Ordered new by Trans Australia Airlines

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TAB - August 28, 1946

Registered to Department of Civil Aviation

Accepted by Trans Australia Airlines at Burbank - October 7, 1946

Departed Burbank on delivery flight to Australia - October 12, 1946

Arrived Melbourne at conclusion of delivery flight - October 15, 1946

Established a record flight time of 38 hours 13 minutes for the trans-Pacific crossing

Flight crew: Capt J.B. Chastian (Douglas); Capt C.O. Dowie (TAA)

Known passengers: J.L. Watkins (T.A.A.); R. Baer (United Aircraft Services); Hannan, Greenhill (civilians)

Aircraft was named 'Thomas Mitchell'

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission - November 4, 1946

Operated first revenue service with Trans Australia Airlines - November 4, 1946

Leased to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines - April 30, 1948 to February 23, 1949

Reregistered as VH-BPB

Aircraft was renamed 'Endeavour'

Returned to Trans Australian Airlines and reregistered as VH-TAB - February 23, 1949

Aircraft was renamed 'John Gilbert'

Converted to passenger / freighter configuration by T.A.A. - 1959

Leased to Ansett-ANA - September 1959

Operated in basic T.A.A. livery with red Ansett-ANA titles applied to cabin roof

After lease it was repainted in full T.A.A. livery and renamed 'David Collins'

Operated under charter to Qantas several times - early 1969

Withdrawn from service and stored at Melbourne's Essendon Airport - March 31, 1969

Sold to Flying Tiger Line but not registered to them - October 17, 1969

Departed Melbourne on ferry flight to Saigon, Vietnam - October 1969

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 21, 1969

Sold to Air Vietnam - February 23, 1970

Entered onto the Vietnamese Aircraft Register as XV-NUL

Eventual fate of this aircraft is unclear

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in original livery at Whenuapai Airport, February 1947.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in original livery at Whenuapai Airport, February 1947.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in original livery at Whenuapai Airport, May 1947.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in white cabin roof livery at Essendon Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in early white cabin roof livery at Sydney Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in early white cabin roof livery at Melbourne Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - in early white cabin roof livery at Melbourne Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAB. Trans Australia Airlines - early white cabin roof livery at Brisbane Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAB. Ansett-ANA - in basic TAA livery at Melbourne Airport, September 1959.

VH-TAB. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - in the 'white tail' livery, location & date unknown.

VH-TAB. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - in the 'white tail' livery at RAAF Richmond, July 1967.

VH-TAB. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - in the 'white tail' livery at Melbourne Airport, July 1968.

VH-TAB. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - in the 'white tail' livery at Melbourne Airport, January 1969.

VH-TAB. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - in the 'white tail' livery at Sydney Airport, January 1969.