Boeing 707-138B VH-XBA

2nd and final test flight, at Southend (UK), of Australia's first civil jet aircraft (Apologies for the wind noise - it was gusting 22kts). Also the first 707 sold by Boeing to a foreign customer, and the first short bodied, QANTAS specific, model -138. Departed for Sydney via Dublin, Tenerife, Orlando, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Nadi 2 days later. It will eventually reside at the QANTAS FOUNDATION MEMORIAL museum in Longreach, Queensland.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Boeing
• 707
• VH_XBA
• QANTAS
• Longreach
• Southend

[jazzboyfin]

What date was this?

I lived in the Southend area (Hadleigh) from 1962 to 1981 and remember the very occasional 707 flying over Hadleigh Junior School.

Am I right in saying the runway at Southend was rather short (5000ft?) and so only an empty 707 could take off or land there?

Anyway much more interesting than the usual old Carvaires (remember those?)

Peter

[hovertaxi]

This first test flight was conducted on the 2nd of December 2006. It is/was most likely the last 707 to fly from from Southend. Yes, you are correct, only unladen 707's could operate from Southend's 5000ft runway. I beg to differ regards the Carvair - only 21 of those were built, as opposed to 1000+ 707's. If only I'd had a video camera then!!

[Jeremycj]

What were the planes which took cars over from Southend to Le Touquet in the 60's ?

[hovertaxi]

Two types were in use during the early 60's. First the Bristol Freighter, and then the Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (this is probably the one you're thinking of).

[colhunt76]

Nothing sounds like 4 TF-33s.

Something I wish I could hear in person. I'm transferring out of a KC-135 unit in 2 weeks and will miss my plane dearly. We still have a few E-models in storage and they run them occasionally, but I've never seen a takeoff.

[Ririaviation972]

Beautiful video !

[aussiepaul44]

A very unique aircraft. The 138B version was only produced for QANTAS by Boeing and there was only 13 of this kind built. Great video. There's also some more video footage of this aircraft taken on its arrival at Longreach ,Queensland ,Australia.

[MrFelt1000]

the trivolta 707

[tonybklyn]

3:56-4:03 gives me goosebumps. I have and always will love the engine whine of those old pratt & whitney engines. There's nothing quite like it.

[Jeremycj]

@hovertaxi Thanks. THey made a terrible whining noise over Margate in the early mornings

[hereHehereHE]

@hovertaxi how much does it cost to maintain a 707?

[78720]

funny ive always those this awsome aircraft was retired it isnt had a few crashes in 08 lol

[TheJetwax]

Thanks Hoverjet, Lovely to see her go through her paces. I more than likely have flown on her. My first 707 flight was on a Qantas flight we picked up in Nandi through to San Francisco in March 1960. Over the next five years had a number of Qantas flights from Europe to Auckland or Christchurch, transferring in Sydney to Electras for the Tasman hop. Great plane!

[erniegannsmate]

The number of times I paused at Corrosion Corner at SND wondering if the old bird would fly again or become razor blades...well, she did it, but knowing my luck I was out of the country then ;-(. So THANKS FOR POSTING!! I can imagine the bellow when she unstuck - drive your ears halfway into your skull!