The Consolidated LB30 was an early version of the B-24 bomber. Some were converted to freighter configuration and four flew for Qantas Empire Airways in the 1940s.

The LB30 was an early version of the B-24 bomber which was ordered by France and Britain early in World War II.

After the fall of France the LB30s went to Britain where they were found unsuitable for combat and were instead used to transport passengers and cargo. Some were flown as civil aircraft by BOAC.

Through Qantas’s association with BOAC two LB30s were loaned to Qantas for their service between Australia and Ceylon to link with flights to Britain.

In 1946 those two LB30s were scrapped and two more entered Qantas service, flying mainly as freighters, before also being scrapped in 1950.

This model represents VH-EAI flying for Qantas Empire Airways in the late 1940s.

Crown 1/144 kit with replacement engines and Hawkeye decals. Completed in March 2022.