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

Delivered to Royal Air Force as ML761 at Wig Bay, Stranraer, Scotland

Transferred to Short Bros & Harland as surplus to requirements - April 1946

Converted to Sandringham Mk IV Tasman Class by Short Bros & Harland, Belfast

Conversion included seating for 30 passengers

Transferred to UK Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-AMB - July 5, 1946

Leased to Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL) - July 17, 1946

Aircraft was named ' RMA Tasman'

Delivered to TEAL at Auckland - August 1946

Flight crew: Capt D. Travers (BOAC London-Sydney); Capt A.V. Jury (TEAL Sydney-Auckland)

Withdrawn from use due to engine overheating problems - February 23, 1948

Returned to service following rectification of engine problems - June 17, 1948

Operated its final TEAL service - December 1949

Stored at Hobsonville, Auckland

Sold to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd - April 18, 1950

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EBW - April 24, 1950

This aircraft was not named

Damaged during a landing accident at Rose bay, Sydney - April 4, 1951

Aircraft lost a float and wing was extensively damaged - repaired and returned to service

Aircraft was damaged beyond repair at Vila, New Hebrides - June 10, 1951

Whilst taxiing for take-off the aircraft struck coral in the harbour puncturing the hull in several places

Crew and passengers evacuated successfully as aircraft settled in the water

Raised and declared a write-off

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - July 19, 1951

ZK-AMB. TEAL - in the all-metal livery at Auckland Harbour, date unknown.

(Whites Aviation Photograph. 2545-343.)

ZK-AMB. TEAL - in the all-metal livery at Auckland Harbour, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-298.)

VH-EBW. Qantas - in the all-metal livery at Port Vila Harbour, June 1951.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-205.)

VH-EBW. Qantas - in the all-metal livery at Port Vila Harbour, June 1951.

(R. N. Smith Collection. 2545-204.)