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Old 02-05-2020, 04:21 AM   #61
Icelander
 
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Iceland*
Default Re: PBY Catalina

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupert View Post
Note that if they only mount the weapon when outside the US, the FAA has no jurisdiction anyway. On the other hand, if they fly round international waters so armed, and then go and annoy some FAA (or other law enforcement) official, they might find themselves labelled 'pirates' and locked up. Getting permission to have guns mounted in the Antilles in general will be a nightmare, given how many different countries' hold territory there.
Yep.

I'd think that formally getting permission was far too difficult. Now, having law enforcement on Dominica and St. Lucia tacitly agree not to make trouble is another matter...

In the continental United States, owning and operating vintage WWII 'Warbirds' is a pretty accepted hobby for well-off enthusiasts, complete with air shows and a thriving subculture around it.

I wonder if there would be any interest in that sort of thing in the Caribbean?

For example, if Kessler acquired and refurbished a PBY-5A Catalina that was once a part of VP-92, stationed in the Antilles or some other part of the Caribbean, could he plausibly have a local equivalent to the Commemorative Air Force?

How about on Puerto Rico, which is under US authority, but culturally distinct from most of CONUS?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupert View Post
I doubt it would in be better for much of anything, except where the Short is too big (and then you'd use a Goose or Otter or some such) unless a large amphibious flying boat was needed. I just mentioned it because it has those big, obvious gun blisters.
So, to you, the Catalina would be more interesting in its wartime configuration than in the classy-as-copulation Landseaire Golden Age of Travel luxury get-up?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupert View Post
The thing about the Sandringham is that it's spacious enough that lots of kit can be carried (it's weight, not bulk limited), and it could be fitted out with bunks and kitchen facilities allowing both very long flights in some comfort and using it as a base when exploring remote locations. On the other hand, having one of those things pull up to the island you've put your secret cultists' temple on is going to be a fairly unmissable event, as they are not at all subtle (though neither is a Catalina).
If you need subtle and don't mind slow, you probably want to use a mid-sized yacht as your base.

The Sandringham is pretty good for Kessler's purposes in that it can take a whole team of 'Night Riders' (Monster Hunters) from the US to a Caribbean island (or vice versa) in about half a day (rather than 4+ days on a fast yacht) while still being anachronistic enough so that there is some chance that he might get those of his men who are magicians (e.g. the PCs) to step foot on it.

It can deliver the team somewhere close to the target destination, without actually being at it, and maybe rendezvous with a boat or small yacht that has been locally chartered (or that Kessler happened to have access to nearby).

I imagine that outside of situations where Kessler needs to get 12+ guys with serious occult leanings between the Antilles and the Gulf Coast relatively quickly, the Sandringham spends its time being pampered in a hangar and probably being displayed alongside some Grumman Geese as a living history exhibit, dedicated to aviation in the Antilles.

Hell, let's say Kessler bought more than just the planes from the estate of Antilles Air Boats. He can have bought the livery and rights too, to use as cover, and because he is genuinely interested in the history of seaplanes in the Caribbean. So he can operate Antilles Air Boats (having bought four Grumman Geese and one Sandringham) as a fairly exclusive, reservations required, living history museum, mostly kept on St. Lucia and Dominica, but visiting other Antillean destinations periodically.

It will lose money, obviously, but it's not all that implausible an endeavour for a billionaire who has had a home on these islands since the airline actually was in operation. Especially given that real people have tried to do this (but not being billionaires, are still stuck at the fund-raising stage).

Edit: This reveals a pretty obvious role for a PBY-5A Catalina even if Kessler also owns a Short S.25 Sandringham. The Sandringham is stored on the islands in the Antilles where Kessler has retreats and many allies living locally while the Catalina lives in Galveston/Houston. So if necessary, occultists in his employ can always travel between them in less than 24 hours, without needing to wait to be picked up.
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Last edited by Icelander; 02-05-2020 at 04:28 AM.
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