It was just one of several highlights at the seventh annual Rathmines Catalina Festival, now one of the biggest air shows in NSW.

An estimated crowd of 10,000 attended the festival at Rathmines Park, and event co-ordinator Nicole Charlesworth said it's only going to get bigger.

While the Black Catalina was the major drawcard, the crowd was impressed with the aerobatics of former Morisset boy and now Red Bull Racing pilot Matt Hall.

The AP-3C Orion from No 11 Squadron was another popular attraction with a local connection - the No 11 Squadron was stationed at Rathmines during World War II.

It wasn't all about the planes. There was live music, amusement rides, market stalls and vintage cars on display.

The petting zoo proved popular with both children and adults.

The hot conditions may have kept some of the crowd away, but it was the fast-approaching storm that had Catalina Festival chairman Terry Woolard apprehensive.

"We were really pleased the conditions held out," he said.

The festival committee was very happy with the event and had received plenty of positive feedback from the community, Mr Woolard said.

The money raised at the festival will be put towards the proposed Rathmines Flying Boat Museum.

The committee hopes to use some of the funds to import the second half of a static Catalina from Costa Rica, in December, which would later be displayed in the proposed museum.