RRAF182 was delivered to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force's 3 Sqd in March 1960. The RRAF was the air force of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (today's Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The Canadairs, as they were known locally, formed part or the Federation's commitment to the British forces in the Middle East. When the Federation was dissolved in 1963, the three Argonauts were sold to civilian operators. RRAF182 returned to the UK as G-ALHI with Air Links. Photographer unknown

G-ALHI is here seen being finalized for delivery to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force's 3 Sqd as RRAF182. The RRAF was the air force of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (today's Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The Canadairs, as they were known locally, formed part or the Federation's commitment to the British forces in the Middle East. When the Federation was dissolved in 1963, the three Argonauts were sold to civilian operators. RRAF returned to the UK as G-ALHI with Air Links. Photographer unknown

El Adem near Tobruk was an RAF base in the Kingdom of Libya, used primarily as a staging post. During March 1960 Pioneers of No 230 Sqn were deployed here for exercise Starlight One. They were based at RAF Upavon and probably airlifted by Beverley transports. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Los Angeles industrialist Thomas W Kendall bought 13 Catalinas for conversion into flying yachts similar to the Landdseaire conversion. In 1960, Kendall set out from London in N5593V with his own family and a photographer on board. After seeing the pyramids, they alighted off the Saudi coast on 22 March to relax on the beach, but the next morning, they were attacked and taken prisoner by a group of armed Bedouins who took them for Israeli commandos. The bullet-riddled wreck of the Catalina was still present on the beach by 2024. Photo by: David Lees / Life

RRAF182 was delivered to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force's 3 Sqd in March 1960. The RRAF was the air force of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (today's Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The Canadairs, as they were known locally, formed part or the Federation's commitment to the British forces in the Middle East. When the Federation was dissolved in 1963, the three Argonauts were sold to civilian operators. RRAF182 returned to the UK as G-ALHI with Air Links. Photographer unknown

Across the fence in her "dayglow" livery before radar installed.