Built by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent as a Sunderland Mk III - 1944

Delivered to Royal Air Force as ML814 at Wig Bay, Stranraer, Scotland

Received by No. 57 Maintenance Unit, Wig Bay - March 25, 1944

Issued to No 201 Squadron R.A.F. at Castle Archdale (Pembroke Dock) - April 24, 1944

Issued to No 422 Squadron R.C.A.F. at Pembroke Dock - December 1, 1944

Issued to No 330 Squadron Norwegian Air Force at Sullom Voe, Scotland - April 18, 1945

Converted to Sunderland GR 5

Withdrawn from use and stored at Wig Bay, Scotland - November 21, 1945

Transferred to Short Bros & Harland for refurbishment - 1953

Sold to the R.N.Z.A.F. - becoming NZ4108 - May 26, 1953

Departed on delivery flight - May 28, 1953

Arrived Mechanics Bay, Auckland at conclusion of delivery flight - June 13, 1953

Withdrawn from use and stored at Hobsonville, Auckland - 1959

Struck-off-charge having flown 1,076 hours - December 12, 1963

Sold to Ansett Flying Boat Services Pty Ltd to replace VH-BRE - December 1963

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BRF - December 13, 1963

Arrived Rose Bay, Sydney on delivery flight - (Capt S. Middlemiss & L. Maundrell) - December 18, 1963

Converted to near Sandringham standard by Ansett at Rose Bay, Sydney - seating 42 passengers

Conversion complete and rolled out of hangar - September 26, 1964

Aircraft was named 'Islander' by Mr C.A. Kelly - September 27, 1964

First flown in its new guise - September 28, 1964

Operated its first commercial service with Ansett - Sydney-Lord Howe-Sydney - October 9, 1964

Damaged whilst at Lord Howe Island when it was blown ashore after breaking mooring - May 31, 1965

Tempory repairs made at Lord Howe before aircraft was ferried to Sydney for permanent repairs

Returned to service - June 11, 1965

Chartered to Queensland Airlines Pty Ltd - September 12 to October 8, 1965

Used on the Brisbane (Redland Bay) - Gladstone service whilst Gladstone Airport runway was upgraded

This service was operated daily expect Sunday

Suffered inflight wing damage - broken stringers in starboard wing - January 21, 1966

Escorted to Sydney by Ansett-ANA Electra undertaking pilot training

Encountered C.A.T. whilst on flight Sydney-Lord Howe injuring 2 crew - October 7, 1968

Registered to Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd - February 24, 1970

Registered to Ansett Flying Boat Services - July 30, 1973

Operated its intended final Ansett service to Lord Howe Island - May 1974

Entered hangar at Rose Bay for refurbishment and painting in Antilles Air Boats livery

Returned to Ansett service following the grounding of VH-BRC on Lord Howe - June 13, 1974

Aircraft was operated in a basic white livery devoid of all titles

Operated its final Ansett service - Sydney-Lord-Howe Island-Sydney - August 15, 1974

Beached at Rose Bay for final time to complete predelivery preparations - August 21, 1974

Sold to Antilles Air Boats, Virgin Islands - becoming N158J - September 10, 1974

Aircraft was named 'Excalibur VIII'

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - September 24, 1974

Had flown 6,142 hours - including 750 trips to Lord Howe Island

Departed Sydney at 1715 on delivery flight - Capts L. Maundrell & C. Blair - September 25, 1974

Cabin service was provided by Capt Blair's wife - actress Maureen O'Hara

Due to U.S. certification problems this aircraft only operated 1 service with Antilles - January 15, 1975

Placed in storage at Isla Grande, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sold to Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - May 1979

Departed Isla Grande of delivery flight to Calshot, England (Capt R. Gillies) - May 17, 1979

Aircraft was renamed 'Juliet' - November 12, 1980

Entered onto the U.K. Aircraft Register as G-BJHS - September 11, 1981

Ferried to Marseilles for conversion work & storage

Flown from Calshot to Chatham and was renamed 'Sir Arthur Gouge'- November 1984

An extended overhaul was undertaken - but it sustain damage during wind storm - October 16, 1987

A replacement wing was obtain from the Imperial War Museum aircraft ML796

Test flown - July 6, 1989

U.K. Certificate of Airworthiness granted - August 2, 1989

Leased to Ryanair, repainted and renamed 'Spirit of Foynes' August 3, 1989

Renamed 'Islander' - 1990

Sold to Kermit Weeks - Weeks Air Museum, Miami, Florida - September 24, 1991

Departed Southampton on its delivery flight - July 20, 1993

Delivery route - Lough Derg-Reykjavik-Goose Bay- Lake Ontario-Oshkosh-Lakes Agnes (Orlando)

Renamed 'Fantasy of Flight' after the theme-park at Polk City, Florida

Cancelled from the U.K. Aircraft Register - August 12, 1993

Entered onto the U.S. Aircraft Register as N814ML - September 16, 1993

No longer airworthy - on display at Fantasy of Flight Museum, Miami, Florida

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-192.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-127.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-193.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Anset. 2545-194.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-195.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in basic RNZAF livery arriving at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-196.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. Capts S. Middlemiss & L. Maundrell on arrival at Rose Bay, December 18, 1963.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-126.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undergoing conversion to civilian airliner, March 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-128.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undergoing conversion to civilian airliner, January 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-129.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undergoing conversion to civilian airliner, 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-130.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undergoing conversion to civilian airliner, 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-131.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undergoing conversion to civilian airliner, 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-132.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - inside the completed tail cone, August 1964.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-133.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. - inside the hull as conversion to a twin-deck airliner commences, January 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-179.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - the upstairs bar as fitted for special charter flights, August 1964.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-178.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - new seating in the lower deck, looking forward, August 1964.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-139.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - undertaking its post conversion test flight at Sydney, September 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-197.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in the dock at Rose Bay Sydney, November 1964.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-134.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the beach at Lord Howe Island, May 31, 1965.

(J. Wilson Collection. 2545-300.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the beach at Lord Howe Island, June 1965.

(J. Wilson Collection. 2545-301.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - returning Islander to the water at Lord Howe Island, June 1965.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-302.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - arriving at Rose Bay Sydney in the late afternoon, July 1967.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-198.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being docked at Rose Bay Sydney, July 1967.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-199.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - riding the buoy at Rose Bay Sydney, December 1967.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-200.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - in the dock at Rose Bay Sydney, January 1968.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-307.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the ramp at Rose Bay Sydney, January 1969.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-135.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the ramp at Rose Bay Sydney, October 1969.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-147.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - repainted in the new colors at Rose Bay Sydney, August 1970.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-143.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Rose Bay Sydney, December 1970.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-039.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Lake Eucumbene, November 1971.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-136.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - close-up of 'Islander' nose at Rose Bay, November 1971.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-137.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - departing Rose Bay Sydney, December 1971.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-191.)

Ansett Flying Boat Services - commemorative sticker issued in 1972.

(R. N. Smith Collection via Ansett. 2545-215.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Lake Eucumbene, December 1972.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-145.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Lake Eucumbene, December 1972.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-146.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Lake Eucumbene, December 1972.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-033.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - on the water at Lord Howe Island, June 1973.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-144.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being prepared for sale to Antilles Air Boats, June 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-148.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being prepared for sale to Antilles Air Boats, June 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-149.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being prepared for sale to Antilles Air Boats, June 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-150.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being prepared for sale to Antilles Air Boats, June 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-151.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being beached for the last time, August 29, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-152.)

VH-BRF. Ansett Flying Boat Services - being beached for the last time, August 29, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-153.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. - Harry Woods prepares to wash down the aircraft for the last time, August 29, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-154.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. - being towed into the hangar for completion of overhaul and painting, August 29, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-155.)

VH-BRF. Antilles Air Boats - undergoing final painting at Rose Bay, September 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-158.)

VH-BRF. Antilles Air Boats - unmasking the new logo at Rose Bay, September 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-161.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. - one of the extra fuel tanks that was fitted for the ferry flight, August 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-140.)

VH-BRF. A.F.B.S. - preparing the upper deck cabin for installation of the extra fuel tanks, August 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-141.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - almost ready for rollout and relaunching at Rose Bay, September 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-162.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - entering the water for the first time at Rose Bay, September 18, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-167.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - entering the water for the first time at Rose Bay, September 18, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-169.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - entering the water for the first time at Rose Bay, September 18, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-170.)

VH-BRF. Antilles Air Boats - on the water at Rose Bay ready to depart, September 23, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Photograph. 2545-172.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - on the water with N158C at St Coix, Virgin Islands, January 1975.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-040.)

N158J. Antilles Air Boats - on the water at St Coix, Virgin Islands, January 1975.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-032.)

N158J. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - on the water at Marseilles, France, August 1981.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-142.)

N158J. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - beached at Marseilles, France, August 1981.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-173.)

G-BJHS. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - beached at Marseilles, France, May 1982.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-184.)

G-BJHS. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - on the Thames River, London, September 1982.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-041.)

G-BJHS. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - on the Thames River, London, October 1982.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-309.)

G-BJHS. Edward J. Hulton (Juliet Flying Boats Inc) - in flight over southern France, November 1985.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-177.)

G-BJHS. Ryanair - 'Spirit of Foynes' on the water at an unknown location, September 1989.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-042.)

G-BJHS. Ryanair - 'Islander' without titles overflying Southampton, August 1990.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-174.)

G-BJHS. Ryanair - 'Islander' without titles in flight over southern England, August 1990.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-175.)

G-BJHS. Ryanair - 'Islander' without titles in flight over southern England, August 1990.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-223.)

ML814. Fantasy of Flight Museum - its final resting place, decked out in party lights, January 1997.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-185.)

ML814. Fantasy of Flight Museum - its final resting place at Polk City, June 2004.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-310.)

ML814. Interior views - the forward mooring compartment, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-317.)

ML814. Interior views - the port side forward cabin, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-322.)

ML814. Interior views - the state-of-the-art port side washroom, Polk City, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-318.)

ML814. Interior views - the state-of-the-art starboard side galley, Polk City, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-319.)

ML814. Interior views - the state-of-the-art starboard side galley, Polk City, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-320.)

ML814. Interior views - the state-of-the-art starboard side galley, Polk City, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-321.)

ML814. Interior views - N. Raith sitting in the starboard side forward cabin, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-323.)

ML814. Interior views - looking forward from the rear of the lower deck cabin, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-324.)

ML814. Interior views - looking to the rear from the front of the lower deck cabin, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-325.)

ML814. Interior views - looking forward from the rear of the upper deck cabin with cocktail bar, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-326.)

ML814. Interior views - looking to the rear from the front of the upper deck cabin, May 2007.

(N. G. Raith Photograph. 2545-327.)