This was the thirtieth Empire boat completed and flown by Short Bros at Rochester, Kent

The order was placed by Imperial Airways, London - September 02, 1935

Completed as a S-23 Empire Class boat having 920 h.p. Bristol Pegasus Xc engines

The standard fuel capacity was 650 gallons

It had an all-up weight of 40,500 lbs (18,380 kg) which was later increased to 53,000 lbs (24,200 kg)

The cruising speed was 164 m.p.h. with a standard range of 760 miles / 1,245 km

Entered onto British Aircraft Register as G-AEUI (CofR 7683) - March 01, 1937

Registered to Imperial Airways Limited, London

This aircraft did not have the British registration applied to the fuselage until 1942

Launched as 'VH-ABE' at the Short Bros Seaplane Works, The Medway, Rochester - February 24, 1938

First flown as VH-ABE - February 25, 1938

Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA 6214) issued - February 26, 1938

Delivered to Imperial Airways, London - February 26, 1938

The aircraft was named 'Coorong' (the cloud searcher)

Aircraft was earmarked for delivery to Qantas from outset but retained by Imperial to cover its Empire boat losses

Entered service with Imperial Airways Southampton - Karachi (Capt F. D. Travers) as CE3 - March 02, 1938

The aircraft carried mail and freight on this service but no passengers

Operated its maiden westbound service Singapore - Southampton as IW635 - March 16, 1938

Operated an accelerated westbound service Karachi - Southampton as IW642 - April 15, 1938

Aircraft sold to Qantas Empire Airways - September 1938

It arrival at Sydney (Rose Bay) it was officially handed over the Qantas Empire Airways Ltd - September 06, 1938

It was the fourth 'Empire Class' flying boat delivered to Qantas Empire Airways

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ABE (CofR 712) - September 07, 1938

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane

This aircraft was part of the aircraft pool operated by Imperial Airways and Qantas Empire Airways

on services between Southampton, England and Sydney, Australia

Qantas Empire Airways crews flew the aircraft on the Sydney - Singapore - Sydney sector of this route

between July 1938 and October 1941

Qantas Empire Airways crews then took over the Singapore - Karachi - Singapore sector of the route

from October 1941 to February 1942 when operations ceased due to Japanese war activities in South-East Asia

This aircraft broke its moorings and was blown ashore at Darwin (Captain L. J. Brain) - December 11, 1938

It was operating the eastbound Sydney service as SE57

Extensive damage was sustained to the hull but prompt action by Qantas crew prevented further aircraft damage

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - December 11, 1938

It was dismantled on site and shipped back to England for rebuilding by Short Brothers - December 26, 1938

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ABE - December 26, 1938

Rebuilt by Short Bros at Rochester and returned to service

As this aircraft was in the western sector of the Empire route when hostilities broke out it was decided to

exchange it for the Imperial Airways flying boat G-AEUA 'Calypso' that was in the eastern sector at the time

The ownership was transferred to Imperial Airways, London - September 19, 1939

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AEUI - October 19, 1939

Registered to Imperial Airways Limited, Bristol

Cancelled from Australian Aircraft Register - November 10, 1939

Imperial Airways merged to form British Overseas Airways Corporation - April 01, 1940

Ownership transferred to British Overseas Airways - August 22, 1940

In conjunction with G-ADUV 'Cambria' this aircraft assisted with the evacuation of Allied troops from

Suda Bay to Cairo - April 22 - May 05, 1941

In all 13 round trips were made carrying between 36 and 47 troops per flight

Withdrawn from service having flown 12,472 hours - February 10, 1947

Broken up for scrap at Hythe - March 14, 1947