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#82
8th March 2015, 11:12 AM
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#83
8th March 2015, 12:04 PM
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What a great morning for the final flight of Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJA, departing Sydney around 07:30 as QF7474 and arriving at Illawarra Regional
Airport just after 07:47 local time - a very short 15 minute hop for its final service. As I approached the airport, the overpasses on the freeway were crowded with spectators, and around the airport itself there was a huge turnout. I spoke to two people who had travelled down from the Blue Mountains, and I imagine there were more from further afield. After the touchdown there was spontaneous applause from the crowd, and again after VH-OJA had been pushed back to the HARS hanger and the APU shut down for the last time. Nice to be at Illawarra Regional Airport for a moment in history, as a "Queen Of The Skies" finished her 25 year of service with Qantas. Congratulations to the pilots, it would have to have been the perfect landing. On final approach over a massive crowd   The final touchdown for VH-OJA  Only idle reverse thrust applied, as the outer engines were over the grass  Three engines will be removed and returned to active service with Qantas, however as other engines reach the use by date, they will be fitted to complete the aircraft again.   Tender 1 from Sydney Airport was on hand to provide ARFF services should they be needed - the tug was being shipped from Queensland to Melbourne and HARS asked if they could use it for a month to shift the aircraft to its final resting place  VH-OJA was shut down on the runway and pushed back to a temporary position outside the HARS hanger    A raised hat salute by the Tech Crew for a great aircraft - you can see the special mat placed on the apron to protect it. The final resting place is on a newly laid concrete apron behind this position  Good bye to Qantas service - come and see me at Illawarra Regional Airport  After the media interviews, the Tech Crew walked back to the crowd gathered outside the HARS hanger  When everything was over, Tender 1 sprayed its water load so it could go on a truck for transport back to Sydney Airport  Excitement and smiling faces all around for the pilots 
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Joined 1999 @www16Right FlightDiary Airliners Web QR Retired PPL C150/172 PA28-161/181 Pitts S-2B SIM: 12Hr QF B767 B744 CX B742 Nikon D100-D200-D300-D500 Last edited by Grahame Hutchison; 8th March 2015 at 03:53 PM.
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#85
8th March 2015, 12:33 PM
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Thanks Grahame & everyone for your photos & videos! I'm sure you all had a great time and, while part of me definitely wanted to be there, the other part couldn't face another stupid-o'clock rise & 3 hour drive. You've made me feel like I was there, so thank you!
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#87
8th March 2015, 01:34 PM
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Quote:
 Btw excellent selection of pics Grahame and Nigel. Many thanks for posting.
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#88
8th March 2015, 01:52 PM
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from abc news
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-0...ongong/6288748 Bottom shot with crew member with head out cockpit hatch.
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#89
8th March 2015, 02:31 PM
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Great photos and videos from everyone, thanks for sharing with those of us unable to attend.
Whilst this aircraft still holds (I think) the record for the longest 747 flight (the 1989 delivery flight from LHR to SYD), I got thinking whether this flight at just 48 miles might have been the shortest flight by a 747. But probably not as SAA have delivered both a 747SP and a 742 to Rand Airport, presumably from JNB which is a mere 9 miles away - though I suspect that the distance actually flown was somewhat more.
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Aircraft Types flown: DC4, F27, 727, BAC111, 747, DC9, 707, DC8, 767, F28, A300, A330, BAE146, 737, A320, A310, DC10, 717, 757, 777, A340, 787, A380, A350.
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#90
8th March 2015, 02:40 PM
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Linear Mode
