eksath From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1137 posts, RR: 27 Posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 14022 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW ARTICLE EDITOR
While all the controversy and hype rages around the 787's troubles, the aviation fans at MIA have been treated with this special bird "Dreamliner" analog.
This ex Qantas bird has been captured at MIA for the last couple of years as she got refurbished. The new color scheme it received has made it quite a star!
Captured in glorious flight by Joe Pries! Seen at the point of rotation! A dynamic shot that has been the chase of many, captured perfectly by Joe. I thought you guys would get a kick out of it!
aacun From Mexico, joined Jan 2004, 431 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 13955 times:
It took off right in front of me yesturday.I almost pulled aside to take pictures, but it was impossible. It was quite a sight nevertheless. Beauty at its best.
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 4521 posts, RR: 26 Reply 2, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 13907 times:
Quoting eksath (Thread starter): Captured in glorious flight by Joe Pries! Seen at the point of rotation! A dynamic shot that has been the chase of many, captured perfectly by Joe. I thought you guys would get a kick out of it!
The three in flying condition are the Boeing colours one above, John Travolta's, and the one that they restored and flew back to Australia in 2007.
Actually the restoration of this aircraft is covered in a great amount of detail with loads of pictures in a diary format on the same web site, accessed here. Loads of detail and interesting pics on what it took to get a 707 that hadn't flown for 6 years back into the air and to fly it to Australia. Well worth a read if you haven't read it - it's the Daily Diary Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 at this link -
I am not affiliated with the site, just found it fascinating what these retired mechanics had to do to get VH-EBA back into the air and back "home". Well recommended!
I do quite enjoy a spot of flying - more so when it's not in Economy!
crownvic From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1593 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 12528 times:
Over many years of my life, I have seen so many older airliners ferry out of S. Florida after extensive work, only to see them wind up in third world nations, especially Africa. The sad reality is, many of these aircraft wind up in countries with unstable governments and when they change hands, many of the former leaders either flee the country, or they meet a worse fate! Lets hope this beautiful 707 is not going on a one-way flight to the Congo.
a320fan From Australia, joined Apr 2009, 17 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 11230 times:
Look's Beautiful. So what Is this aircraft to be used for? To me, it appears it would be a great airshow demonstrator showing off Boeing's history. Imagine a line of all 7x7 models in the same livery.
I hate my Username. Why did I have to make an account as a 14 year old :(
viscount630 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 223 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 10011 times:
I used to be involved in the handling of this Old Gal back in the mid-70s when she was Lakers G-AWDG (Or "Dirty Gertie" as she was fondly known ) Their then fleet of 2 707-138s were kept very busy on a mixture of European ITs and trans-Atlantic charters (and the Caribbean schedule) and I remember them as being pretty reliable workhorses. Good to see her still active
cv990coronado From South Africa, joined Nov 2007, 271 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 9954 times:
What a beautiful aircraft ! I remember seeing the Qantas VJet on take off from LHR as a boy. In those days she was a very big and impressive machine - especially when you are 10.
SSC-707B727 737-741234SP757/762/3/772/WA300/10/319/2/1-342/3/6-880-DAM-VC10 TRD 111 Ju52-DC8/9/10/11-YS11-748-VCV DH4B L
Connie58 From Australia, joined Jun 2011, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 8540 times:
I was but a lad when I worked on the B707- 138s at Qantas.
They only had L1049Gs when I started my apprenticeship plus a few DC4s.
The introduction of the B 707-138 was a real change of style.
cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 15, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 5213 times:
First, some recent history. The current leader of Congo has vowed to keep this 707 as the head of state aircraft because his father was shot on the tarmac and dragged back onboard where he expired. His blood is in the aircraft including the carpet which was apparently carpeted over, not replaced (a Congolese version of Jackie Kennedy not changing her dress after her husband's assassination - you will recall the scene aboard a different head of state 707 where she still has Kennedy's bloody handprints on her clothes as his successor is sworn in).
But it's proving expensive as the Congolese 707 is in terrible condition. Even after a multi-million dollar heavy check, she cannot be delivered to Congo yet - four test flights all abandoned. The first was over a year ago and by the time they got back, the FE's panel was lit up like a Xmas tree. A year of repairs and recently there have been three more aborted flights. On the first, an aircon pipe blew and the aircraft decompressed, emergency descent and landing. Next attempt only got as far as the taxiway before the antiskid system failed and a tire blew. Most recent flight ended prematurely after an engine failed / had to be shutdown.
There is a plan to deliver her via S America but more sqwawks to be fixed and a successful test flight must be completed first. Meanwhile the MRO in Miami will continue their game of whack-a-mole.
In my opinion she's just too old and too cranky to serve as a reliable transport, especially in a hostile environment like Kinshasa. At some point the race is run and I think that time has come.
Btw her superficial condition is excellent, interior very modern, APU (very rare on a 707) is new, engines cockpit and exterior all look great. She's just really really old.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
JAGflyer From Canada, joined Aug 2004, 3320 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 4977 times:
The sad reality is the oldest, cheapest aircraft go to the poorest/most unstable countries. The African aviation system is full of end-of-useful-life aircraft which are CHEAP. To many airlines in Africa, an airplane of any type is as good or acceptable as a brand new 777. The passengers know no better.
Supported the beer and soda can industry, recycle old airplanes!
fraspotter From South Korea, joined May 2004, 2314 posts, RR: 10 Reply 17, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 4563 times:
Quoting a320fan (Reply 7): Look's Beautiful. So what Is this aircraft to be used for? To me, it appears it would be a great airshow demonstrator showing off Boeing's history. Imagine a line of all 7x7 models in the same livery.
Would love to see it on a 727!
"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
warden145 From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 426 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 3987 times:
Quoting cedarjet (Reply 15): Btw her superficial condition is excellent, interior very modern, APU (very rare on a 707) is new, engines cockpit and exterior all look great. She's just really really old.
Was this APU factory-installed, or was it added at a later date?
QANTAS747-438 From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1800 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 3929 times:
That is a terrible rendition of the Boeing colors! The blue doesn't blend, nor is it smooth, and the 707 titles are the wrong font. Terrible.
My posts/replies are strictly my opinion and not that of any company, organization, or Southwest Airlines.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 21, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 3239 times:
Quoting warden145 (Reply 18): Was this APU factory-installed, or was it added at a later date?
Only military B-707s had factory nstalled APUs. All airliners had no APU, but some were later added. Boeing's first commerical airplane type with factory APU was the B-727.
PanAmPaul From United States of America, joined Jan 2013, 77 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2900 times:
Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 19): That is a terrible rendition of the Boeing colors! The blue doesn't blend, nor is it smooth, and the 707 titles are the wrong font. Terrible.
I think it gets A+ for creativity but C- for execution (esp. the Earl Scheibs paint job)
DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16808 posts, RR: 57 Reply 23, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2866 times:
Quoting PanAmPaul (Reply 22): I think it gets A+ for creativity but C- for execution (esp. the Earl Scheibs paint job)
You would think that you could get someone at Boeing to give you a good deal on the real deal paint job in exchange for using the plane in a marketing shoot.
warden145 From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 426 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2636 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 21): Only military B-707s had factory nstalled APUs. All airliners had no APU, but some were later added. Boeing's first commerical airplane type with factory APU was the B-727.
That's what I thought, but when I saw the APU mentioned, I thought that maybe QANTAS special-ordered them, particularly given how different the -138 is from the rest of the -120's...
Thank you
ETOPS = Engine Turns Off, Passengers Swim
25 eksath: She departed at approx 1200H on Saturday, Jan 26th. She used 9 and gave the photographers there a wonderful final view. It appears she has already re
26 mesaflyguy: Such a beautiful aircraft. I have actually never seen a 707 in person but it is a beautiful piece of machinery. Hopefully this aircraft will have a lo
27 LH707330: I think Qantas had APUs on their birds because of their stops in Fiji where they had minimal facilities in the good old days. I know their first one,
28 ClassicLover: No. Qantas didn't have an APU in their aircraft. The APU on VH-XBA was added at a later time, probably upon VIP conversion.
29 s4popo: I was driving west on 836 when I saw a 4-holer taking off towards me. It was way too small for a 747 or a A340. I quickly realized it was the 707, an
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) Their then fleet of 2 707-138s were kept very busy on a mixture of European ITs and trans-Atlantic charters (and the Caribbean schedule) and I remember them as being pretty reliable workhorses. Good to see her still active 
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Besides, there's no sound like the roar of four JT-3D's 
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