Somewhere along the shores of the Saudi coast, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea, lies the wreckage of a Catalina seaplane. Being an aviation enthusiast, I decided to visit this relic, which has rested for over 60 years on the beach of Ras Alsheikh Hamid.
I left in the mid-afternoon to enjoy the beautiful sunset light. From the road, I could already see the Catalina seaplane. Thankfully, no need for a 4×4! The tracks are visible in the sand all the way to the parking area. Since it was still very hot, the place was deserted…
It’s best not to get too close to the wreck… I wonder how long it will be before a part of it breaks off! Especially since a few years ago, visitors were still climbing onto the seaplane.
A sad fate
The plane is a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, an American military seaplane from the 1930s. These planes were used during World War II for missions such as anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and sea rescues. The story begins when Thomas W. Kendall, a retired businessman, bought the plane and converted it into a luxury yacht. In 1960, Kendall took his family on a world tour, accompanied by a photographer from LIFE magazine to document the journey.
On March 22, 1960, Kendall left Egypt and landed near the beach of Ras Al-Sheikh Humaid without authorization. The next day, the Catalina seaplane was targeted by gunfire from the local tribe, who believed it was an enemy aircraft. Fortunately, neither Kendall nor his family were injured. The same can’t be said for the Catalina, which suffered significant damage. The Kendall family was captured and taken to Jeddah. After being questioned, they were eventually released and returned to the United States, leaving the plane behind.
The wreck of the Catalina seaplane
In 1995, photos taken by American photographer Donald Curtis showed the wreck of the Catalina seaplane still in one piece. The interior had already long since deteriorated. Thirty-five years after the incident, the seaplane was already showing the effects of the corrosive environment.
In later photos, the wreck is seen covered in graffiti. During my visit, the Catalina seaplane wreck was in very poor condition. The tail of the plane is now detached from the rest. Fortunately, a fence has been built around the wreck to protect it and deter people from climbing on it. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t prevent people from moving parts of it.
As I wandered a bit further along the coast, I noticed some fossilized corals.
I notice the coast guards patrolling to preserve what remains of the Catalina seaplane. Not much is left of this luxurious flying boat, but it is an integral part of the region’s history.
Update, May 2024
As of May 2024, the wreck of the Catalina seaplane has become harder to access. This is due to nearby construction related to The Line (the 170 km city) in NEOM as well as various developments around the Gulf of Aqaba. Over the past three years and during my many visits, the seaplane has deteriorated due to human activity. I hope that the wreck will be protected in the future to prevent further damage.
