G-AGKT. Consolidated Vultee LB32-3 Liberator Mk II. c/n 117.

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

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

This aircraft was retained by the USAF following the Japanese invasion of Perl Harbour, Hawaii - 1941

Delivered to MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida for storage - December 11, 1941

Allocated to the Royal Air Force - ?, 1942

Taken 'on-charge' by the Royal Air Force at Dorval, Canada - April 23, 1942

It was allocated the RAF serial number 'AL619'

Departed Canada (Dorval) on its ferry flight to the United Kingdom - May 14, 1942

It arrived at Scotland (Prestwick) on completion of its ferry flight - May 17, 1942

Ferry route: Dorval - Gander - Prestwick

Handed-over to Scotish Aviation at Prestwick for 'entry-into-service' preparations - May 17, 1942

Issued to RAF Flight 1653 Conversion Unit - September 01, 1942

The aircraft was badly damaged (no details available) - September 09, 1942

Delivered by road to Scotish Aviation less engines and propellers for 'Category B' repairs - September 30, 1942

It was decided to convert this aircraft to a 'passenger' configuration during the repair process

Repairs and conversion completed - April 25, 1944

Issued to RAF 511 Squadron, Lyneham - April 28, 1944

Handed-over to British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) for Indian Ocean services

Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) were to opertate these services

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AGKT (CofR 9524/1) - May 09, 1944

Registered to British Overseas Airways Corporation, London

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA No 7070) issued to BOAC - May 21, 1944

Departed Lyneham on its delivery flight to Australia - May 24, 1944

Flight crew: BOAC Captain O. P. Jones

To view the complete Operations Movement Record for this aircraft please click 'HERE'

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) renewed - June 28, 1945

From November 1945 the Liberator fleet was based at Sydney Airport

All services to Ceylon originated from Sydney

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) expired - June 27, 1946

The aircraft was withdrawn from service and handed to the Commonwealth Disposals Commission

It was advertised for sale but was broken-up at Sydney

Cancelled from the British Aircraft Register - December 04, 1947

Part of the aircraft's fuselage was converted into a crude caravan at Sydney (Burwood) by Mr N. Wilson

It was towed to Dungog (N.S.W.) for use as a hut for rabbit trappers

G-AGKT. Qantas Empire Airways - in the wartime livery at Perth Guilford Airport, April 18, 1944.

(P. Sheehan Collection Copyright Image 1950-189.)

G-AGKT. Qantas Empire Airways - in the wartime livery at Perth Guilford Airport, date unknown.

(P. Sheehan Collection Copyright Image 1950-190.)

G-AGKT. Qantas Empire Airways - in the revised livery at Perth Guilford Airport, September 1945.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1950-063.)

G-AGKT. Qantas Empire Airways - in the revised livery at Perth Guilford Airport, September 1945.

Left to Right: F/O Robert J. Fairservice; Captain Robert J. Ritchie; S/O Kiernan; N/O Corten; R/O Shirley; F/S Taylor.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1950-191.)

G-AGKT. Qantas Empire Airways - in the revised livery at Perth Guilford Airport, September 1945.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1950-067.)