World's only airworthy Catalina flying boat heads back to Cambridgeshire after weeks stranded in Loch Ness

A World War II flying boat which was stranded on Loch Ness for six weeks was able to depart back to Cambridgeshire after a dramatic rescue.

The flying boat, named Catalina and nicknamed ‘Miss Pickup’, is the only one in the world to be airworthy.

Generous donors raised £30,000 for the repairs and she was craned back onto the loch, in the Scottish Highlands, before dawn.

After engine checks took place she raced down the loch – the first time a military flying boat has done so since 1945.

The WWII seaplane was winched out of Loch Ness a few weeks ago.

She then landed at Inverness Airport to refuel, before heading back to Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

Pilot Matt Deardon said: “She's flown perfectly which is a huge relief as leaving her here over the winter could have caused serious damage.

“We've been given a fantastic welcome on Loch Ness, the RNLI and the Piermaster Gordon Menzies have been incredible and we're grateful to everybody who contributed to the fundraiser to get her home, and we hope to come back to say thanks again in the future.”

Garry Short, chief engineer, added: “When she wouldn’t start we quickly realised it might be a major problem as the aircraft is very reliable.

“Changing the engine was complex but not too challenging once we had her onshore, but waiting for the right weather to crane her back into the Loch has been key.

“To see her running perfectly today and taking off was a real joy – mission accomplished.”

A documentary, Escape from Loch Ness, will be screened on BBC Alba.

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