Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
2 June 2018 © David Eyre
Aviation Association of WA Inc was invited to watch Red Baron Seaplanes flying their Grumman Sea Cat, VH-KKD, on scenic flights over the Swan River.
The aircraft is flown by Werner Buhlmann, a highly experienced pilot with over 18,000 flying hours in 150 different types of aircraft.
He normally flies corporate jets for a living, but is often involved in coordinating air shows. He enjoys the opportunity to promote aviation and share the passion of flying with others.
Werner said that the aircraft handling is not greatly affected by the floats
Based at Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, the company advertises scenic flights on its website, with a maximum of two passengers (must not exceed a combined weight of 200kg). Seats are sold per flight, not per seat/passenger.
Flights options are:
- Perth to Fremantle – 20 minutes
- Perth to Rottnest fly over – 40 minutes
- Perth to Rottnest & Garden Island – 60 minutes
History of VH-KKD
The aircraft was was built in 1964 (MSN 286) as a G-164A Ag-Cat crop sprayer, and registered in the USA as N724Y.
It was registered in Australia as VH-KKD on 8 June 1989, and modified for sightseeing flights. The chemical hopper in front of the pilot was removed and replaced with two passenger seats. VH-KKD is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine.
In 1992, the aircraft was converted to a Sea-Cat, with the tailwheel landing gear replaced by floats.
VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, which has a Jacobs R-755 engine. (This was confirmed with the pilot who performed the movie flying).
In early March 2016, VH-KKD was dismantled, placed on a trailer and transported by road to Perth, where it was reassembled.
On 21 and 25 March 2016, the aircraft conducted trial flights from the Swan River, in front of the Barrack Street Jetty, landing and taking off, flying southwest down the Swan River, over Fremantle and back to Perth.
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Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016. It spends 6 months in Perth and 6 months in Townsville, operating scenic flights.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
Operates commercial sightseeing flights. Built in 1964 as an Ag-Cat crop sprayer, registered N724Y. In 1989, it was imported into Australia and registered VH-KKD. The chemical hopper was removed and two passenger seats were installed. In 1992, it was converted to a seaplane ‘Sea-Cat’. VH-KKD was used in the 1996 movie ‘The Phantom’, together with another Sea-Cat, VH-CCK, with filming taking place in north Queensland. In 2006, it was acquired by Red Baron Seaplanes and based in Townsville, QLD and was moved by road to Perth in March 2016.
