Flying on film: PBY explores the Nile (pt.1)

[beaky]

I always loved the Cousteau programs that aired back in the 70s, and it definitely helped form my understanding of ecology and the world itself.
But I'd forgotten, until I rented one of the DVDs, about this one, where they took their Catalina on a 1978 grand tour of the Nile River, from its source all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, landing several times enroute to explore and study the effects of development on the whole Nile ecosystem.
Here are some caps; hope the PBY lovers out there enjoy them!

A bit out of sequence here we see this grand airplane taking off from the river.





Above the pyramids of Giza...

     


The complete Cousteau toy collection: airplane, boat, and chopper.

     



     I think this would make a terrific paint for MSFS... she looks great in that livery.






     



     


PIC for the trip was Philippe Cousteau (Senior), one of Jacque's sons...

     


And here's the old man himself- I've always admired this gentleman. Resistance fighter, inventor of the aqualung, scientist, naturalist, activist. He is sitting in one of the waist blisters, looking aft.


     



This will be quite an adventure... welcome aboard!!

Next: part 2

[Xyn_Air]

Wow.  Thanks for posting these pictures!  What an adventure that must have been.  I, too, remember watching various specials with Jacque Cousteau when I was much, much younger.  Between his shows and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, I definitely grew up with an affinity for the natural world and its conservation.

I must say, that Catalina is absolutely gorgeous!  Talk about a wonderful aircraft designed for pure adventure!  Thanks, again, for sharing these wonderful pictures!