G-AGTI. Consolidated Vultee LB32-3 Liberator. c/n 39.

Was also registered as: VH-EAL.

The original order was placed by the United States Army Air Force - ?

Constructed by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, USA - October 1941

Allocated to the Royal Air Force - October 1941

Taken 'on-charge' by the Royal Air Force at Dorval, Canada - October 22, 1941

It was allocated the RAF serial number 'AL541'

Departed Canada (Dorval) on its ferry flight to the United Kingdom - October 29 1941

It arrived at Scotland (Prestwick) on completion of its ferry flight - November 03, 1941

Ferry route: Dorval - Monkton - Gander - Prestwick

Handed-over to Scotish Aviation at Prestwick for 'entry-into-service' maintenance - November 03, 1941

Issued to RAF 29 Maintenance Unit at Hi Ercall - November 07, 1941

Returned to Scottish Aviation (Prestwick) for Bomber Command modifications - March 29, 1942

Departed Preswick on delivery to RAF 1445 Flight - June 23, 1942

Issued to RAF 301 Ferry Training Unit - November 03, 1942

Returned to Scotish Aviation (Prestwick) - December 14, 1942

No work was undertaken on the aircraft and it was returned to No 1445 Flight - ? 1942

Issued to RAF 159 Squadron - April 30, 1943

It participated in the last RAF 159 Squadron bomber operation - July 30, 1943

Transferred to India for use as a General Freight aircraft - October 1943

Returned to Scotish Aviation (Prestwick) - April 06, 1945

Overhauled / modified by Scottish Aviation for use as a passenger transport

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AGTI (CofR 9713/1) - September 25, 1945

Registered to British Overseas Airways Corporation, London

Handed-over to BOAC for Indian Ocean passenger transport services - October 08, 1945

Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) were to opertate these services

Returned to Scotish Aviation (Prestwick) for modifications to BOAC passenger accommodation - November 15, 1945

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA No 7276) issued to BOAC - November 26, 1945

Departed Prestwick on its delivery flight to Australia - November 29, 1945

It arrived at Sydney having completed its delivery flight - August 13, 1944

Delivery route: Prestwick - Rabat - Cairo - Karachi - Ratmalana - Perth - Sydney

Entered service operating Sydney - Learmonth - Negombo - December 14, 1945

Final service operating Sydney - Perth - Cocos Island - Negombo - March 30 - 31, 1946

Commenced operations Sydney - Darwin - Singapore - May 05 - 06, 1946

The aircraft was withdrawn from service and handed to the Commonwealth Disposals Commission - June ?, 1946

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) lapsed - November 25, 1946

Sold to Qantas Empire Airways Limited - June 26, 1947

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAI - June 26, 1947

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney

Cancelled from the British Aircraft Register - July 02, 1947

It was utilised by QEA to transport spare engines to support their Lockheed Constellation fleet

Also utilised for general freight operations within Australia

Withdrawn from use and scrapped at Sydney (Mascot) - August ?, 1950

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 11, 1950

It is unknown if the forward fuselage of 'VH-EAI' or 'VH-EAJ' was converted into a mobile 'fish & chip' van

Said van was observed operating in the French's Forest area of Sydney up until late 1955

To view the Operations Movement Record for 'VH-EAI' please click 'HERE'

G-AGTI. Qantas Empire Airways - in the standard livery at Perth Guildford Airport, date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1950-065.)