Twenty-eighth Empire boat to be completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

Order placed by Imperial Airways, London

Completed as a S-23 Empire Class boat having 920 h.p. Bristol Pegasus Xc engines

It had an all-up weight of 40,500 lb, cruised at 164 m.p.h. with a range of 760 miles

First flown as G-AEUG - January 1, 1938

Certificate of Registration Issued - January 8, 1938

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - January 8, 1938

Aircraft named 'Coogee' (mist rising from the heart of the water)

Earmarked for delivery to Qantas Empire Airways from outset

Delivered to Qantas Empire Airways - September 1938

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ABC - September 26, 1938

Due to the war emergency it was commandeered by the Royal Australian Air Force - June 8, 1940

Impressed by the R.A.A.F. as A18-12 - June 29, 1940

Assisted with the evacuation of Rabaul - January 1942

Aircraft was destroyed in a landing accident at Townsville during a test flight - February 27, 1942

The entire crew were killed

VH-ABC. Qantas Empire Airways - in the original livery at Southampton, July 1939.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-232.)

VH-ABC. Qantas Empire Airways - in the original livery, location & date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-316.)