After lots of speculation, Rathmines will soon be home to a Catalina once again.

A PBY6A Catalina that was being restored in Portugal is on its way home after of months of stalled hopes.

The rising price of fuel had blown out the cost of bringing home the Catalina to around $150,000 but there are plans now in place to have it home by Christmas.

It arrived in Bombay on November 24, and will now make several more stopovers before coming to Australia.

The Catalina was most famously used during World War II and was known for its ability to both take off and land in water and on the land.

During the war, Rathmines was the world’s largest flying-boat base in the world.

They would take off from the base at Rathmines to take part in long-range bombing missions, fighter strikes, mine laying, and air-sea rescue and reconnaissance missions.

More than 300 Australian Catalina aircrew did not return from their missions, many had flown out of Rathmines on their final mission.

The Catalina was to be flown back in last year but it suffered engine failure during one of its test flights in November 2008, prior to its ferry-flight home.

Rathmines resident of 31 years, Joseph Brookes, was worried the Catalina may never get here.

Mr Brookes said it had been a long and rocky flight to get one of the sea planes back permanently.

He recalled a Catalina being exhibited at the Toronto Trade Fair in the 80s, with the idea that it would permanently reside along banks near Rathmines Bowling Club.

But that idea was quashed after the war plane toured Australia and it was returned to the US.

“It was supposed be housed, fully enclosed, as a museum piece.

“But I think it was sold to the US Navy museum in San Diego.”