VH-BRA  (1)  Boeing-Canada PB2B-2 Catalina              (c/n  61193)

                                

                                     The above image is courtesy of the John Oxley Library collection, State Library of Queensland.
                                     VH-BRA was one of  two surplus Catalinas (the other was VH-BRB) with which Barrier Reef
                                     Airways began services from Brisbane to Gladstone/Heron Island in 1947.    This aircraft was
                                     previously a Catalina IV with the RAF (JZ838) and with the RAAF (as A24-364). The library
                                     does not indicate the venue, but I suspect it was possibly Rose Bay seaplane base, circa 1947?.
                                     Barrier Reef Airways was absorbed into Ansett Flying Boat Services in 1952 and this Catalina
                                     was withdrawn from service in 1953.   Australian airline historian Fred Niven has reproduced the
                                     logo used by Barrier Reef in those early days (below) and this can be seen on the nose of the
                                    aircraft.