RAAF B707's sold to Omega Air

[Peter Agatsiotis]

June Aviation Letter has reported that the 3 remaining B707's at RAAF Richmond were sold to Omega Air Inc on 7th April.
New registrations have been allocated as follows:

A20-623 to N623RH
A20-624 to N624RH
A20-629 to N629RH

As they have been in storage for some time they will need to be made airworthy (even if only for the ferry flight) so we will have to wait and see who carries this work out, and when.

36 Sqn who looked after and operated the B707's are now based in Amberley taking care of the C-17's so not sure how this exercise will be carried out (if they are involved).

I was at Richmond on the 6th June and the 3 a/c were still parked near the Control Tower.

[Shayne G]

Wow that is great news! :D The day they depart, I'm so gonna be there to see them! Hopefully when the day comes, someone in the know will let us know in advance when the good old classics leave :D

[damien b]

33 SQN actually maintained and operated the 707's, not 36 SQN (they flew the C-130H). Most of them disbursed to other units when the 707's stopped flying and I doubt any personal in the RAAF would be current and authorised to work on the 707 so any work would need to be done by contractors (Omega Air maybe since they brought them).

[Peter Agatsiotis]

My mistake Damien ( I was looking at the current sit.) and as I worked at RIC for 4 years I should have remembered as I met technical guys/gals from all squadrons whilst there. The 33 Sqn guys were always trying to scrounge parts from all over the world to keep the 4 we had flying.

[damien b]

I had a chance to work on them when i was with 486SQN and they maintained the 707's in the 90's but i chose to stay with the C-130's instead - the aircraft certainly pushed the technical skills of many in the later years trying to keep the 707's serviceable and airworthy.

[Danny Rizk]

Looking forward to the departure date!!!

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Good stuff Damien, nice aircraft and whenever they actually flew most of the sqn was out to have a looksy.

I worked in main stores receiving and would prepare all the parts that came in from various suppliers for inspection.
As a spotter I was always interested to see where the 707 parts came from and usually the paperwork would show which a/c the parts came from (usually from a scrap yard in the US with a list of all the parts they removed from that aircraft).
Surprising how many of the a/c I had actually logged many years ago. Good to see they were still useful after retirement.

I very nearly damaged the elevator of one of them when I was backing out of the hangar after delivering a large crate as I hadn't lowered the forklift mast enough and 'missed it by that much!!'

[damien b]

Well you wouldn't have been the first to damage a aircraft with a vehicle if you had hit. I know of several instances that resulted in aircraft being grounded due to vehicle impacts, one for around 12 months.

[Ken D]

For all you 707 fans out there, just let you know that Omega now have tech's working on getting the A/C servicable. Even heard them on the tower freq (irish accent) on Sunday doing tests, so looks like they are working 7 days a week to get them ready. If i hear info re depature dates and times will post here.

[Ken D]

Also you guys might know about this site:

http://www.707.adastron.com/default.htm

If you like 707's have a look, there is some great history about Aussy 707's and what happened to them.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

I was out there yesterday and didn't see any activity around the 707's.

As an aside there were 3 C-17's at Richmond in the space of one hour.
Too slow to get an approach shot of A41-207. One USAF machine departed (must have been there since last week) after another one arrived.

[Ken D]

They are being worked on, today 624 had engine cowls off, and the one parked next to it had cowls off and flaps fully down. Several guys working on some components being unpacked and installed. It will be good to hear the JT3's in full smoke and noise mode soon when they do engine runs (that will get the base switchboard lite up like the old days) :)

Ken

[Tony G]

Heard that the aircrew should be in late July for test flights. So test flights most likely during August.

[Shayne G]

Thank you for the info Tony, I'm happy to see the board is narrowing down the possible departure date(s) and test flights of these classics :D

[Shayne G]

Does anyone have anymore information on this?

..I would really like to witness this event and I'm sure many others would to.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

I was out there yesterday morning (to catch a USAF C17, but it had already left) and couldn't see any activity from where I was parked. Hard to forecast when they will leave without someone in the know giving us a heads up.

[Jaryd stock]

I was there on Monday to see the weekly C-17 arrival aswell I parked around the back of the airport I noticed they had been moved since last time i was there, still in same area but lined up in a row and there was some movement but I was to far away to make out what was going on....and pete if your interested the C-17 serial number was 80056 it came from Pago pago and was based at elmendorf in Alaska.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Cheers Jaryd, yep it left just as I was leaving home (9.30 ish). I parked on the main drag and couldn't see all 3 707's from there.

[Ken D]

Hi guys,

Been all quite this last week or so. I'm sure they will doing power runs on the western apron before departing, so that will be very noticeable for all us locals. Don't worry guys there are a lot of old 707 guys watching this very closely and will report he with any updates so we can all give them a good sent off.

Just hope the USA budget crisis hasn't effected Omega's funding!

Regards

Ken

[Jethro H]

I did read sometime ago on a US business that contractal companies such OARS did have some concerns over further defence budgets in the USA as they rely dependant on the US Defense. OARS I gathered only had a contract with USN. What do they currently operate? I know they only had a couple 707s and a DC10.

[Jaryd stock]

Jethro they operate one DC-10 and don't know if they are back to one or two B707's, after one crashed shortly after takeoff in America couple of months ago...

[Damian N]

I did read sometime ago on a US business that contractal companies such OARS did have some concerns over further defence budgets in the USA as they rely dependant on the US Defense.
Ironically defence budget cuts could help firms like Omega if (for example) it meant an accelerated retirement of existing USAF KC-135s for example in order to avoid maintenence costs.

[Ken D]

Hi Guys,

First a/c has gone into the CCF hanager today for maintenance prior to departure mid October.

[Ken D]

624 is now out of the hangar and carring out engine runs. I would think only idle runs as they have only parked on the lines near the tower and not the western apron. Rumor was that first two a/c to depart prior to 10 October.

[Shayne G]

I much appreciate your info Ken. Are the B707's getting Omega Air liveries applied at Richmond?

I can't wait around Richmond for the next 11 days sadly :D I hope the day can be narrowed down eventually.

[Ken D]

The paint facility at Richmond is currently closed with no operating company resident (there is however a tender out) any paint work would be minor, probably just applying the ferry rego.

[Brenden S]

A ferry rego would most likely be a sticker applied, and is the RAAF titles still on the aircraft at all?

[Ken D]

624 as of yesterday still had all it's RAAF markings including rego.

Regards

Ken

[Brad Varney]

I really really hope they depart on a weekend!

[Ken D]

As I type 624 is of to the western apron for power runs, that will wake up the neighbors :)

Ken

[Ken D]

As I type 624 is of to the western apron for power runs, that wake up the neighbors :)

Ken

[Ken D]

Just noticed it's wearing it's new rego, N624RH

[A McLaughlin]

...which is?

[Jethro H]

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N624RH.html

[A McLaughlin]

Omega has registered two other former RAAF B707s as well...N623RH and N629RH.

These and N624RH were all registered on June 1/2 this year. Former RAAF regos were A20-623, A20-629 and A20-624 respectively.

[A McLaughlin]

http://australianaviation.com.au/2011/10/omega-buys-ex-raaf-707s/

[Ken D]

N629RH is currently being towed out of the CCF hangar for 4 engine idle runs.

Ken

[Brenden S]

I hope that there is some video being taken, last time you will hear these birds.

[Shayne G]

If we find out the date, I'm sure someone will video the 707s! :D

[Ken D]

Looks like 24 oct is the current planned date, crew avalibilty the limiting factor. plan is to fly two a/c out on the day. But it is aviation so subject to change.

[Jayden Laing]

Im not doubting you Ken but last I heard was that they were having difficulty with some type of sensor around the engine intake. Looking at a possible replacement of the sensors which would take up to 2 months.

Do you know more?

[Shayne G]

Jayden, is this issue happening on all 3 aircraft?

Hope it isn't on the 24th, if it is hope its early in the morning! I hate to say it but I hope they are delayed :D

[Jayden Laing]

Cant remember Shayne, possibly. If the sensors needed replacing, it was going to be a wait of up to 2 months as the parts needed to be sourced & fitted to each engine.

[Brad Varney]

Hey all,
up on the central coast now and wandering if the 707's will be doing anything tomorrow, engine power ups ect, just anything you can get an all right photo of one.
thanks

[A McLaughlin]

Word is an inspection will be done this week and the first aircraft could be flown out as early as next weekend (22/10).

[James S.]

That sounds good, please keep us updated if possible, I'd definitely be keen on heading up to Richmond to see them depart.

[Jason Mac]

One is airborne now. Just flew over Richmond

[A McLaughlin]

Two are leaving Sunday from what I hear.

[Brad Varney]

Guess we don't know the times yet.

[Jason Mac]

One departed for Pago Pago at 1230 local and the 2nd one is due out soon after

[Arjun M]

saw a b707 flying outbound just now flying south east from Richmond. Dont know any details but my eyes are going to stay sky bound for now!!

[Brad Varney]

City rail just had to do track work on the western line this weekend didn't they?

[Shayne G]

What was the old aussie and current US rego of the 2nd 707 that departed?

[A McLaughlin]

There was no Aussie rego - the sticker under the US rego had their S/N and 'Boeing 707-338C' on it.

N624RH departed first, and was followed by N629RH about 20 minutes later.

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4846_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4853_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4944_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4970_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_5003_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4812_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4826_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_5095_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_5124_small.jpg

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_5149_small.jpg

N623RH is due to depart Tuesday or Wednesday after a part from the US arrives.

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p402/Magoodotcom/IMG_4838_small.jpg

[Dave Powell]

Great to see them fly again - but sad to see them go....will we ever see a 707 in the air in Oz again once #3 departs?

[A McLaughlin]

Better to see them fly away and be useful elsewhere than see them rust away and then cut up for scrap!

Omega will probably bring them back from time to time for big exercises.

[Brad Varney]

We will occasionally get USAF KC-135's in YSSY too,
One came in a few months ago.
and JT's one.
Beautiful shots, I would of loved to be there :(.

[Michael Mak]

Sad to see them go, saw them both departing at Windsor today.

[Jason Mac]

one from yesterday

[Jaryd stock]

Great shots Andrew, hopefully the third smoker will leave Tuesday rain due to set in on Wednesday

[Bob C]

Fantastic photos Andrew ; thanks for sharing them with us.

[Brenden S]

Choice as shots Andrew. Love the shots from the tower.

[S.Greaves]

A little off topic, but after witnessing the 707's leaving on Sunday I discovered that A20-261, which was purchased by Turbine Motor Works, and flown from Amberley to Manston in 2007 was broken up for parts in April this year. There was an excellent DVD produced about it's return to the air and flight to the UK. History passing before our eyes. At least the 3 from Richmond this week will have productive years ahead of them, and maybe A20-261 will help keep them airworthy.

[A McLaughlin]

621 was broken up but Omega bought most of the useable parts, so at least it will live on in some form.

623 is due to depart RIC today or tomorrow I'm told.

[patrick woodward]

Omega 73 departed Richmond just after midday... heading east!

[Brad Varney]

I hope I see a USAF 707 flying on my trip to HNL.

[James S.]

I hope I see a USAF 707 flying on my trip to HNL.
They only have KC-135R's now I believe (or at least they're all CFM powered, no more TF33's on the 707's) in HNL.

[Brad Varney]

Shame, :( thanks for the info.

[Shayne G]

http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_airforce.xml


On page 11 of the magazine a small piece on the B707s departures last month.

Interestingly says both aircraft entering service will be re-engined instead of only the one being stored. I guess that means all of them will be re-engined eventually.