Qantas Fleet

[oz_mark]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering, does anyone know why and when QF35/6 went from being a 747 to a 330?

Thanks!

IIRC, it was part of the restructure of the Asia operations.

 

[markis10]

OJE is heading to Brisbane Sunday to operate its last service to LAX then to the desert.

 

[JohnPhelan]

OJE is heading to Brisbane Sunday to operate its last service to LAX then to the desert.

To Victorville? I'm planning to be driving through there in the not-too-distant future - how close is it possible to get the aircraft all lined up there? From looking on Google earth and maps, it appears the facility is shared with the USAF, so I'm thinking access may be quite restricted??

 

[markis10]

To Victorville? I'm planning to be driving through there in the not-too-distant future - how close is it possible to get the aircraft all lined up there? From looking on Google earth and maps, it appears the facility is shared with the USAF, so I'm thinking access may be quite restricted??

Yes, VCV will more than likely be her final home, believe its very hard to get access thanks mostly to the surrounding areas being part of an active Army urban training area.

 

[Mr_Orange]

To Victorville? I'm planning to be driving through there in the not-too-distant future - how close is it possible to get the aircraft all lined up there? From looking on Google earth and maps, it appears the facility is shared with the USAF, so I'm thinking access may be quite restricted??

This link - The great aviation graveyard: New aerial images show hundreds of planes left to die across the American deserts | Mail Online - might be of interest.

 

[BD1959]

This link - The great aviation graveyard: New aerial images show hundreds of planes left to die across the American deserts | Mail Online - might be of interest.

There's something inherently sad in these articles - does anyone seriously "hope the planes will fly again"? Well, hope maybe, but in any likelihood?

Would I love to have the money to get one of those L1011/Tristars for my personal jet ... I loved those birds, even if they did very nearly send my family to the wall - father worked at RR at the time.

Thanks for posting Mr Orange - and sorry to take this slightly OT.

Regards,

BD

 

[RooFlyer]

To Victorville? I'm planning to be driving through there in the not-too-distant future - how close is it possible to get the aircraft all lined up there? From looking on Google earth and maps, it appears the facility is shared with the USAF, so I'm thinking access may be quite restricted??

You can see tails and some aircraft bodies from the highway. Access into the base is a public road, so you can get quite a bit closer than the highway. Got a good view a few months ago, but not of the scale of the facility.

There's a big solar farm a bit up the same highway. Worth a stop and a gawk too.

 

[markis10]

TJZ left yesterday, leaving 4 734s in the fleet

VH-TJI
VH-TJR
VH-TJS
VH-TJX

 

[Melburnian1]

VH-TJI had its 23rd birthday a month and a half ago. That's reasonably old for a mainline aircraft in RPT use in a 'developed' country.

 

[mannej]

VH-TJI had its 23rd birthday a month and a half ago. That's reasonably old for a mainline aircraft in RPT use in a 'developed' country.

How about you check the ages of the aircraft used by the US carriers...

I think you may be surprised.

 

[Melburnian1]

True, mannej, the USA is an extremely busy and large domestic (and international) aviation market and one where some operators (United is one) have many elderly aircraft.

However this topic is about QF, not UA. All I said was that the 733 above was 'reasonably old' which is not the same as suggesting 'super elderly.' It's all a bit subjective, since what to you and me at 23 years old is a 'reasonably old' plane may be (in the US or parts of Africa) quite 'par for the course' and if well maintained (as doubtless the QF examples are) able to fly for some years yet (although other issues such as relatively high fuel consumption, difficult to source spare parts and a desire to have a more modern fleet may mean that this does not always occur).

 

[markis10]

True, mannej, the USA is an extremely busy and large domestic (and international) aviation market and one where some operators (United is one) have many elderly aircraft.

However this topic is about QF, not UA. All I said was that the 733 above was 'reasonably old' which is not the same as suggesting 'super elderly.' It's all a bit subjective, since what to you and me at 23 years old is a 'reasonably old' plane may be (in the US or parts of Africa) quite 'par for the course' and if well maintained (as doubtless the QF examples are) able to fly for some years yet (although other issues such as relatively high fuel consumption, difficult to source spare parts and a desire to have a more modern fleet may mean that this does not always occur).

Point 1, we are talking about a 734.

Point 2, BA's 737 classic fleet has an older average age than QF, and they have a lot more of them as a developed country.

If you want to worry about age, check out Rex, Skytrans and Alliance aircraft .

Some of the QF 733s are still with us flying non self loading freight, unlike other airlines age is not too much of a concern of its been looked after by QF engineers, creature comforts aside like IFE.

 

[mannej]

You mentioned developed countries, so that is open to comment.

 

[anat0l]

You mentioned developed countries, so that is open to comment.

I'm glad he didn't go on to mention developing* countries with substantially younger fleets!

* this classification could get messy for debate

 

[NM]

VH-TJI had its 23rd birthday a month and a half ago. That's reasonably old for a mainline aircraft in RPT use in a 'developed' country.

And that just goes to show how well QF have looked after their aircraft over the years. And why ex-QF aircraft are generally well respected on the second-hand market. Great job done by QF engineering dept .

 

[serfty]

Today while taxiing out of SYD, the white roo being painted red ...

bye bye ZXG:





Appropriately taken from ZXE ...

 

[ReLoad]

Today while taxiing out of SYD, the white roo being painted red ...

bye bye ZXG:

View attachment 20338

View attachment 20339

Another dwarf bites the dust.

Mixed feelings seeing It go :/

 

[maninblack]

And you can see many of the retirements and deliveries making their respective ways at this link, HNL RareBirds: Qantas Airways

 

[mannej]

That would mean only one ZX left?

 

[anat0l]

So... how many 767s left now?