A CATALINA flying boat due to make a historical landing in Australia last month remains grounded in Europe.

The Catalina, scheduled to fly into Darwin in late July, is sitting on an airstrip in Bordeaux, France, after a series of hurdles delayed its flight to Australia.

The aircraft was recently purchased by the Sea Plane Pilots' Association (SPPA) and was to be the only fully operational Catalina in Australia.

It was originally tracked down in Portugal before being flown to France, but the association had to wait to change the aircraft's Chilean registration before it could embark on the leg to Australia.

According to Sea Plane Pilots' Association President Philip Dulhunty, delays in the registration changing process, coupled with mechanical difficulties and the growing tension between India and Pakistan have meant the Catalina will remain grounded indefinitely.

Although authorities in Santiago finally changed the registration, which will allow the plane to fly to Australia, the threat of war breaking out in the sub continent prevented the Catalina and its crew from flying the preferred route to Darwin.

Recent problems with the aircraft's hydraulics mean it will be unable to take off at all until repair work can be organised.

Mr Dulhunty said another option would be to take the plane apart and ferry it to Australia via a ship.

"We're planning to make a decision and do something in the next few months," he said.

It was hoped the Catalina could have made an appearance at a reunion of Catalina crew members to be held at Lake Boga in October. Mr Dulhunty, however, said there was a chance the aircraft may not arrive in Australia until November.

By Ben Caddaye