Qantas Boeing 707, Longreach, Qld

In 2006 the Qantas Founders Museum purchased this aircraft, which was a British Airlines reject, left to rust away at a scrap yard in England for £1 plus VAT. It took 10 days to fly from England to the Australia as it was only capable of flying short distances and enjoyed a stop over in America, where it was paired up with a fellow Boeing 707 owned by John Travolta. 

During our tour of the aircraft, which now rests at the Qantas Founders Museum we were informed the aircraft chartered the Jackson 5 group between gigs and in later years Michael Jackson wanted to purchase the aircraft, but was prevented under USA Aviation rules restricting 707s due to noise.

This particular Boeing 707 Jet built in America in the 1950's serviced Qantas under VH-EBA for many years before being operated by other airlines and private operators. With an abundant and varied history this aircraft definitely has some stories to tell. For example in 1981 an American firm decided to refurbish the aircraft and sell it to the new emerging market of private jet ownership. In its infancy the only people looking to purchase in this new market space were Saudi Princes. Therefore, the firm went Opulent with a Capital 'O' decking out the interior with teak timber, gold trim and white leather seats. The asking price was $51 million... But, when taken to a Saudi airline expo it didn't sell. Not for the enormous price tag, but because the American firm had used pig skin to cover the seats. The Saudi's weren't interested in sitting on what they deem to be a filthy animal so the aircraft was taken unsold back to America. A few months later a Perth business man purchased the magnificently lavish plane for an undisclosed price. It doesn't appear the price paid though was anything close to the asking price, as the American firm went bankrupt shortly afterwards. The gold has since been removed and the leather seats replaced, but the teak timber detailing still exists, which makes it hard to imagine why it was left derelict. Amazing work to the volunteers that worked tirelessly to bring it back to Australia and restored it with life.