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 ML731 - October 7, 1943

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

Departed Mount Batten - February 14, 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 21, 1944

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Rathmines - May 29, 1944

Delivered to 40 Squadron R.A.A.F. at Townsville - as A26-2 - July 1, 1944

Used the radio callsign 'VHCOB' whilst in service

Sustained damage to hull when it dragged its moorings at Cairns - March 4, 1946

Ferried to No 2 F.B.R.D. at Rathmines - March 19, 1946

Withdrawn from service & stored at Rathmines

Aircraft declared unserviceable following severe hail storm - April 25, 1946

Advertised for sale - June 12, 1946

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

Ferried Rathmines-Rose Bay, Sydney - March 5, 1947

Converted to 'Hythe' standard - seating 36 passengers on twin decks

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BKQ - November 5, 1949

Registered to Trans Oceanic Airways Ltd

Aircraft was named 'Pacific Star'

Operated its first T.O.A. commercial service - Sydney-Grafton - November 7, 1949

Operated the inaugural Sydney-Hobart service (Capts B Monkton & K. Goddard) - August 16, 1950

Operated inauguarl Sydney-Brisbane-Townsville-Port Moresby service (Capt Mathieson) - October 29, 1950

Lost port outer propeller & reduction gear on Sydney-Grafton service - April 16, 1951

Returned to Sydney & was withdrawn from service

Repairs were abandoned & it was officially withdrawn from use - June 28, 1951

Scrapped at Rose Bay, Sydney - used for parts

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - June 28, 1954