Aussie's 1st jet airliner arrives home today.

[Shannow]

Qantas' first 707 arrived back home today after being reconditioned (by a Saudi Prince ???).

Apparently the plane was
* 1st oversease order for 707;
* 1st jet airliner to land in Oz;
* 1st jet ariliner to complete circuit of the globe;
* other stuff http://www.heritage.gov.au/

I wish that the media would get their $hit together and tell us when these things are happening, giving people an opportunity to participate, rather than reporting on what they saw today.

 

[Shannow]

(should read :smack: )

Mods, please shift this to off topic...multiple tabs open needs multiple diligence.

 

[427Z06]

Did you ever hear the story of the test pilot that barrel rolled a prototype?

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/707_roll_video.htm

 

[Shannow]

427Z06, I'd heard it was a 747...it's cool that it was the first serious airliner...thanks for the link.

 

[double vanos]

Did you ever hear the story of the test pilot that barrel rolled a prototype?

Yeah, his name was Tex Johnson and he was Boeings' main test pilot for years.

When he decided to do it on a fly by demo over Lake Seattle his copilot opined to him that he would probably get fired.

The first officer took a picture out of his window in the middle of the barrel roll and it shows Lake Seattle in the background with the wing and engine upside
down in the forefront. It hangs in Boeings main office building to this day.

I read somewhere that Tex also flew the first prototype 747, and the company had so much money into the endeavor that, as Tex got ready to board the aircraft, the president of Boeing told him if he wrecked the plane the company was gone....

Very interesting career!! I wonder if he used GRPIII or IV in his cars - that way we're not too far off topic! Cheers!

 

[double vanos]

Whoops! make that Lake Washington!!! All in all a very neat guy!

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

Shannow I agree, I would have liked to have seen that 707.
Roger

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Quote:

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(should read :smack: )

Mods, please shift this to off topic...multiple tabs open needs multiple diligence.

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Loosen UP, Sandy baby!

 

[rotorray]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwzm3WNzObI&mode=related&search=