Added an image of the former VH-EBS in Malaysian Airline System livery as 9M-MCS thanks to Doug Green.

There have been several images added to the site:

VH-EBE as N793NA in storage at San Antonio
VH-EBF as N792FA in El Al colours
VH-EBG as N707KS in VIP config
VH-EBH as VR-CAN in VIP config
VH-EBK as N58937 stripped of paint
VH-EAE in service at Heathrow
VH-EAG with end of 707 era markings
VH-EBX in British Caledonian colours as G-BCAL
VH-EBZ in Flying Tiger colours with El Al titles as N324F
VH-EBZ in Aer Lingus colours with Arkia titles as EI-ASO

Non-Qantas 707 additions:

The RAAF's A20-261 in service with Saudia as HZ-ACI
Transcorp's VH-HTC pre-delivery as D-ABUA

Added an image of the former VH-EAG being dismantled at Richmond. The forward fuselage will be preserved by the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and the fin/rudder will be displayed at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach.

There have been several images added to the site.
VH-EBA at Tokyo in 1961.
VH-EBC operating the inaugural SYD/SFO flight on 29JUL59. Thanks Joe Plemenuk.
VH-EBJ as OE-INA in Montana Austria colours.
VH-EBL as N107BN in Braniff colours. Thanks Robert Phillips.
VH-EBM as N108BN in Braniff colours. Thanks Robert Phillips.
VH-EBV as 9J-AEL in Zambia Airways colours #1.
VH-EBV as 9J-AEL in Zambia Airways colours #2.
VH-EBV as 9J-AEL in Zambia Airways colours #3.
VH-EBX as LV-MZE in TAR colours.

There are also several new images of 707s of other operators.
A20-103 RAAF
A20-261 RAAF
VR-HTC Transcorp
HC-BTB AECA Cargo

Vicki Maynes (nee English) was a Flight Attendant with Airmark Corporation when they operated the former VH-EBA as N220AM. Vicki has kindly provided a photo of herself and fellow Flight Attendant Lynn Daugherty (nee DeGrasse) with Michael Jackson in the cabin of N220AM. Thanks Vicki.

Thanks to the power of the Internet, we have been contacted by David Rowland who was Vice-President Operations for Airmark Corporation when that company operated the former VH-EBA as an executive aircraft. David has provided a detailed insight into Airmark's use of the aeroplane, particularly with regard to the Michael Jackson connection. David has also provided several images of the cabin and the cockpit. Thank you David for this most valuable contribution to the history of this famous aeroplane. Airmark Corporation and the former VH-EBA

Thanks to Jon Proctor for providing this magnificent study of VH-EBA in the special 40th anniversary livery at New York, Idlewild in August 1960.

The former VH-EBG has been sighted at Nairobi bringing President Kabila for talks on the emerging humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thanks to Jeroen de Clercq for the sighting and this image.

Added an image of the dismantling of EL-AKJ, the other Southend 707. Thanks to Phil Whalley for this sad image.

The latest news from Longreach-on-Sea is that the "QFM Executive Suite of Offices" has not entirely surrendered its green heritage.

Added an image of A20-629 (formerly VH-EAI) in tanker configuration at RAAF Amberley in 2004 thanks to Nick Sayer.

Added an image of VH-EAI in transit at Rome on 9 September 1969. Thanks to Peter Truscott who was a passenger on the aircraft from Hong Kong to London.

Thanks to Yvonne Chong we have added a selection of images from the reception at the Australian High Commission in London on 18 July 2006.

Thanks to Ian Dorling of ATC Lasham in Southend we are able to present the remarkable story of Longreach on Sea.

Thanks to some excellent detective work by 707 enthusiast Richard Vandervord in the UK, we now know that the former VH-EBK was intact much longer than previously believed and in all probability is still intact at the time of writing. Richard's story bears repeating. While his son was watching the movie Black Hawk Down, Richard noticed that one scene included a 707 in the background. Closer examination revealed that it was registered CN-ANS, the former VH-EBK which was last heard of with the Moroccan Government in the late eighties. Further investigation revealed that Black Hawk Down was indeed filmed at Kenitra in Morocco. Using Google Earth, Richard has established that the aeroplane was still intact as recently as 14 December 2006. Thank you Richard. All we need now is for someone to utter those immortal words; "We should go and get that".

VH-EBK as she appeared in Black Hawk Down

VH-EBK as she appears on Google Earth

Added an image of VH-EBA at London Heathrow on 14 September 1963.
Added an image of VH-EAC as G-BDKE during the BCAL lease of 1975.
Added an image of VH-EBB as TC-JBN with Turkish Airlines.
Added an image of VH-EBB in executive configuration as N790FA.
Added an image of VH-EBO as 9V-BFN with Singapore Airlines Cargo.
Added an image of VH-EBT as G-BFLE in LAM livery.
Added an image of HS-125 VH-ECF on the grass at Hatfield.

The nose section of VR-CAN (formerly VH-EBH) is to be converted into a simulator. Thanks to Dan Brownlee for this image.

Following the retirement of the last RAAF 707 on 30 June, changes have been made to the layout of the site. The page which previously recorded 707 operators other than Qantas (RAAF and Ansett) has been split into two. The RAAF page has been expanded with new information and images. Similarly, the Ansett page now includes two images of their aeroplane.

The full story of the restoration of VH-XBA is now accessible in the public area of this website.

The Daily Diary - Vol 1 (30JAN06 to 21NOV06)

The Daily Diary - Vol 2 (22NOV06 to 07DEC06)

Dick Woodrow has provided a list of his flights on VH-EBA from 17OCT63 to 13FEB66. These details have been incorporated into the history of VH-EBA.

It has been our practice to include contributed log book extracts for VH-EBA within the history page for the aeroplane. Although this will continue, there have been several instances where these contributions have been sufficiently extensive to demand presentation as a stand-alone document. These documents, which can be viewed as a PDF (Portable Document Format), have been listed in a table on the page for VH-EBA.

Added a summary of arrivals of non-British subjects on VH-EBA from 27AUG59 to 14FEB67 sourced from the National Archives of Australia by Colin Lock. This summary can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Added a summary of flights by VH-EBA from 26JUL59 to 31OCT67 sourced from the log book of Bill Strangward by Colin Lock. This summary can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Added a summary of flights by CF-PWV (formerly VH-EBA) from 23NOV67 to 15APR68 sourced from the log book of Bill Strangward by Colin Lock. This summary can be downloaded as a PDF here.

The former VH-EBG, now 9Q-CLK, is on the move again in connection with meetings regarding the disputed Zimbabwe election.

The page on the Qantas HS-125s has been expanded and several new images have been added. The page now includes a brief reference to the Department of Civil Aviation HS-125 VH-CAO and the Department's lease of VH-ECE while their own aircraft was being repaired after a landing accident. Unfortunately, "Mouse" still defies identification.

Recently, Bill Fishwick challenged the statement that the Qantas HS-125s were not given individual names. Bill had a distinct recollection that one of the aircraft was named "Mouse" for a brief period. Much discussion ensued and several engineers supported Bill's recollection although none could provide any proof. That was until Roger Chin delved into his archives. Thanks to Roger, who is still licensed on the aeroplane, we have been able to add this image of Mouse. We are still trying to establish which aeroplane carried the name.

Added an image of the former VH-EBA in Pacific Western livery as C-FPWV.

Added an image of VH-EBC in September 1959, probably taken at Honolulu. This image comes from the collection of the late Barry Flood, one of the founders of the Queensland Air Museum.

Reader Stephen Swayne has contributed this image of a certificate which was presented to him to commemorate his crossing the equator on VH-EBN. Thanks Steve.

Bill Fishwick has now provided us with a written account of his time at Avalon in the early days of the 707. Bill's story complements the wonderful photographs which he contributed earlier. Thanks Bill.

Bill's Story

Bill's Photos

Sometimes it is possible to admire an image of a beautiful aeroplane without appreciating what is going on at the time the photo was taken. Robert Phillips has elaborated on the circumstances surrounding this image of the former VH-EBB which was supplied by Paul Hockey. Thanks Robert.

N790SA #1

Added an image of the former VH-EBG as N707KS when the aircraft was owned by Sheikh Salem bin Laden.

Bill Fishwick has contributed an account of an engine change on VH-EAI in Tahiti in May 1971. The story is illustrated with several of Bill's wonderful photos.

Added five new images:
VH-EBD in Laker Airways livery as G-AVZZ
VH-EBO with GAS Air Cargo titles as 5N-ARQ
VH-EBT in Gulf Air Cargo colours as G-BFLE
N7099 in TMA colours (very faded) as OD-AFY
N7099 in TMA colours (freshly painted) as OD-AFY

Thanks to Phil Vabre of the Civil Aviation Historical Society, we have an interesting photo of an unidentified crew member in the cockpit of VH-EBB, probably not long after the aeroplane was delivered to Sydney. Can anyone identify the gentleman?
Next time you are in Melbourne, visit the CAHS Airways Museum at Essendon.

Thanks to Lumain van Vuuren, General Manager Admin of FAAircraft Interiors and Exteriors (Pty) Ltd in Lanseria, South Africa, we have a comprehensive selection of images of the recent refurbishment of the former VH-EBG.
Thanks also to Barry Stanley who has provided interesting anecdotes regarding VH-EBG when she served with British Eagle and Laker.
Thanks also to Ian Gurney for telling us about an eventful ferry flight in SU-FAB, formerly VH-EBI.

Bill Fishwick has discovered another batch of slides taken at Avalon and Sydney in 1959-61. These have been appended to his earlier contribution. Thanks Bill.

She lives! The elusive VH-EBG has turned up in South Africa. The aeroplane is still in service with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as 9Q-CLK. She was photographed at Lanseria, South Africa just ten days ago while visiting for interior modifications. Thanks to Ian Malcolm of AFAVIA for the images.

9Q-CLK #1
9Q-CLK #2
9Q-CLK #3
9Q-CLK #4

Thanks to a heads-up from QFM's Patron, Ron Yates, we have learned that Karen Glass delivered a talk on the 707 Project to the Qantas Flight Hostess Club at the august Queen's Club on 22 May. A transcript of Karen's talk can be found here.

Now that XBA is not making history on a daily basis, I have been able to catch up with a backlog of historical images.

VH-EBD in the V-Jet scheme at San Francisco thanks to Bill Fishwick.
VH-EBK on her way to BWIA as 9Y-TDB thanks to Russell Smith.
VH-EBF in the original livery thanks to Daryl Jordan.
VH-EBL on the production line thanks to Fran Short.
VH-EBL with C.O. Turner thanks to Fran Short.
VH-EBL fresh out of the paintshop thanks to Fran Short.
VH-EBL on the flight line thanks to Fran Short.
VH-EBM during JT's recent visit to Stansted thanks to Keith Burton.
VH-EBM during JT's recent visit to Stansted thanks to Keith Burton.
VH-EBQ in MAS colours as 9M-MCQ thanks to Peter Gates.
VH-EBC in the original livery thanks to Peter Gates.
VH-EBF in the V-Jet scheme thanks to Peter Gates.
VH-EBJ in the V-Jet scheme thanks to Peter Gates.
VH-EBH in BWIA colours as 9Y-TDC from the Webmaster's collection.
VH-EBJ in Montana colours as OE-INA from the Webmaster's collection.
VH-EBM as N707JT from the Webmaster's collection.
N7099 in an all white scheme as OD-AFY from the Webmaster's collection.
VH-EBU with military serial 67-30053 (JSTARS) from the Webmaster's collection.

Now that VH-XBA has been decommissioned at Longreach, we have been able to close off the Daily Diary with Norman King's final report. Highlight of this report is a sound recording of Ian Dorling's moving speech at the Longreach dinner on 10 June 2007.

Even though the Daily Diary is now concluded, this website will be maintained indefinitely, albeit at a less frenetic pace.

There is a new page on Qantas 707 operations to Saigon during the Vietnam war. Skippy Squadron organiser and former Qantas Flight Service Director, Alan Kitchen, particularly wants to hear from Qantas tech crew who operated these flights.

There have been two additions to our collection of VH-XBA video.
The Canberra crew familiarisation flights on 7 June thanks to Steve Rowland.
The arrival in Longreach on 10 June thanks to Greg Weir.
Added an image of VH-EBA after withdrawal from Qantas service in October 1967. Thanks to Neil Follett.

As VH-XBA prepares to depart Sydney for the last time, it is appropriate that we should be able to present a series of 40 year-old images depicting what was thought at the time to be her last departure from Sydney. These photographs of EBA prior to her delivery to Pacific Western Airlines as CF-PWV, were taken by Paul Hockey who probably imagined it was the last time he would see EBA. Little was he to know in 1967 that nearly 40 years later, EBA would re-enter his life in a big way. Paul is one of the volunteer engineers who made it possible for EBA to return to Australia permanently.

CF-PWV #1
CF-PWV #2
CF-PWV #3
CF-PWV #4

Paul has also contributed two images of the former VH-EBB prior to delivery to Standard Airways as N790SA.

N790SA #1
N790SA #2

Many thanks Paul.

Added a new page titled Qantas and the 707. This page was written by Dr Ron Yates who is the world authority on the subject. Our thanks to Ron Yates for permission to reproduce this paper.

Charles Page has sent us a remarkable story of how VH-EBA touched his life. Don't miss A Page from the History of VH-EBA. Thank you Charles.

Added two new pages.
The Long and the Short of "The Qantas Boeing" tells the true story of how the 707-138 came to be 10 feet shorter than other 707s.
QFM's Quotable Quotes lists some of the more memorable quotes from the QFM 707 Project, the printable ones anyway!

The remarkable story of X-RAY BRAVO ALPHA has been told on a series of 11 panels which have been placed on display at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach. All 11 panels can be viewed here.

Noted aviation artist, Nikyla Smith, has just completed a magnificent painting of VH-EBA arriving over Sydney Harbour on her delivery flight. The painting is featured here.

Peter Gates has filled a gap in our photo coverage with an image of VH-EBR in the V-Jet livery. Can anyone identify the location? Thanks Peter.

Bruce Hoy has provided us with two images of VH-EBA taken at Eagle Farm, Brisbane on 19 December 1959. Bruce has been able to deduce the exact date as he recalls that he was at the airport to meet his eldest brother who was returning to Brisbane on the Qantas Super Constellation from Port Moresby. The photos were taken by his father, Eric Hoy. Thanks Bruce.

VH-EBA Loading at Brisbane
VH-EBA This image includes vehicles from three fuel companies.

Bob Kennedy has provided a dramatic photo of VH-EBB landing at Sydney on its delivery flight on 2 July 1959. Thank you Bob.

Des Sullivan from the Qantas Heritage Collection has kindly provided three very interesting photographs:

VH-EBH wearing the interim livery as N-93134
VH-EBI wearing the interim livery prior to delivery
VH-EBI wearing the interim livery and the name Winton after delivery

Thank you Des.

This day in history.
On 7 February 1968 (39 years ago today), the former VH-EBC collided with a building at Vancouver Airport. This photo by Tom Grant was brought to the attention of the Webmaster on this day by Bill Fishwick and approved for use on the website by Tom Grant, also on 7 February. The caption to the photo includes Tom Grant's eyewitness account of the accident as well as a report by Graham Collins on the collateral damage to other aircraft. Thank you Tom and Graham.

David Long has reminded us what a priceless mine of information is to be found in a pilot's log book. David has put his log book to good use to describe his endorsement on the B707-138B while also emphatically putting the business case for the simulator!

The following new images have been added:

VH-EBB at Heathrow in the V-Jet livery (Thanks to Rod McDonnell)
VH-EBG at Heathrow in the V-Jet livery (Thanks to Frank Knottenbeld)
VH-EBI at Heathrow in partial V-Jet livery (Thanks to Frank Knottenbeld)
VH-EBK at Heathrow in the V-Jet livery (Thanks to Frank Knottenbeld)

Frank Knottenbeld advises that he went in search of the former VH-EBP at Cairo in March 2004 only to be told that the aeroplane had been broken up three months earlier. The aircraft had been in use as a restaurant. Frank also advises that the nose section of the leased freighter N7099 is intended for use as a dive wreck!

Richard Vandervord has contributed a very early 707-138 Safety Procedures folder.

Thank you to all contributors.

David Long has contributed an interesting story about The Slender Rice Flower. Thank you David.

In a similar vein, there is also a new page describing the 707-138 Cabin. Thanks to Bill Fishwick and Victor Warren.

When Phill Aberline was seconded from Qantas to Air Pacific, he probably never anticipated that it would fall to him to have the honour of affixing the City of Canberra name and coat of arms to VH-XBA during her Nadi stopover. However, this was not to be Phill's only contribution to the project. During his time in Fiji, he made the acquaintance of a gentleman by the name of Victor Warren. Victor used to live in Vancouver where his wife was a flight attendant with Canadian Pacific. Victor, bless him, liked to photograph aeroplanes and sometime around 1960 he took a series of colour slides of a Qantas Boeing 707-138 at Vancouver. Significantly, Victor also photographed the first class and economy class cabins. What is of even greater significance is that the aeroplane was VH-EBA. Enjoy!

VH-EBA Head-on view
VH-EBA City of Melbourne
VH-EBA Rear view with a Canadian Pacific Britannia
VH-EBA The First Class cabin
VH-EBA The Economy Class cabin

Thank you to Victor and Phill.

Added 4 new images:
VH-EBN as 9V-BFW with Singapore Airlines titles removed
VH-EBU as B-2426 with Shanghai Airlines
VH-EAA as OO-YCK with Young Cargo
VH-EAA as N733Q in African Express colours

Bill Fishwick has provided an outstanding selection of 16 colour images which he took at Avalon soon after 707 deliveries began in 1959. These remarkable images can be viewed here. Thanks Bill.

Thanks to Southend resident, Tony Rogers, we have video of the two test flights by VH-XBA. The videos are hosted on You Tube and you can find the links here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers.

Readers can now follow the progress of the delivery flight of VH-XBA.

Thanks to Malcolm Nason for driving from Shannon to Dublin to take this sequence of images of VH-XBA landing in Dublin on 8 December.

VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA

Thanks to Gabe Basco in Tenerife for this striking photo of VH-XBA landing at Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia on 8 December.

VH-XBA

Again thanks to Keith Burton we have 8 images of VH-XBA's final departure from Southend. As a Southend resident with a passion for 707s, this was probably a sad occasion for Keith as he has been photographing this aeroplane at SEN for many years. Thank you Keith for your outstanding contribution to the history of the aeroplane.

VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA

Keith Burton has provided more of his wonderful images of VH-XBA's second test flight on 6 December. Thank you Keith.

VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA

Added an image of VH-EAH in Qantas service. Thanks to Rod McDonnell.

Southend resident, Keith Burton, was on hand to record these beautiful images of VH-XBA's first test flight on 2 December. Thank you Keith.

VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA

Thanks to Keith Burton for three stunning images of the taxy trials.

VH-XBA
VH-XBA
VH-XBA

Added four new photos.

VH-EBG as N600JJ in the gold top livery
VH-EBL as N107BN with Merpati Nusantara
VH-EAB as TF-AEC with ZAS Airline of Egypt
VH-EBN as PT-WSZ with Skymaster Airlines of Brazil

For reasons of completeness, there is now a page listing Australian Boeing 707 operators other than Qantas.

For one day in 1992, the former VH-EBO which had left Qantas service twenty years earlier, was named "City of Townsville" once again for old time's sake. Read why.
Thanks Bert.

Results from the search page indicate that readers have been looking for 707 specifications. Thanks to the assistance of Tracey Smiley, there is now a page on 707-138B Specifications.

Added two new photos of VH-EBG taken at Seattle prior to delivery.

VH-EBG The crew inspecting the fifth pod.
VH-EBG Showing the fifth pod and the noise suppressors.

Thanks to Tracey Smiley for sourcing these wonderful photos.
Please contact the Webmaster if you can assign names to the two unidentified crew members in the first photo.