Among them are avionics technicians, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, carpenters and electricians.

There’s even a photographer, a model plane enthusiast, and a school deputy principal.

“There’s a job for everybody here,” retired Qantas pilot Bill Anderson said.

Mr Anderson is president of the Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association, the group driving the ambitious project.

The plan is for the restored Catalina to form the static centrepiece of a memorial and museum at Rathmines Park.

In October, Mr Anderson made an appeal through the Lakes Mail for more locals to volunteer to work on the painstaking restoration, and he was rapt with the response.

“We got about 10 calls, and from those calls six blokes have joined our small team,” he said.

Among the new recruits were Steve Walters and Reg Baty.

Mr Walters, of Bonnells Bay, retired in 1997 after 21 years as a structural fitter with the Royal Australian Air Force.

His new work environment, at the back of a property at Kilaben Bay, is different to what he was used to in the air force, but he said it was satisfying work, nonetheless.

“In the air force we had a full workshop and all the tools and supplies,” Mr Walters said. “But we’re down to just the basics here.”

Mr Walters volunteers to work on the Catalina on Wednesdays, and said he looked forward to it.

“I’ve got my hand back in, they’re a good bunch of blokes, and there’s camaraderie here,” he said.

He urged other locals to join the team.

“It’s a chance for people to get their hand back in, and to feel useful while working on a worthwhile project.

“We’re not getting her ready to fly again, but she’s got to look good, and appearance-wise we want her to look the same [as a flying Catalina].”

Mr Baty, of Wangi Wangi, is a retired electrician by trade, but those skills aren’t required on the Catalina.

“I’m working here as a general hand. If the blokes want something done, I get in and give them a hand to get it done,” he said.

He’s recently helped to pull the landing gear out of the aircraft so that it could be resprayed. He’s also helped with the removal of the nose wheel assembly area.

Mr Baty said he was drawn to get involved because he saw great potential for Lake Macquarie in the project envisioned by the RCMPA.

“Besides, there’s only so many times you can mow the lawn each week when you’re retired, right?” he said.

He also revealed he had a childhood connection with the aircraft.

At age 3, his parents took him for a flight in a Catalina from Grafton to Brisbane.

“I can still remember the noisy take-off, sitting in the front seats and looking up to see the pilots [at the controls],” he said.

Mr Baty said volunteers were made to feel welcome, and their input was valued.

“They’re a great bunch of blokes. There’s a lot of experience here, and everyone has the same purpose,” he said.

Mr Anderson said the restoration was progressing well, and the group had acquired some important components and pieces of machinery to facilitate the work.

The Catalina is a PBY5-A.

“That means it is an amphibious craft. The under-carriage allows it to land on water or on a runway,” he said.

The aircraft’s components were being removed for cleaning and painting before they were restored, he said.

“In the flight deck, the instruments have been taken out and are being restored.”

Painting has begun, thanks to generous support from companies Valspar, Autolac and Anest Iwata Australia who, between them, have donated paint, spray equipment, tools and consumables.

“That’s a really big bonus for us,” Mr Anderson said. “We want to recognise them for their generosity.” 

Work on the Catalina occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

While the greatest demand on the project was for sheet metal workers, Mr Anderson said people with any trades skill would be valued.

“There’s also some IT work and we do need some marketing people to come on board to facilitate the awareness of the project and some social functions that we’d like to have.”

Mr Anderson said the project remained on track for completion in 2020.

“But I’d like to see work added to another day of the week, if we can. To progress this project, we need to up the work rate,” he said.

Apart from work on the Catalina restoration, the RCMPA was also working on a documented history of the project, and educational aspects of the final display.

Phone Mr Anderson on 0418 770400, or email president@rathmines-catalina.com. Visit the website rathmines-catalina.com.