QANTAS 747-400 VH-OJA "CITY OF CANBERRA"

Holidaying in Sydney,  we took a drive to Kiama, a small township 120 kilometres south of Sydney. As we were near Albion Park Rail, I was surprised to see the tail of a "big" Qantas aircraft at the small domestic airport. Curiosity drove us to visit the airport. We later learned that it was a B747-400 donated by Qantas to HARS Museum ( The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc).

 Tail of the Qantas aircraft was visible in the distance. 

 

According to the museum, this was the first B747-400 that Qantas took delivery on 11 August 1989. She was given the official registration of  "VH-OJA" and named "City of Canberra". On the 16 August, 1989, the aircraft created history by flying non-stop from London to Sydney choking a record time of 20 hours and 9 minutes covering the distance of 18,012 km. Currently she is still the record holder of the longest non-stop commercial flight from London to Sydney. In her 25 years in service, she flew 13,833 flights carrying almost 4.1 million passengers over a distance of 85 million kilometers. 

On reaching her "retirement age", Qantas had decided to preserve this iconic aircraft and donated her to HARS. With this historical aircraft, HARS could create a local tourism attraction as well as preserving her. After finalizing all the arrangement, this B747-400 then made one last 10 minutes flight in March 2015 from Sydney to her new home.    

A file picture from the museum showing the historic B747-400 making a precious touchdown on the1,819 meters long, 30 meters wide runway at Albion Park Rail on her final journey.

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc (HARS) is a none profitable organisation formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of the aviation history. The entrance fee for a guided tour is AUD20 per adult.

We were invited to board this B747-400 by the museum guide.

The Museum tour  guide was briefing the guests re history and cabin facilities of this aircraft. 

The economy class cabin.

Business class.

Our first class seats on upper deck!

The cockpit.

A photo to remember.

Later, we visited the two hangers where some of the most amazing historical aircrafts were. The guide was very keen to share his passion for all the historical flying machines.

I was impressed with the condition of this world famous "Connie" Lockheed Super Constellation, the airliner of the 1950's that conquered the world. 

 

 Boarding the fabulous aircraft of the 50s.

The well maintained cabin of the 50s. I was told that this aircraft was still serviceable. It was really amazing.

Other aircrafts in display were Neptune Bombers, the Black Cat Catalina, the flying troop carriers of World War 2, the C47 Dakota and many others as shown in the pictures below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 There also have a good collection of aircraft engines.

This Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters from Vietnam war with an American jeep in the back ground..

An "evergreen" serviceable DC3.

 

  Cabin was still fitted with the original seats including all the window curtains.

I have many fond memories of the DC3(s) as I used to travel in them frequently in the 60s and 70s. 

If you are interested in the aviation history, this museum is definitely recommended. It is located at:
Corner Airport Road and Boomerang Road, Albion Park Rail. NSW 2527, Australia.