The Abandoned Consolidated PBY Catalina Seaplane of Saudi Arabia

One of the most visited tourist destinations of Saudi Arabia is the PBY Catalina sea wreck located at Ras Al-Sheik Hameed, in the Tabuk region. The beaches of Ras Al-Sheik Hameed are spectacularly beautiful and offer a great sight to the Sinai Mountains located in Egypt, just 30 km apart. Although the area is uninhabited and is about 1000km from Jeddah, The country's commercial centre, It does offer an incredibly rich marine life and is the westernmost point of mainland Saudi.

History of the PBY Catalina 

The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat developed in the 1930 -1940s and was widely used during World War II. As of today, around 3308 were built, of which 2661 were Built only in the U.S. 

The aircraft was originally developed to locate and attack transport vessels and ships at sea, i.e a patrol bomber, Thus the name PB- patrol bomber and Y being the code assigned as its manufacturer. Moreover, Since such crafts had an advantage of landing at sea, the transportations of supplies and ammunition for troops were therefore carried over by so long-range flying boats.

With several countries using it for military and other purposes, Qantas Empire Airways PBY Catalina's flew commercial passengers from Suva to Sydney, during 1943 - 1945, The longest commercial flights of that time. 

Why is it in Saudi Arabia?

During 1960, Mr. Thomas Kendall, a retired businessman, with his luxury converted Catalina PBY, registration N5593V, landed on the sandy coast of Ras Al-Sheik Hameed, with his wife and children. 

On the following day's after anchoring the flying yacht, they were ambushed by bedouins of the Saudi Arabian army, who mistakenly believed it to be a military attack. The firing lasted for about 30-40mins, to which Mr. Thomas and his family were able to swim back to the aircraft, but with him being wounded, managed to move it just 800 meters. 

After being captured by the Bedouins, Mr. Thomas and his family were eventually taken to Jeddah, endlessly interrogated and set free, with the help of the American ambassador, Mr. Donald R. Heath.

About 60 years from the incident, the plane sits empty on the seashore, weather helping it deteriorate faster. The 300 shots fired on 22nd march 1960, are striking and very evident if you pay a closer look at the wreck.

Although it is still a relic, it was featured in the SOS Pacific movie, released in 1959 featuring Richard Attenborough.

Reference 

The ArtificialOwl, Abandoned Catalina seaplane: 50 years between the sea and the desert, Viewed on 12th Nov 2020