| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | G-AGID |
| Fleet number: | 3 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Consolidated 28 Catalina |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Consolidated PBY Catalina |
| Aircraft Version: | Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina |
| C/n (msn): | 182 |
| Operator Titles: | Qantas Empire Airways - QEA |
| Aircraft Name: | Rigel Star |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Seaplane Base: | Perth - Nedlands Seaplane (closed)Map |
| Region / Country: | Western Australia, Australia |
| Airport Codes: | None |
| Photo Date: | July 1943 to July 1945 |
| Photo from: | AirHistory.net Photo Archive |
| Photo ID: | 204627 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Used to connect Australia with Sri Lanka during World War II. Known as the Double Sunrise service as the sun rose twice during the non-stop flights that lasted up to 32 hours. G-AGID scuttled near Rottnest Island on January 30, 1946. When explosives failed to sink it, gun fire was used. G-AGID had flown to its final resting place because a bridge prevented it being towed there. That meant making it airworthy again for its final flight. The Catalinas has been retired when Liberators took over the route. Photo from: Hudson Fysh Collection/ State Library of New South Wales This photo was added on 15 January 2020, and has since been viewed 2039 times. |