This is very sad news to a number of people down under. The gentleman who acquired this aeroplane and flew it back to the UK came to the rescue of the Qantas 707 VH-XBA when serious problems emerged with one of the engines during the restoration at Southend. By way of returning the favour, a group of XBA's engineers assisted to get the former RAAF 707 airworthy at Amberley for its ferry flight to Manston. (Ironically, it was effectively exchanging one former Saudi 707 for another!) I can't begin to imagine how disappointing this must be for the owner as he had big plans for the aeroplane. It's a real pity that the aeroplane couldn't be saved because, in the opinion of one of the XBA engineers, she was a real peach.
To close the file on this aeroplane I would appreciate a few progress reports on her demise.
Rgds