THE QANTAS BOEING 707-138
TURBOFAN MODIFICATION PROGRAM

REGN

C/N

ACQUIRED

DEP SYD
FOR SEA
ARR SYD
EX SEA
V-JET REPAINT
IN
V-JET REPAINT
OUT
NOTE
VH-EBA

17696

07JUN59

31JUL61
16SEP61
16SEP61
28SEP61
-
VH-EBB

17697

26JUN59

11SEP61
24OCT61
-
-
1
VH-EBC
17698
09JUL59
29SEP61
11NOV61
17NOV61
17DEC61
2
VH-EBD

17699

12AUG59

08OCT61
20NOV61
21NOV61
23NOV61
-
VH-EBE

17700

24AUG59

18OCT61
04DEC61
05DEC61
07DEC61
-
VH-EBF

17701

10SEP59

05NOV61
24DEC61
-
-
3
VH-EBG
17702

24SEP59

19NOV61
15JAN62
15JAN62
19JAN62
-

 

THE ENGINES & OTHER MODS

The turbofan modification program entailed returning 29 of the original JT3C-6 turbojet engines to the United States where they were remanufactured as turbofan engines. These engines were progressively fifth podded back to San Francisco from where they were shipped to American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma where the conversion was performed. Modified engines were then shipped to Boeing in Seattle for fitment to the aircraft. After modification to turbofan configuration, the original engines became known as JT3D-1(MC6) and the suffix "MC" was appended to its six digit serial number. A further 25 engines were modified by Qantas at Mascot. The designation MC6 applied only to engines that were converted to turbofans from JT3C-6 specifications.

In addition to the engine modifications, the 707-138B featured a number of other refinements to improve handling. All of these modifications were incorporated at the same time as the engine upgrade.

  • a fin extension of 3ft 7ins (1.09m)

  • a tailplane extension of 1ft 8ins (0.51m) each side

  • an added ventral fin

  • addition of 3 leading edge flaps on each wing

  • a "glove" extension to the wing leading edge between the fuselage and the inboard engine pylons

 

See also Qantas and the 707 by Dr Ron Yates

 

NOTES
1
 V-Jet paint dates are not available for VH-EBB. However, the aircraft returned to Sydney on 24OCT61 and re-entered service on 27OCT61, so the repaint was probably done in the interim.
2
 The V-Jet repaint on VH-EBC was done in conjunction with a Block C overhaul which explains the longer time interval.
3
 V-Jet paint dates are not available for VH-EBF. Although the aircraft departed San Francisco on 23DEC61 after conversion, its date of arrival in Sydney is not recorded. Therefore, the date shown in the table above (24DEC61) is an assumption. VH-EBF re-entered service on 27DEC61, so the V-Jet repaint was probably done in the interim.
4
 VH-EBH to VH-EBM (incl) were delivered as 707-138B.
5
Abbreviations
C/N Constructor's Number
SYD Sydney
SEA Seattle
6

The table was prepared from notes compiled by Eric Favelle.

 

This page was developed for the Qantas Foundation Memorial by Ron Cuskelly
Issue
Date
Remarks
3
03MAY07
 The text relating to the conversion of the JT3C-6 engines to turbo fan has been revised in the light of new information from Ron Yates.
2
05JUL05
 Revised the text to indicate that the turbofan engines were conversions of the original turbojet engines and not new-build engines. Also amended Note 4 which previously indicated that VH-EBH to VH-EBM were re-delivered in the V-Jet livery. It is now known that VH-EBH and VH-EBI were delivered in an interim livery.
1
30MAR05
 Original issue.