This aircraft was built by Canadian Vickers as an OA-10A Catalina

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force as '44-34081' - ?

Transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force - ?

Deemed to be surplus to requirements it was 'struck-off-charge' - 1946

Sold to Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd - 1946

Entered onto the Hong Kong Aircraft Register as VR-HDH

Sold to Macau Air Transport - ?

Sold to Trans Australia Airlines to replace the Catalina VH-WWC - July 06, 1962

Arrived Sydney (Bankstown) in the TAA Sunbird livery for overhaul by Hawker de Havilland

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-SBV - October 31, 1962

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne

Departed Sydney (Bankstown) on the ferry flight to New Guinea - November 01, 1962

The aircraft's ndercarriage was removed at the Marine Base Port Moresby and the openings were faired over

Operated first revenue service - November 05, 1962

Operated final revenue service Port Moresby - Kerema (Captain J. Simmler) - January 05, 1966

Retired and placed in open storage at the Marine Base, Port Moresby as being unairworthy

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - May 12, 1966

The engines were removed and it was offered for sale but there were no buyers

It was then intended to be display in the planned Air Museum at Port Moresby but this did not eventuate

It was extensively damaged by vandals and trainee firefighters over the following years

The remains were acquired by the MoTaT, Auckland, New Zealand - 1975

Dismantled and shipped to Auckland - September 1975

Placed on display at the MoTaT, Auckland - 1976 to 1986

It was moved to the RNZAF Museum for much needed restoration to static display condition - 1987

Aircraft will be restored to represent an Royal New Zealand Air Force Catalina

Current

VR-HDH. Macau Air Transport - in the standard livery at Hong Kong Airport, circa 1959.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-185.)

VR-HDH. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Hong Kong Airport, July 1962.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-186.)

VH-SBV. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, October 1962.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-188.)

VH-SBV. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, October 1962.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-199.)

VH-SBV. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Normanby Island, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-187.)

VH-SBV. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Fairfax Harbour, Port Moresby, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-189.)