The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will honor the American Heritage Museum’s Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina at the annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Dec. 11, 2026.
The aircraft is currently on display in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Eagle Hangar in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Attendees will dine near the aircraft while Rob Collings, executive director and chief pilot of the Collings Foundation, speaks about the historic flying boat and its restoration process.
Built in 1941 as one of the earliest PBY-5As, the aircraft flew anti-submarine patrol and air-sea rescue missions during World War II, earning a combat record that included 3.5 U-boat kills, according to EAA officials. The aircraft was also awarded the Grand Champion WWII Lindy award at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
Collings has been with the Collings Foundation for more than 30 years and directed the restoration of the PBY Catalina among dozens of other historic aircraft, automobiles, and military vehicles in the foundation’s collection.
EAA’s annual banquet commemorates the Wright brothers’ first powered flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903. Tickets are $85 for EAA members and $100 for non-members.
For more information: EAA.org
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