One aircraft birthday that may not be celebrated

[Melburnian1]

Today (10 June) it's about 100 days until the most elderly of the QF B744 remaining fleet, VH-OJM, turns 25 as I gather its delivery date was 17 September 1991.

It is almost seven years older than the next oldest B744 in QF's fleet.

With these aircraft having a limited remaining life with QF, perhaps some AFF member with loads of cash and spare time should book a flight on the old bird and celebrate her quarter of a century assuming that she is still operating on that date.

They're not known as 'Queen of the Skies' for nothing.

One comment I always remember is AFF member JohnPhelan saying (and he wasn't the sole AFFer to state this, just that it is easier to remember his quote) that QF's ill-advised disposal of two of the B744s has at times led to 'rolling 24 hour delays.'

There is a very limited number of airlines into and out of Oz on which one can travel on B744s now, but surely this aircraft model will in our lifetimes be fondly recalled by those many who have had a or multiple trips.

 

[russ]

As you say, probably not something that QF is going to promote.
I think that aircraft was flying when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister!

 

[Melburnian1]

russ, yes, Hawke was Prime Minister until 20 December 1991, so this aircraft was three months old when 'Old Jellyback' as his successor (who preferred Paris to Australia) called him.

 

[Mattg]

I flew on VH-OJM last year. Sure, she's starting to show her age but was still a nice aircraft to fly on.

25 may be pretty old in terms of aircraft age, but she certainly won't be the oldest aircraft in the skies! American Airlines still operates 767s delivered in 1988 and 757s delivered in 1985. And if you think that's bad, I was just having a look at the Peruvian Airlines fleet the other day. They are still operating a Boeing 737-200 delivered in 1979! :shock: Look up "OB-1841-P" if you don't believe me.

Personally, I'm not too worried about the age of the aircraft I'm flying on, as long as it's being maintained well.

 

[Melburnian1]

I'm not too worried about the age of the aircraft I'm flying on, as long as it's being maintained well.

Mattg, yes: this post was merely to remark upon the history. I agree if transport equipment is well maintained, then age - while not immaterial - is not a major concern.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Delta/Northwest only in the last year or two retired DC9s from the 1960's!

 

[technoir]

. . . I was just having a look at the Peruvian Airlines fleet the other day. They are still operating a Boeing 737-200 delivered in 1979! :shock: Look up "OB-1841-P" if you don't believe me.

Personally, I'm not too worried about the age of the aircraft I'm flying on, as long as it's being maintained well.

Cripes... I wonder what Peruvian maintenance standards are like... :-|
In any case, it's not often you see an operating 737 with low bypass turbofans and eyebrow windows these days

 

[russ]

I agree if transport equipment is well maintained, then age - while not immaterial - is not a major concern.

Isn't there a pressurisation cycle limit?

 

[juddles]

....25 may be pretty old in terms of aircraft age, but she certainly won't be the oldest aircraft in the skies! ....

The real scandal isn't the age of the planes - a secret source of mine says that some of the pilots are well over 50!! Can you believe that!!!

 

[jb747]

Some of the Australian Navy A4Gs, delivered in the late '60s, are still flying as aggressors in the USA...and they've had a much harder life than any airliner.