This painting of one of the most-loved passenger aircraft of the post war years shows the historic ex-RAF Sunderland, serial no JM715, converted to a luxury configuration as “Beachcomber” over Lord Howe Island at the end of one of her regular runs from Sydney.

For anyone who was fortunate enough to fly in this wonderful machine, as was the artist, the experience of banking over the island, set in a sea of brilliant blue, and then to land on the transparent turquoise waters of the sparkling lagoon, was unforgettable.

Beachcomber’s four Pratt and Whitney engines which were often heard purring over Sydney are now silent–but, the flying boat has been restored and can be seen in England at Southampton’s Hall of Aviation.