VH-BFX. Short S-25 Sunderland Mk III. c/n SB.3554.

 

Built by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent as a Sunderland Mk III - 1943

Delivered to the Royal Air Force at Wig Bay, Scotland as ML732 - October 15, 1943

It was transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force and prepared at Mount Batten for delivery to Australia

Departed Mount Batten on the ferry flight to Australia - January 27, 1944

Delivery route: Gibralter - West Africa - Brasil - Caribbean - San Francisco - Honolulu - Pacific Islands - Sydney

Received by Qantas at Sydney (Rose Bay) for overhaul prior to entering service - March 15, 1944

Entered onto the Australian Military Aircraft Register as A26-3

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Newcastle (Rathmines) - April 27, 1944

Delivered to 40 Squadron R.A.A.F. at Townsville - September 30, 1944

It used the radio callsign 'VHCOC' whilst in service

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Newcastle (Rathmines) - February 08, 1946

It was withdrawn from service and stored at Newcastle (Rathmines) - March 14, 1946

Advertised for sale - June 12, 1946

Sold to B.W. Monkton - October 04, 1946

The registration 'VH-BFX' was allocated but it was not taken up - October 04, 1946

The registration 'VH-BKP' was allocated but it was not taken up - January 1947

Ferried Newcastle (Rathmines) - Sydney (Rose Bay) using the call-sign 'VHCKS' - January 27, 1947

This aircraft did not enter service and was used for spare parts

The remains were sold for scrap and it was broken up at Sydney (Rose Bay) - 1953