Built for Trans Australia Airlines

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

Registered to Department of Civil Aviation

Ferried to Australia, arriving Melbourne - October 11, 1946

Aircraft was named 'John Gilbert'

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission - November 4, 1946

Entered service with Trans Australia Airlines - November 4, 1946

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

Aircraft was named 'Endeavour'

Returned to Trans Australian Airlines - becoming VH-TAB - February 23, 1949

Aircraft was renamed 'Thomas Mitchell'

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

Leased to Ansett-ANA - September 1959

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

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

Operated under charter to Qantas several times - early 1969

Withdrawn from service and stored at Melbourne - March 31, 1969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 - becoming XV-NUL - February 23, 1970

Eventual fate of this aircraft is unclear

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

(Image 1125-511. Whites Aviation Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-506. Whites Aviation Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-512. Whites Aviation Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-510. Whites Aviation Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-298. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-027. B. Dannecker Collection)

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

(Image 1125-151. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-152. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-155. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-176. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-118. P. J. Gates Collection)

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

(Image 1125-028. B. Dannecker Collection)

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

(Image 1125-004. R. N. Smith Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-029. R. N. Smith Photograph)

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

(Image 1125-030. B. Dannecker Collection)