After donation to the NMNA in 1976, the surviving VS-44 was later transferred for an extensive restoration at Sikorsky's Stratford CT airfield, where it was built in 1942. First operated by American Export Airlines with beds, dressing rooms, galley, snack bar, lounge and full ventilation, it was impressed for war service by the USN as JR2S-1 12391, carrying passengers and freight between New York and Foynes, Ireland. In 1949 Tampico Airlines attempted to start freight runs in the Amazon but abandoned the VS-44 in Peru. In the late 1950s it was recovered to California for Avalon Air Transport.

This aircraft is now displayed in the Solent Sky Museum at Southampton, UK, painted in the livery it wore when in the service of Ansett Flying Boat Services and carrying it's former registration and name VH-BRC "Beachcomber".

The last VS-44 flying boat, Excalibur, was sold to Antilles Air Boats in 1967 but damaged while taxiing at Charlotte Amalie on 3 January 1969. It was beached and used as a hot dog stand. It was taken to the NAS Pensacola museum in 1976 and then to the New England Air Museum, near its birthplace in Connecticut, in 1983. Photo by: Chester H Liebs / University of New Mexico

Built in 1944 as a US Navy JRF-5, 84793. N79914 served in Alaska from 1949 until 1969, and with AAB from 1969 until the company's demise in 1981. Stored as a parts source in Landsberied, Germany. Photo by: Harold Mayer / University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Originally delivered to the U.S. Navy as a JRF-5, serial 37810.

Reregistered N610SS in 1985.

Although in fact no longer with Antilles Air Boats on this date but privately owned.

Reregistered N604SS in 1985

Seen looking into the crowded hangar at San Juan Seaplane base, Southern Cross is being worked upon. Ex VP-LVE, VH-BRC.

At the gate !

This aircraft crashed close to Fort Lauderdale on March 25th 1999. It is seen here 'taxying' in to the seaplane base.

Undergoing restoration in a cluttered hangar at San Juan, a few months after British millionaire Edward Hulton had purchased it from Antilles Air Boats. He would fly this Sunderland to the UK two years later, where it became G-BJHS in Sep 1981. In 1993 it went to Kermit Weeks' Fantasy of Flight Museum in Florida.

Surrounded by scaffolding being worked on in the hangar at San Juan. Ex VP-LVE.

Surely one of the most idyllic places in the world to photograph aircraft.

Parked in front the Hangar

The ramp at Charlotte Amalie with N323 in the background