Qantas 707 (Merged)

[GBALU53]

Well today seem to be the day so say good bye to the B707.

The flight plan is in the system departing EGMC at 0845 if the weather is good on route some of us will see it although maybe high level.:ok:

The flight level on route is caped at F240 due non rvsm and the route from what i can make out reads like this.:ok:

EGMC 0845 Dct BPK N601 Robin R3 Wal L10 to EIDW.:ok:

Well done to all who worked on the project, some of us are dissapointed for not being able to see this fine example.:ok: :ok:

We will just have to pay a visit down under

[Feather #3]

And thanks to the nice lady at LTCC who answered my query about VH-XBA the other day. Very kind!!:D

G'day ;)

[Don Esson]

She's just touched down in DUB:ok: :ok:

[noflybywire]

NOW!!!! whats happening to that FAR!! more interesting Aircraft at Southend the BELFAST!!,:mad: :mad: :mad:

[noflybywire]

And the CL-44-0 at bournemouth,:eek: :eek: :eek:

[jabberwok]

I caught VH-XBA climbing out of Dublin at 1357 just going through FL100. She leveled off at FL270 at 1405.

I wish her a safe journey..

[frostbite]

Lucky to see her through the murk when she left Southend at 0930 for a go around before departing.

Wondering - was the hush kit a late fitting? She seemed a lot louder a few weeks ago.

[Taildragger67]

Lucky to see her through the murk when she left Southend at 0930 for a go around before departing.
Wondering - was the hush kit a late fitting? She seemed a lot louder a few weeks ago.

She's been S2 hushed for some years now, methinks.

[Jamie-Southend]

She made tonights evening news on the BBC, albeit Local, fast forward to 24 mins.
Click on VIDEO - Look East - Right side of page, be quick as wont be there tomorrow!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/
Jamie

[Torres]

Rumour has it Qantas have acquired the ex Pan Am 747SP CLIPPER FLEETWING N538PA which will become VH-EAA, as neither of their 747SPs still exist. N538PA was the FAA test jet fuel tanker. The 747SP will head to Longreach when painting in Qantas colours is completed.

Qantas also want to retire an Aboriginal 747-300 VH-ECR (?) next year to Longreach. A 747-400 is rumoured to be in the Sydney paint shop now to replace it.

Knowing Longreach airport, I don’t know where they are going to be parked unless a number of hangars and buildings are going to be demolished.

An Electra and a Connie would complete the Qantas collection of their aircraft for the past 50 years………???

Hopefully, these attractions will bolster the Longreach economy which has been devastated by drought for some years. Longreach has also missed out on the minerals and energy boom, which is further to the south and east.

[Wunwing]

Torres

There are 2 "Aboriginal" QF B747s, a blue 300 (EBU) which I think is stored at AVV and a red 400.

The QF SPs were Rollers, the PAA ones were P&W so a big external difference.
There is at least one ex QF L188 operating with Airspray in Canada but as she's just been converted to a firebomber I don't think she is available. The QF L188 were also all C models with a slightly different window layout to most.

The only way they would get a Connie to Longreach is in bits. There are no potentially fliable Connies left unless a huge amount of expense and time were put in for a ferry flight.There are a couple of C121 Warning Stars but they would need a huge amount of structural work to get them back to Connie status and they have round windows.

No-one seems to consider a DC4. They flew with QF from the end of the war until the early 70s, however not as pretty as a Connie. Up until recently there was still one in BNE for sale and there are still a lot currently flying right around the world. A DC4 is by far an easier and logical addition to Longreach

[UPPERLOBE]

Correct Wunwing,

The blue -300 is VH-EBU which is parked at Avalon has not flown for a few years, is up for a 'D' check and has been cannibalised, it would be an expensive process to fly it to Longreach and for why anyway?

The red -400 is VH-OEJ

As far as the ex Pan Am SP goes, why go for it when there is the one other RR powered SP still in existence, that being HZ-AIF with the Saudi Royal Flight, and probably soon to be retired.

On another tack, B742 ex VH-EBA QF's first 747 is still in operation with Northeast Airlines of Swaziland as 3D-NED and in pax config.

I know QFM can only press the money button a limited number of times and I'm probably just dreaming outside the commercial reality zone, but two VH-EBA's at Longreach..................

[heavyless]

Where is she now,Last I heard she was close to Tenerife,Did all go ok?with no problems and ready to continue, any info out there?

[UPPERLOBE]

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5873544

[Whispering Giant]

I Was in DUB yesterday at midday and saw her there - she looked gorgeous, what a beautifull restoration job the guys have done on her.
Speaking to the dispatcher who was doing our flight - beleive she was due to route - DUB-Tenerife-Bermuda-Orlando-Longbeach-Honalulu then onto Australia..
Hope we get to see that aircraft again some day...

brgds
W.G

[The AvgasDinosaur]

What a :mad: pity the powers that are at Big Airways (London) PLC dont have the foresight and courage of Qantas. What a wonderful PR excercise and such kudos to QF as apposed to the Cosford debacle. This thread should be compulsory reading at Nigel Towers boardroom.
Be lucky
David

[Jamie-Southend]

Could not agree more David.

2006 will be remembered as the year BA desecrated a wonderful collection of Airliners. :(

[N9964Z]

VH-XBA is on the ground at Bermuda International (TXKF), overnighting, with departure Sunday for Orlando scheduled for 10:00 local. Flight time to KMCO 2 hrs 50 minutes. If on time will be into KMCO at 11:50 local.

~ Tracey

[sparksfly01]

one good reason that it rained earlier before this old girls take off, you get a good spray shot
http://shutter07.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/08/008/1D/3F/BA/C8/6TmdyRllC6-ovm3w5JeVo1ej3xko5FcM0300.jpg
http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/008/5F/71/FE/DA/N-TgkoA5Bpk4BzypeCPTMP0a0A7-c1Bd0300.jpg

and the crew displayed a great fly past
http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/004/75/55/E3/37/I2xRxMxuEE3NnzbqGAD0J2sUwwuh1Lso0300.jpg
http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/08/009/1D/3F/F8/39/kmM5V-t7N2MHImCFGhgkHuoZLzAAEYZY0300.jpg

and my last shot of VH-XBA, but i intend to see her as VH-EBA back home in OZ
http://shutter08.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/07/003/5E/3B/1F/7A/cnsK4HErdQO+CVKw1OOMmBWJuKhIs3VD0300.jpg

[N9964Z]

If she remains on schedule (and please bear in mind that anything is subject to change), the leg from KMCO to KLGB (Long Beach) is scheduled to depart from KMCO 10:00 local Monday December 11th (UTC - 5). 5 hrs 10 mins flight time to Long Beach, ETA 12:10 local (UTC - 8).

~ Tracey

[tinpis]

The place needs something thats fer sure :uhoh:

http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/federation/images/cwoldnew.jpg

[N9964Z]

The B707 Project Team as of today are now providing a flight following diary direct from the mouths of the crew bringing the old girl home (time permitting), through the public domain of our website.

Norm King, one of the engineers is our 'author'.

We tend to refer by nicknames, so this is who they are referring to when you read it:

'Muz', 'Ridgeback and 'Feebs' are the three Captains.
'Plucka' and 'H' are the two Flight Engineers.
Karen is the Flight Attendant.
Plus several engineers.

As previously advised Jeff Watson is on board compiling the documentary.

Click on the link to view daily up to date and factual progress.

http://www.707.adastron.com/flyhome/diary-3.htm

You can also go to:

http://www.707.adastron.com/qfm/qfm.htm

and click on Flight Following link.

Enjoy!
~ Tracey

[The AvgasDinosaur]

As previously advised Jeff Watson is on board compiling the documentary.
Enjoy!
~ Tracey
When can I place my order please Maam? and where ??
Be lucky
David
P.S.
Awesome weblinks.

[bean]

Tracey

I'm sure I speak for all Brit Ppruners.

Many thanks for all your authorataive updates.

This aeroplane has captured the imagination of so many Aviation minded British people quite exceptionally as I'm sure you know.

Many best wishes & I also look forward to seeing her donnunda

[barit1]

Business Wire (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061211006113&newsLang=en) story :)

[Wunwing]

Typical Qantas release. I gather those "passengers" at the R/H side of the cockpit are only there for passing the tea cups. Every relase that Qantas has made on the B707 talks about the pilots but no mention of the flight engineers.

[hobie]

Some photo's on route .....

http://www.airliners.net/uf/view.file?id=536886279&filename=1165784228OWT42r.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/uf/view.file?id=536886279&filename=1165797045hR3gRt.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/uf/view.file?id=536886279&filename=11657970072np1Eb.jpg

Photo's have to be resized yet but worth looking at .... full info here at A.net here ........

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3141209/

[N9964Z]

Thanks for your support and good wishes everyone via your posts and PMs. The group much appreciates it.

VH-XBA nears ever closer to home, touching down in Honolulu at 14:10 Local Tuesday.

~ Tracey

[ponder]

So where is it now ?

[Jamie-Southend]

Honolulu :E

[The AvgasDinosaur]

So where is it now ?
No more clues
The B707 Project Team as of today are now providing a flight following diary direct from the mouths of the crew bringing the old girl home (time permitting), through the public domain of our website.

Norm King, one of the engineers is our 'author'.

We tend to refer by nicknames, so this is who they are referring to when you read it:

'Muz', 'Ridgeback and 'Feebs' are the three Captains.
'Plucka' and 'H' are the two Flight Engineers.
Karen is the Flight Attendant.
Plus several engineers.

As previously advised Jeff Watson is on board compiling the documentary.

Click on the link to view daily up to date and factual progress.

http://www.707.adastron.com/flyhome/diary-3.htm

You can also go to:

http://www.707.adastron.com/qfm/qfm.htm

and click on Flight Following link.

Enjoy!
~ Tracey

Hope it helps
Be lucky
David

[ponder]

Thanks guys - it was my first post after all - exits stage right red faced LOL!!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Congratulations and well done to all of you on your safe return to Sydney.:ok:

[mingalababya]

Here's a pic of her touching down in Sydney yesterday! Awesome!

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5880365

[Tiger_mate]

Can anybody tell me why a 707 has 3 engine pods with what appears to be an air intake/inlet above the pod and one (the No 1) does not?

[mingalababya]

Can anybody tell me why a 707 has 3 engine pods with what appears to be an air intake/inlet above the pod and one (the No 1) does not?
The answer to that was mentioned in a parallel thread (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253556&page=3&post#56) running in the downunder forum :)

[Tempsford]

It is great to see at least someone taking an interest in their Commercial Aviation Heritage. Well done the Aussies, first the Connie now the B707. When will we follow suit in the UK and move away from the unless it dropped bombs or fired guns, it isn't worth saving school of thought. :D

The pods above the engines are housing Turbo Compressors. Some variants had two T/C, some had three. Some had two T/C, but still had three 'dog kennels' as they are called. There were a number of other permutations which could depend also on the original customer specification. :ok:

Temps

[Georgeablelovehowindia]

Photograph taken from first officer's seat of No. 4 engine on 707-123B shows no turbo-compressor intake. :ok:

(G-BGCT Corfu-Luton 12 September 1979, FL390 passing the Matterhorn.)

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/Georgeablelovehowindia/?action=view&current=gbgct1.jpg

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Was she flight planned as a B701 ??
Anyone in a position to know, please
Be lucky
David

[Fris B. Fairing]

David

One of the pilots tells me that although they were aware that B701 was appropriate, they were advised to file as B703 as this was considered to be a generic 707. Hope this helps.

Regards
Ron

[BigPhil]

FlyPast mag has a nice spread about 'XBA. ;)

[tail wheel]

Photo taken two days ago. Final resting place - Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach Airport.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Woomera/B707VH-XBA.jpg

[Fris B. Fairing]

The final instalment of how XBA came to be at Longreach has just been added to the website:
VH-XBA (http://www.adastron.com/707/flyhome/diary-3.htm)
Towards the end of the last report is a link to a very moving speech made at Longreach by Ian Dorling, Manager of ATC Lasham at Southend. Ian and his company did much to ensure the success of the project.
Regards

[Graeme Cave]

Check this link out

http://www.abc.net.au/westqld/stories/s2101692.htm

[Jamie-Southend]

I have just watched the DVD of the Journey back from Southend to Longreach, its great quality, but i did have to send to OZ to get it. :}

[The AvgasDinosaur]

but i did have to send to OZ to get it.

Have you got a link to the source to share with us. Or perhaps by PM don't want to upset the management now do we.
Be lucky
David

[Jamie-Southend]

About £17.00 delivered.

http://www.chevron.com.au/aviation/aviation_sthendtolngreach.html

Jamie

[Graeme Cave]

Like to do a wing walk on the 747 at Longreach, then check this link out

http://www.abc.net.au/westqld/stories/s1487865.htm

[Graeme Cave]

The ABC in Australia has upgraded to a new website and so the previous link is obselete.

For the new link click on the following

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/11/26/2101692.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/11/26/2101692.htm)

I hope you all enjoy

[Graeme Cave]

Check out this new website for the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach Western Queensland

QFOM - Come on board our Jets! (http://qfom.com.au/index.html)

Graeme Cave