Discussion
Qantas also have a B707 out at a museum in Country Queensland. They picked it up from Southend airport in the UK, fixed it and flew it back. There is a DVD or video about the story of its return to Oz.
Ironically the RAAF picked up some of the Qantas B707s a long time ago and changed some into tankers. They retired them a good few years ago now. However Omega Air refuelling bought 3 of them from the RAAF in 2011. I believe at least one of them is still flying, not sure on the other 2.
Don't think the ex-Qantas one was used to deliver the RAAF Super Hornets to Oz, but they did use Omega, I remember seeing pictures of the Omega DC10 tanker with them.
Ironically the RAAF picked up some of the Qantas B707s a long time ago and changed some into tankers. They retired them a good few years ago now. However Omega Air refuelling bought 3 of them from the RAAF in 2011. I believe at least one of them is still flying, not sure on the other 2.
Don't think the ex-Qantas one was used to deliver the RAAF Super Hornets to Oz, but they did use Omega, I remember seeing pictures of the Omega DC10 tanker with them.
Dr G said:
"Qantas: From the Outback to the World" - can't see a copy online or anywhere on DVD outside Australia mind.
Video is called "Southend to Longreach - The Return of the 707"Here is an ad in oz but I know they send stuff worldwide.
http://www.pitstop.net.au/view/aviation-civil/page...
Eric Mc said:
Qantas' original 707s were short fuselage 138s, which were unique to Qantas.
They were later re-engined with turbofans to become 138Bs.
What would the difference between that and a 720 be? They were later re-engined with turbofans to become 138Bs.
Qantas are now slowly retiring their B747-400s as well....bit sad...been flying as long as I have been here. Mind you they have 6 special ones that no-one else has that will stay around a while.
I've gone a bit off topic here...Think I have seen at least one VC10 down here at an airshow...bought in some Tornadoes one year....damn the Tornadoes were cool! and loud! hooning around low-level everywhere, just like I remember them when I was in the UK.
Edited by motomk on Wednesday 9th January 15:33
Edited by motomk on Wednesday 9th January 15:34
motomk said:
What would the difference between that and a 720 be?
Substantial. Edited by motomk on Wednesday 9th January 15:34
Although the 707-120 series (of which the 138 was specific to Qantas) and the 720 both have short fuselages, there are some significant differences.
The 720s was optimised for medium range operators and was originally targetted at continental US airlines which included (in those days airlines such as United, TWA, Continental and Braniff). The 720 had quite a different wing shape with an extended wing chord near the wing roots and a beefed up undercarriage - to allow it to operate out of smaler airfields).
Some European airlines bought them from new, including Lufthans and Irish International (later merged properly into Aer Lingus).
Here's a nice shot of an Irish International 720s parked at Shannon around 1960.
These were referred to as 720-048s.
Compare it to one of the long fuselage Boeing 707-348Cs operated by Aer Lingus later -
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