Qf B707 Vh-xba (vh-eba) (Monster Merge!)

[mingalababya]

I came across this photo on Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1102026/M/) of an ex Qantas 707 being restored to fly back to Australia again. Looks like it's destined for the Qantas Founders Outback Museum (http://www.qfom.com.au/index.html). Hope it won't just be a static display; would love to have a joyflight in a 707 :ok:

And here she is in her original colours (http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0132392/M/).

[Woomera]

You'll find it all here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=208377&highlight=Qantas). The aircraft will end up on static display.

[mingalababya]

Thanks for the link. And a nice aerial pic of the Qantas 747-200 as well. :ok: Longreach would be a great home for that sad looking HS-125 VH-ECE mentioned in that other thread (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=244611). Hope the Qantas Foundation Memorial folks will consider moving VH-ECE there as well.

[robroy]

And who will fly the B707 to Oz, my money is on John Travolta and in my opinion, rightly so!
Who else, close to qf, has the recent experience to do it and who, also has the respect of, I would say, a vast majority of Aussies not even connected to aviation.:D
robroy

[triadic]

The 'gos is that plan A is to have it at the Richmond Airshow later this year. Crew includes QF pilots that are current on type I am told. Will be good to see!

[Tail_Wheel]

At an intelligent guess.... The present Longreach airport passenger terminal will be demolished and relocated to te eastern end of the taxi way. The 707 will end up between the 747 Classic and the original Q.A.N.T.A.S. Ltd hangar.

And the airport may be "privatised" and the Council is again dreaming of a jet service.........

[HZ123]

We at SEN though very pleased at its imminent dep have grown used to it in Saudi colours. It is credit to QF to have this set up, hear at BA and UK plc we just cut them up.

[company_spy]

It is a little disappionting that QANTAS has said nothing about this restortation in its company news. I know it has nothing to do with them but considering the amount of airplay JT and his 707 gets you would think that QANTAS would see fit to promoting it some. Wait till its up and flying they won't stop talking about it then:mad:

[robroy]

Triadic,

qf have not operated 707 for over 20 years.

Don't you think that is a tad too long for recent experience.

robroy:=

[kookabat]

Who said the recent experience HAD to be with QF? :}

[triadic]

robroy...

I think you will find that there are some pilots that are current on type, or at least have 'recent' experience. There is another operator in Oz if you think about it...

:cool:

[Newforest]

Would those planes be grey overall?

[robroy]

Kookabat, your post # 10
re crewing the 707, refer to Triadic's post #5

Triadic,
RAAF endorsements are not recognised as a civil endorsement.

My money is on John Travolta and his crew, makes sense to me.

robroy:ok:

[kookabat]

From Post 5:
Crew includes QF pilots that are current on type I am told.

QF pilots? Check.
Current on type? Check.
Current because they flew 707s with QF? Nothing in the above statement leads to that conclusion.


There are, however, plenty of former RAAFies in QF...



:}

[Agony]

RAAF endorsements are not recognised as a civil endorsement.

Aren't they, mine were..............:ooh:

[HZ123]

The rumour at SEN is it will be flown by pilots form a company called 'Omega' of the USA but who they are I do not know. At the present there is also a 707 exec that has been parked at STN for the last 6 weeks. There must still be some pilots with type approval.

[Newforest]

The rumour at SEN is it will be flown by pilots form a company called 'Omega' of the USA but who they are I do not know. At the present there is also a 707 exec that has been parked at STN for the last 6 weeks. There must still be some pilots with type approval.

N707AR (msn 20029/790) is registered to Omega Air.

[kookabat]

Crew:
Two current RAAF B707 reserve aircrew (1 Pilot-QFI and 1 FLTENG)
Three recent ex-RAAF B707 crew

Refresher raining in the RAAF sims was due to start last week.


Trust me.;)

[mingalababya]

The aircraft will end up on static display.
Wonder why they'd go through all the trouble and expense of getting her airworthy again only to have her on static display? It seems a waste to me.
Anyone know whether VH-XBA will be coming to Melbourne?

[mingalababya]

Here's more on the Qantas Foundation Memorial's 707 Preservation Project (http://www.qfm.org.au/707).


And a nice collection of Qantas 707 pics (http://www.707.adastron.com/gallery/gallery.htm) from a website supporting the project. :ok:

[Taildragger67]

I'm still waiting for an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (let alone a reply) from my emails to QFOM in January and April offering my services FREE in helping them get the thing going this end (UK).

Plain rude. :yuk: I had thought us Aussies were better than that. Maybe I've been away too long. :{

Either that or business is so good that they can be arrogant. :ugh:

[triadic]

The story continues............

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20554071-23349,00.html


Plane that brought world closer to home flies final kangaroo route
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
October 10, 2006

THE plane that changed the way Australians view overseas travel is on its way home.

The federal Government is paying $1 million so a group of volunteer Qantas pilots and former engineers can fly the airline's first Boeing 707 back to Australia after six years on the ground in Britain. It is due to arrive next month and join the collection at Queensland's Qantas Founders Outback Museum.

The City of Canberra was the first of a fleet of 13 707 "V-jets" that changed the way the nation connected with the world. It was also the first Boeing 707 ever to be exported from the US and only the 37th ever made.

The planes were specially built for Qantas and had a cruising speed twice that of the Super Constellations they replaced.

This reduced the travel time from Sydney to London from 48 hours to 27 hours, helping open up the so-called kangaroo route and playing a significant role in bringing migrants to Australia.

A cruising height of 10,660m, compared with 6060m for the Super Constellation, also meant passengers could fly over weather for the first time.

The aircraft would also blaze another trail when Qantas retrofitted its first six 707s and became only the second airline in the world to operate a new type of quieter and more powerful engine using a by-pass fan. This came as a relief to Sydneysiders alarmed by the black smoke and noise from the pure jet engines on the City of Canberra when it was delivered in July 1959.

Ten retired Qantas engineers have been working in Britain to get the plane ready to bring it back to Australia, and a Boeing 707 certified flight crew is standing by to fly it back via the US.

Qantas chairman Margaret Jackson said yesterday the aircraft had played an important role in the nation's history.

[mingalababya]

Anyone know whether the 707-100s had navigators as a part of their flight crew complement? I wonder how they navigated back in those days? I'd imagine INS systems weren't around then. Did they just track from one VOR or NDB to another?

[Taildragger67]

Anyone know whether the 707-100s had navigators as a part of their flight crew complement? I wonder how they navigated back in those days? I'd imagine INS systems weren't around then. Did they just track from one VOR or NDB to another?

To start the bidding, I can tell you that the bloke who ran the bookshop at the top of my street when I were a lad, had been a QF nav on 707s.

As for methods... I can't help, sorry. I think things like LORAN/triangulation of beacons was the go (but that's a guess on my part).

And I'm STILL waiting for my emails to Longreach to be even acknowledged, let alone answered! :ugh:

[Feather #3]

Haven't you blokes heard of astro??:)

G'day ;)

PS the means of navigation, not the wonder-dog:cool:

[redsnail]

Only astro I worry about is making sure those GPS satellites are doing their thing. :E :ok:

[Fris B. Fairing]

Just because the aeroplane is 1959 on the outside doesn't necessarily mean it's 1959 on the inside.
Regards

Here's a list (http://www.adastron.com/707/qantas/707-crew.htm#nav) of Qantas 707 Navigators

[chimbu warrior]

.................backtracking off the Sydney NDB, waiting for the Honolulu NDB to provide a useful bearing..............

[Taildragger67]

Haven't you blokes heard of astro??:)
G'day ;)
PS the means of navigation, not the wonder-dog:cool:

I don't recall 707s having an astro-dome...

[mustafagander]

You're right, tailie, they didn't have an astrodome they used a Kollsman Periscopic Sextant.

Loran was also used in the Pacific.

Doppler was fitted and used on all sectors, pilot nav or pro nav. Navs were on board, in my time, only on long oceanic sectors. For the sake of our livers it was just as well, too!!

[HZ123]

As the a/c was with Saudi Royal Familly / Saudi UN Ambassador in NYC surely it must have undergone a number of upgrades as in the early days they spent liberally on their fleet.

[Jamair]

I have heard that Qantas has reacquired and restored its first 707 and intends to fly it to a permanant home at the LRE Qantas Museum. Does anyone know if there any plans for an event like the 747 arrival? That would be an ideal excuse for another PPRUNE bash!

[Torres]

Jamair. There's been a couple of threads on the B707. Here's one in History and Nostalgia Forum. (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=208377&highlight=longreach)

I think it will be awhile before it gets to Longreach as I believe it may be going where the present Terminal now stands.

And yes, good excuse for a repeat of the B747 PPRuNe Cultural Event!! :ok: But this time not at the Welcome Home Hotel!!!

[J430]

let me know.....lets Go!

J:ok:

[Torres]

It wouldn't be a "Longreach event" without Chimbu Chuckles!!! :{

I'll check with the Council and see if I can get an approximate date.

[Fatter Bastard]

Yeah it'd be great to have chuck there.

The whole crowd could gather around while he told us about the time he flew an inverted NDB approach, engine-out to the US aircraft carrier in Moresby harbour in '81, stole the captains hat (with 5 gold bars) and then picked up the captains wife and went back to the airways hotel with her and pammy anderson, sunk 2 slabs of SP and still made it up at 5am the next day for a Hagen return.:rolleyes:

[mingalababya]

Here's a more recent pic in its original colours again;

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5838101

and compared with how it looked in 1961 as the original VH-EBA

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0132392/M/

[Arsey Eight]

To add some info to the now closed "Woomera" started thread a while back on the ole girl...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5859559

VH-XBA Has completed most checks at Southend in the UK, and is expected to depart there within the next week to Seattle.

In Seattle it will be involved in celebrations along side John Travolta's B707. After that, it will re-enact its delivery route to Australia across the pacific. Visits to Brisbane, Sydney & Canberra are expected, prior to its final resting spot in Longreach along with VH-EBQ.

Great to see this kind of thing happening. Maybe a DC9 & 727 would be a great addition to the collection..:)

[triadic]

Back to the top... anyone have an update???

[Chimbu chuckles]

Thanks FB:ugh:

When did telling funny war stories over mutitudinous beers stop being a favorite pilot passtime?

Given what is going on at work wth refleeting etc I will be unlikely to make it if it happens in the next 12 mths...but sounds like at least one person will be relieved.:ok:

[Fris B. Fairing]

Updates are available at
http://www.adastron.com/707/qfm/707-news.htm

[Wingspar]

Who exactly can we thank for the financial assistance in getting the ol' girl to Aus?

[Fris B. Fairing]

Who exactly can we thank for the financial assistance in getting the ol' girl to Aus?
Yourself - assuming you pay taxes.
Here's the DEH press release (http://www.deh.gov.au/minister/env/2006/mr09oct06.html)
Other sponsors here (http://www.adastron.com/707/honours/honour-roll.htm)

[B772]

VH-EBA as her former self holds the record for SYD-MEL, 38 mins 25 secs

[mingalababya]

Updates are available at
http://www.adastron.com/707/qfm/707-news.htm
Thanks for the pics. Anyone know what the "fifth pod" is used for on the 707 (http://www.adastron.com/707/gallery/vh-ebg-1.htm)? Ferry fuel tank perhaps?

[Fris B. Fairing]

Anyone know what the "fifth pod" is used for on the 707? Ferry fuel tank perhaps?
Used for ferrying an engine.
Regards

[international hog driver]

I passed through Southend this morning at stupid o'clock and had enough time to have a really good sticky. I can say that the people who have returned this old girl to her former beauty have done a fan-friggen-tastic job.

The light was not good enough for a pic and being between some ashtray and agean 737's did not help.

If you get the chance to have a squizz before she goes to Longreach do so....

My only question is, when she was given the VIP fit and had most of the rear left windows blanked out......Whats there now?

[Taildragger67]

My only question is, when she was given the VIP fit and had most of the rear left windows blanked out......Whats there now?

Probably the prince's rotating bed with mirrors on the ceiling... :}

[roamingwolf]

Is it true that the left hand seat has a GPS system so that the seat always points towards Mecca?



Trying to be serious for once ,it will be great to see her back in Oz. I understand that the insurance and other legalities would probably be prohibitive but wouldn't it be great to be able to pay for a flight in it.The money could go to charity or the museum at Longreach but I think they would be swamped with calls if it eventuated.

[Stratofreighter]

Back to the top... anyone have an update???

How about an airtest at 11.00 AM on Friday the first of December?

[HZ123]

Airborne at about 1300 hours today returning some 2 hours later, completing the exercise with a couple of missed approaches. Many in SE England would like to know what day it is looking to depart for good, as I missed it today leaving SEN at 11;30 hours. What a bottomer.

[mingalababya]

Here she is airborne; http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5866317

Awesome! :ok:

[Feather #3]

Sequence at;
http://www.ukar.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=1;t=22673;st=80

Enjoy :D

[tail wheel]

Further details here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=252806).

[J430]

I gather some of you will know this, what are the small holes above some of the engines for?

I see the outboard left engine does not have one.

J:ok:

[Feather #3]

J430,

Unlike the big fans, the early engines don't really put out enough bleed air to pressurise the a/c [altho it's available from each engine.] Boeing came up with the installation of the turbo-compressor for the inboard engines to enhance the air for pressurisation. The B720 had 2 t/c's [as they're known], dunno about other B707-100's but QF had 3 and the -300 series all had 3. #1 engine missed out. Takeoff config is to run the t/c's on the inboards for takeoff to give symmetrical power settings [.02EPR reduction for T/c ON], then turn the 3rd ON after power reduction.

Hope that helps?

G'day ;)

[Taildragger67]

Feather #3,

Thanks for that. My first run on a 707 was in 1974 and I noticed that and have wondered about it ever since.

I have also wondered about the extra inlet doors around the front of JT3Ds; am I correct in recalling that early JT9Ds also had them (and also whatever turbojets are on B52s)?

She looks fantastic in those photos. Great work all round. :ok:

Thanks guys

[mustafagander]

As far as I remember, the T/Cs were fitted to the B707 fleet because those early turbojets were liable to have contaminated bleed air - oil sealing wasn't all that good then. The engines were more than capable of supplying adequate bleed air for pressurisation needs. Remember that the T/Cs extracted much more bleed energy to operate than an equivalent straight bleed flow.

Taily, the extra air doors around the nose cowl were, in fact, known in Boeing-speak as "secondary air inlet doors". Remember that the inlet should be sized for the cruise, so then it will be too small at low airspeeds and engine efficiency will improve with more air. The JT3D nose cowl doors were still a bit open till well up the climb. Again your memory serves you well - early JT9s had them and I personally loved the howl. Nose cowls were all sealed up to help keep the noise down and make us better neighbours, but the old JT9 nose cowls made it easy to set thrust for T/O.

[Wingspar]

Fris B.

Just wondering exactly how much Qantas put into her?

I bet QF will milk as much as they can out of the ol' girl but the cynic in me doubts a significant contribution on their part!

[Taildragger67]

Fris B.

Just wondering exactly how much Qantas put into her?

I bet QF will milk as much as they can out of the ol' girl but the cynic in me doubts a significant contribution on their part!

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2006/oct06/3489

Pure speculation on my part, but maybe the Rat's contribution isn't necessarily monetary, but rather in providing crew, project & flight planning assistance, engineering advice and support, manuals, materiel, route clearance/diplomatic assistance, contacts at Shell & Boeing (recalling that Shell provided the special fuel for VH-OJA's then-record delivery flight in 1989), etc. - doubtless all of which will be costed to claim a tax discount but maybe the number of actual number of cheques written will be small. But vital support nonetheless which would've had to have been bought if it wasn't given. They could've told the project to take a running jump. But, as I say, pure spec by me.

[Harry Cooper]

Passed through Longreach yesterday and heard they are gearing up for a December 16th arrival. From the looks of the work going on the 707 is going to be nosed in beside the 747 with a hangar or two having to be demolished to do so - looks like its going to be a fairly tight squeeze.

[Torres]

To the EAST of the B747????? :confused:

You're right - a few more hangars will need to go!!!

[Harry Cooper]

Yes, to the east. I think that Queensland Helicopters are re-locating and their hangar being demolished but I am unsure about the Emergency services building. It looks as though too all the car ports around the Emergency services building have already been demolished.

[Traffic]

Time to hunt for an Electra...try

Atlantic Airlines and Channel Express in the UK

Not sure whether Reeve Aleutian still flying them.

[Torres]

Longreach Council advises December 16 is the latest arrival data but nothing yet is "set in concrete"! :ok:

[B772]

Airborne at about 1300 hours today returning some 2 hours later, completing the exercise with a couple of missed approaches. Many in SE England would like to know what day it is looking to depart for good, as I missed it today leaving SEN at 11;30 hours. What a bottomer.

Were the missed approaches planned or a consequence of the short runway. I have only been to SEN once (2001) and from memory the LDA is less than 1300 metres, short for even an empty B707.

[HZ123]

Planned indeed and aooreciated by the couple of hundred that had turned up for the flight. I do not know if anything took place today as it has been a filthy day with strong winds and heavy rain.

[J430]

Well this may not come to pass, but there could even be a formation flight with a 744 and maybe another .....perhaps an older bird than the 707.

Would love to know when the confirmed YLRE date will be.

J:ok:

[Taildragger67]

There's another thread about VH-XBA here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3004816) with a fair bit going on (eg. on-site reports, etc.)

[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-EBU 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.

[Going Boeing]

Qantas also want to retire an Aboriginal 747-300 VH-ECR (?) next year to Longreach.

The B743 with the Aboriginal paint scheme is VH-EBU which is currently "grounded" at Avalon. They can't legally scrap it there so the cheapest option may be to get it airworthy enough to fly to Longreach to become part of the Museum.

The 2 Rolls Royce powered B747-SPs that Qantas had were scrapped (sadly) within days of arrival at the Marama desert airfield. PanAm flew PW powered SP's which were considerably inferior in performance and range to the QF RR SP's. As there would be a number of time expired RB211-524-D4 engines available now, it may be possible to retrofit RR donks on an ex PanAm SP after it arrives in Longreach. Too complex to do prior to the aircraft being permantly grounded ( the engines rotate in opposite directions as well as many other technical differences) but the aircraft would look the goods esternally with the better donks fitted. The other option would be to try to get an RR SP that had previously been used by the Saudis.

The B707 that is coming is really significant as it is the very first B707-138 that Qantas purchased. John Travolta's aircraft is the last of the -138 models (the 13th that QF purchased). Subsequent B707s were -338s. The -138s were delivered with turbojet engines but were later retrofitted with turbofans.

I would love to see real aircraft such as the Connie and Electra represented at the Longreach Museum. :D

[Wunwing]

No one is mentioning a DC4. They flew with QF from after the war to early 70s. There was one for sale recently in Brisbane, but if that one is not available, there are plenty more that could easily be raised to ferry status.
Not as nice as the Connie but still a nice aircraft.

[019360]

And to further flesh out what a "dream" museum might look like, a 727, DC-9. Electra, F27 and Viscount. They really bought turbine powered travel to Australia's dometsic skies. Especially the B727. Remember the days when Australia led the world in standards and fleets? People like Sir Donald Anderson (DCA...remember?) and pilots like Frank Fischer (ex TAA) now sadly gone, and many of his ilk at Ansett and TAA should be remembered in any decent museum. And not a few current airline "managers" in Australia should be made to study their achievments and forced to sit in front of those exhibits for a while and meditate on how they compare....really dreaming now.

[stubby jumbo]

'watching the Channel 9 news tonight-they had footage of VH-XBA flying in England.

It looks really impressive.

But what amazed me was the flypast.

It looked as though it was travelling about 200 feet off the ground/runway and going like the clackers !!!:D :D

Do they have different reg's in the UK for this sort of flying ??????

[doubleu-anker]

It would have been termed an "ILS and missed approach" for legal reasons.

[LeadSled]

Stubby,
Your on the money, the rules in UK are different. Doubleu whatever sound like a fine product of the “Australian Way”, forever thinking up tricky interpretations of “the law” to get around the fact that committing aviation in Australia is a strict liability criminal offence. When these highly imaginative but legally incompetent “opinions” hit a real court, they have a half life measured in milliseconds. Doubleu, old mate, stick with your day job, your “legal reasons” just ain’t.

Anybody remember the very first QF aircraft to visit Oshkosh, (very first Jumbo at Oshkosh), did a great flypast. All AOK with FAA. Some nark in the crowd ( we have very long memories) who was a Captain with an Australian domestic airline felt the need to file a 225 with the Department of Changing Names.
Can’t allow criminal law breakers to get a bit of great international publicity for an airline we domestic pilots heartily detest, can we. Different union as well.

The bureaucrats were suitably peeved at such wilful displays of international public lawlessness, without QF having got down on bended knees and asked contritely for their infinite blessing in advance. I really felt very sorry for the way the QF Captain was treated, including a demotion.

I hope this lot have a “CASA Display Approval”, E(X)BA is on the VH- register.

The poms are quite simply not so completely and totally anal about this sort of thing, it’s ONLY in Australia that pilots etc. are totally preoccupied with “the regulations”. Sad, really, a national psyche that says: “If it moves, regulate it”, where the most common aviation term seems to be “mandatory”, followed by “strict liability offence, ---- see s6.1 of the Criminal Code.”

Anybody remember the great flypast by a TAA B727 at Avalon, the year the display line was so far away from the crowd, you needed field glasses to see the aircraft. That Captain was retiring the following week, so “they” couldn’t shaft him. It was beautifully done.

Tootle pip!!

PS: The PanAm SPs had a better payload/range than the QF Rollers, the Pratt powered were almost 13 tonnes lighter than the SP38s, mostly engine and pylon weight, and a heavier QF interior. The TSFC for the Roller was barely enough to make up for the cost of the engine weight.

The only reason QF had a better completion rate was the fact that PanAm had to always have an alternate, and the limitations of the US re-dispatch rules.

[doubleu-anker]

Point taken.

"it’s ONLY in Australia that pilots etc. are totally preoccupied with “the regulations”....." YOU SAID MATE!!

Just out of interest, do you have a law degree?

[Torres]

In retrospect, the rumour about acquiring an ex Pan Am SP may be a furfy, although the 743 VH-EBU sounds a distinct possibility.

It looks like only one ex Qantas Lockheed L-188C Electra, VH-ECC (http://www.lockheed.adastron.com/electra/vh-ecc.htm), may still exist.

[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

[mingalababya]

Thanks Tracey for the link with some very nice external pictures of her landing at Dublin and Tenerife (http://www.707.adastron.com/gallery/138-gallery.htm#VH-XBA). :ok: Are there any pictures of XBA's cockpit and cabin available for viewing?

[404 Titan]

Not knowing the first thing about a B707 and its systems, why is there a difference between the engine pylon on No 1 and those on No’s 2, 3 & 4?

[mingalababya]

Not knowing the first thing about a B707 and its systems, why is there a difference between the engine pylon on No 1 and those on No’s 2, 3 & 4?
It was mentioned earlier in the thread here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253556&page=3&post#56). :)

[puff]

List of photos
http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?offset=0&where=|||||||1|||||VH-XBA|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FE Panel
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5873614
Cockpit
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5873552
Looks fantastic, credit to all involved!

Cockpit looks as though it may have a 'few' non standard 1959 items !

[DutchRoll]

Heh heh, knowing a couple of the "Captains" as I do, it was interesting seeing them weighed down by QF braid on their caps and 4 bars on their shoulders! They must surely be enjoying the novelty!:)

I note that the company has ensured there is adult supervision though!;)

[puff]

What are the drivers and FEs backgrounds on the flight? Ex/current RAAF 707blokes or current QF blokes with previous 707 experience? Must be pretty high experience if someone like Norman King isn't operational crew, wasn't he the 'chinese checker' on the 707/747?

[Don Esson]

Heh heh, knowing a couple of the "Captains" as I do, it was interesting seeing them weighed down by QF braid on their caps and 4 bars on their shoulders! They must surely be enjoying the novelty!:)
I note that the company has ensured there is adult supervision though!;)

Good observation Dutchie. I'd like to know why ALL captains stand with their arms to the front and with their hands crossed as though they are protecting the family jewels as do soccer players protecting themselves at the time of a free kick in front of goal. These blokes in uniform must be so insecure.:eek:

[Wunwing]

The two FEOs are current QF. One is now current on B747, B707 and L1049.
Both ex RAAF B707.
Norm hasn't flown since 2002 and probably hasn't got a class 1 medical. I suspect just too expensive and difficult for a one way trip.

[DutchRoll]

The two main pilots mentioned are both ex-RAAF B707 instructors, currently QF B744 S/Os. Loads of RAAF 707 time between them, some of it recent with the RAAF Reserve. Another current QF Captain doing the admin stuff is also an ex RAAF B707 driver. Dunno whether the management Captain has 707 time. I presume he does (?), but it wouldn't be recently.

Like I said, the boys must be enjoying the instant promotion (while it lasts)!

Edit: Sorry, just remembered one of the guys is actually a B744 F/O, while the other is an S/O.

[Wunwing]

The management Captain has heaps of QF 707 300 time.

[Ratshit]

Is there a provisional arrival date in YLRE yet?

R:cool:

[puff]

It's made Orlando by all accounts with photos floating around the net of XBA parked next to JTs 707.

[N9964Z]

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

~ Tracey

[BrokenConrod]

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

~ Tracey

I guess that means that it won't be landing in YLRE this Saturday - unless it flys east to west - really, really fast - through a couple of time zones - so that Honolulu at 14:10 local is, like, TOMORROW in Oz!

or something like that ............. lost myself there somewhere!

BC:8

[bpmsmith]

I guess that means that it won't be landing in YLRE this Saturday - unless it flys east to west - really, really fast - through a couple of time zones - so that Honolulu at 14:10 local is, like, TOMORROW in Oz!

or something like that ............. lost myself there somewhere!

BC:8

Scheduled into YSSY at 0900 local according to http://www.707.adastron.com/flyhome/diary-3.htm

A visit to Brisbane is then on the cards
http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2006/oct06/3489

[Ratshit]

I see VH-XBA arrived in Sydney today and is to relocate to YLRE early in the New Year.

Anyone have a heads-up on when exactly?

The "Fork-tailed Dr killer" and I might go say "Welcome to the wild west"!

R:cool:

[mingalababya]

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

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

Hope she'll come to Melbourne for a visit! Afterall, she was 'City of Melbourne'.

BTW, just out of interest, what was her callsign for the ferry back home?

[4SPOOLED]

Looked like a bumpy old landing on the news though, nose wheel bouncing a couple of times, must of been a tad embarrassing for the crew considering most aviation professionals Australia wide were watching, but then having said that i still do the occasional bad landing, so we are only human.

Good to see her back anway:ok:

4S

[Taildragger67]

Looked like a bumpy old landing on the news though, nose wheel bouncing a couple of times, must of been a tad embarrassing for the crew considering most aviation professionals Australia wide were watching, but then having said that i still do the occasional bad landing, so we are only human.
Good to see her back anway:ok:
4S

When BA retired the Concs (:{ ), they had three land line-astern. Two greased it on but the third... well, let's just say the driver gave the punters two 'last landings' for the price of one... :}

[frangatang]

An Fo l was flying with recently lives near southend and witnessed the machine going for its first jaunt,which was incredible as it sat around for years corroding.fantastic resurrection job. If ossie miller reads this, the pommie prawnspotter from karumba sends his regards.

[J430]

Any news yet on when it will fly to YLRE?

J:ok:

[J430]

Just been told that it might be a long weekend in the Easter-May time period it goes to YLRE.

And also a chance its the 27th of January............don't you just love a rumour network!!!!

If anyone gets any firm info post it asap. Should be a good weekend to plan for!
J:ok:

[Torres]

Spoke to Longreach Council Mayor and CEO in Longreach this morning. Latest arrival date is Easter but that is not yet "firm".

The present Longreach Passenger Terminal remains. The B707 will be parked next to the B742 on the eastern side. Buildings have been removed, some cementing completed but the site is not yet finished.

It's looking like an Easter PPRuNe Bash in Longreach. Accommodation will be at an absolute premium. Headaches were dispensed freely in the early hours of the morning in the front bar of The Welcome Home Hotel in Eagle Street, on the day the B742 arrived.

Should I book the same venue again? :}

[Jamair]

Hell yes; I'll be a starter and I suspect Chuck will make a show as well.

[Torres]

Chuck usually does make a show.......... := We'll have some decorum this time! :}

Keep Easter in mind and we arrange something when the 707 arrival date becomes firm. That should also be the time for Easter in the Country so it will be a big weekend.

[J430]

I see a LONG, very long weekend involved here. now its a race to see who can post the first TRUMOUR not RUMOUR on its actually arrival date, and then see who can get a motel booking before it becomes only that hotel under many millions of stars!:eek:

J:ok:

[Torres]

Anything apart from.....
"Latest arrival date is Easter but that is not yet "firm".

Can, at this stage, only be a rumour.

Accommodation in Longreach. (http://www.longreach.qld.gov.au/web/index.asp?m1=3&pg=14)

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Unfortunately I was not able to be there for the arrival of the 747.

But I heard it was a good party, so I intend to be there to welcome the 707!

FTDC:cool:

[bonez]

I would not be at all surprised to see it at AVV !!

remember it has some PR to do yet, which I would expect might include air to air with some other QF equipment and perhaps the Connie....?????

will have to wait and see, but I would have to agree it would not be prior to Easter at LRE and maybe even after if accom is tight there over that w/e!

:) :)

[Jamair]

'Twas INDEED an EXCELLENT little party; the chinese food was grouse and the ale flowed ever-so-freely.......:D

Don't quite remember ALL the details but I'm pretty sure the PPRUNE group managed a visit to all the libatious houses in LRE....except maybe Gaunty who was a little preoccupied with Chardonay and caviar at the toffs soiree...:p

It was a long trip home in the mighty Bonza the next day:8 :ok:

[Torres]

Oh, God! I'd forgotten the Chinese restaurant episode! It was the Happy Valley Chinese Restaurant, 135 Eagle Street, Longreach....... and Chuck was in fine form!

As I write I'm in the office next door - just went out the front door, looked at the Happy valley Chinese Restaurant and the nighmares came flooding back......... :{

I'll see if I can get my mates from "the Regulator" to attend again. It was fun drinking their overnight allowance last time! :}

Thread drift I know - but you would not believe the rain out here. The Thompson River is flowing and Bedourie got seven inches over the past two days - more than they received in 2006. The country is so green! :ok: :D

[triadic]

Easter Saturday is the go!



http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1843028.htm

:ok: :ok:

[J430]

I booked a room.:p

Anybody else going??

Anyone from YCAB?

J:ok:

[Critical Reynolds No]

Any word about an appearance at Avalon?

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Booked my room!

The Fork-tailed Doctor Killer will be there.

FTDC:cool:

[bonez]

well if you can believe one of the major flying mags, there is a good chance it will be at AVV

might also be a good plan to sit beside the harbour bridge on the 18th March during the bridge celebrations - never know what you might see!

:ok: :ok: :ok:

[Feather #3]

Might even have one or two mates on 18Mar?:ok:

G'day ;)

[Jamair]

Trying hard - just gotta sort some accommodation for after the Chinese and um.....'refreshments' Saturday nite:yuk: :ok:

[ACMS]

Hi all,
any updates on XBA visiting Avalon for the show??

[Chimbu chuckles]

Ahhh...glad I kept everyone entertained...apparently.

I will be surprised if I make it this time but hope springs enternal...I'll crash on your floor if I do Jamair.:ok:

[OpsNormal]

Chuck, you'll have to push me outta the way or there's still room in the nose locker if you need it..... :}

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Here we go again - Queen's birthday weekend it is (apparently).
ETA YLRE is 11:00 am local on Sunday June 10.
The Fork-tailed Doctor Killer and I will be there!

Dr:cool:

[hei yu]

Any idea where VH-EBA will be parked prior to departure Sunday morning for Longreach (and also best place to view/photograph) ?
Regards

[apacau]

Press is reporting a test flight tomorrow (Thurs) that will see XBA fly to Canberra, conduct a number of instrument approaches and touch and gos at Canberra (arr around 1130 local), then to Albion Park for more approaches before back to Sydney.

I believe it is the last outing before delivery to Longreach.

[squawk6969]

dunno about Sydney but I am pretty sure you will see it in Longreach, only thing that will dwarf it is some old heap of B742 they parked there!

I'll be there! Anyone need a lift from BrisVegas let me know!

SQ

[hei yu]

Thanks apacau,
Unfortunately, I can't make it to LRE but plan to fly to SYD for a squizz before it leaves on Sunday.
Any EBA activity planned PM Saturday and where will she(ba) be parked Sunday morning prior to departure?
Do they plan to depart from one of the terminals?

Also a request to any SYD spotters..where's the best spot for a photo (ramp/ taxiing/taking off)

Merci à l'avance
hy

[Feather #3]

Sunday morning Bay 13 QF Domestic from 0630...etd [pushback] 0730.

Return to SYD at 1330 tomorrow.

G'day ;)

[Wingspar]

Apparently it's there now.

Anyone got any photo's of it's arrival?

[squawk6969]

Want some pics.....check out the GA& Q section

It was a good weekend

SQ:D