The Catalina being escorted over RAF Manston by a Nimrod, its modern submarine-hunting counterpart from RAF St Mawgan.

Planesailing's recently acquired PBY-5A Catalina flying in formation with the BBMF Avro Lancaster on Wednesday, April 24 this year. Carrying the RAF serial number JV928, the Catalina has been painted to represent the 210 Squadron aircraft flown by Fg Off J. A Cruickshank VC

The colour photograph was taken by ARTHUR GIBSON/IMAGE IN INDUSTRY on April 24, 1985, the day of the Catalina’s CAA certification flight, when its new paint scheme was barely dry. The BBMF’s Lancaster lurks in the background.

The photograph was taken by ARTHUR GIBSON/IMAGE IN INDUSTRY on April 24, 1985, the day of the Catalina’s CAA certification flight, when its new paint scheme was barely dry.

ARTHUR GIBSONS picture was taken as the Catalina arrived over the South Coast from South Africa.

Catalina G-BLSC nears journey's end on February 20, 1985.