Chuck, yep that's where I am. I think you have my e-mail. Lemme know if you're coming through.
Capt. Crosswind, QANTAS began flying the Perth - Colombo service with the PBY-5, the straight flying boat version, on June 29, 1943. The times enroute were on average 27 hours, with 30 hours not unheard of. The aircraft were indeed fitted with extra tanks, and the payloads, mostly mail and priority freight, was restricted to 1200 pounds because of that. Any passengers that were carried were awarded "The Rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise" for being airborne more than 24 hours. (Two sunsets westbound, two sunrises eastbound) In October 1943,the service was extended to Karachi. Service with the Cats ended in June 1944, when QANTAS introduced the B-24 (C-87?) on the same route.