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

Delivered to the R.A.F. at Wig Bay, Scotland as ML730 - October 18, 1943

Transferred to the R.A.A.F. and prepared at Mount Batten for delivery to Australia

Departed Mount Batten - January 27, 1944

Routing was via Gibralter-West Africa-Brasil-Caribbean-San Francisco-Honolulu-Pacific Islands-Sydney

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

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Rathmines - May 7, 1944

Delivered to 40 Squadron R.A.A.F. at Townsville - as A26-1 - August 24, 1944

Used the radio callsign 'VHCOA' whilst in service

Stuck by Sunderland A26-5 at Port Morseby, suffering damage to starboard outer engine - August 29, 1944

Repaired to re-enter service

Requisitioned by the Air Board for advertising War Loans - April 1945

Publicity tour last over 1 month with aircraft flown by Battle of Britian pilots who had transferred to 40 Sqn

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Rathmines - December 12, 1945

Withdrawn from service & stored at Rathmines - March 14, 1946

Advertised for sale - June 12, 1946

Sold to B.W. Monkton - October 4, 1946

Registration VH-ARQ was allocated but not taken up - October 4, 1946

Registration VH-BKO was allocated but not taken up - February 24, 1947

Ferried Rathmines-Rose Bay, Sydney using call-sign VHCKR - April 28, 1947

Aircraft did not enter service - was used for spare parts

Remains sold for scrap and broken up at Rose Bay - 1953