Allocated BuNo. 44248 but given RAF serial JX630 prior to becoming A24-385 with the RAAF in 1945, this Catalina gained fame in 1951 as the first aircraft to cross the South Pacific between Australia and South America, from Rose Bay in Sydney to Valparaiso in Chile. It is one of only two surviving non-amphibious Catalinas. Accepted into the Museum of Applied Art and Sciences in 1961. The museum was renamed Powerhouse in the late 1970s and closed in February 2024 for three years of major redevelopment.

Flown by Captain P. G. Taylor on the first air crossing of the South Pacific, leaving Sydney in March 1951 for Valparaiso, Chile.

Sunk by a bomb placed in the cockpit while moored on Sydney Harbour on August 27, 1949. Owner of a competing flying boat airline charged but acquitted. Photo from: National Library of Australia

Retired in March 1953 and scrapped. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

Ex RAAF A24-378. Bought by Qantas for use on services to Lord Howe Island, Noumea and Suva. Sunk by a bomb placed in the cockpit while -EAW moored in Rose Bay August 27, 1949. Rival flying boat operator charged but acquitted. Crime remains unsolved. Photo from: Hudson Fysh Collection/State Library of New South Wales

Hamilton Reach was Brisbane's water airport until replaced by one at Redland Bay that could better handle Sandringhams. Barrier Reef Airways base was on the southern side of the Brisbane River at Colmsie. VH-BRA was withdrawn from use at Colmsie in Oct 1951 and scrapped a few years later. Photo from: State Library of Queensland

This historic Catalina in the Powerhouse Museum is VH-ASA 'Frigate Bird II' (Australia-South America). Built in Canada in 1944 for the RAF as JX630, later RAAF A24-385). In 1951 it flew the first air crossing of the South Pacific Ocean, from Rose Bay Sydney to Valparaiso Chile, under legendary Captain P.G. Taylor GM. Also visible are DH-60X Cirrus Moth VH-UAU, Dept of Health NSW Beech B80 Queen Air VH-AMB and a Wheeler Scout on floats.

The aircraft used to pioneer a crossing of the South Pacific from Australia to Chile in 1951 under the command of Captain P.G.Taylor. The Boeing Canada built aircraft, a Catalina Mk.VI (ex RAF JX630), was stored after the flight, firstly at Rathmines flying boat base then from 1959 until the mid 1960s at Rose Bay. It has since been fully restored, reassembled and is displayed at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.