Then to the B707. In some ways this is the piece de resistance of the museum.
Pinching information from Wikipedia:
The Boeing 707-138B is the airline's first jet, a Boeing 707 short body, originally VH-EBA. The 707 was the first of its type and specifically manufactured for Qantas.
The Boeing 707-138B was restored at Southend Airport in England in mid-2006 and returned to Australia in December 2006 after 47 years since its original transfer from Boeing to the Qantas fleet. During its return the 707's flight path saw it eventually landing in Sydney, however it took a flight path of over a 31500 km and an eight-day journey from Southend Airport via Ireland, the Canary Islands, Bermuda, the United States and Fiji, to get to Sydney in 2006. It was then transported to Longreach in June 2007. The Australian government provided $1 million as a contribution to the cost of the aircraft's restoration.
The 707 held at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum was the first jet aircraft of any type owned by Qantas. The aircraft is known under the registration VH-EBA and the plane name ‘City of Canberra.’ The restoration of VH-EBA lasted 15,000 hours. The 707 VH-EBA was the first in its fleet and is a sister plane to the last 707 that was ordered by Qantas known previously under the registration ‘VH-EBM’, and the plane name 'City of Launceston' that was owned and piloted by Qantas Ambassador John Travolta.
What that entry misses that is relevant to the pics that follow is that VH-EBA, after being relinquished by Qantas, was refurbished as a luxury private jet, eventually ending up as a Saudi Arabian prince’s chariot. The refurbishment back to flying condition kept this luxury (by c. 1980s standards) fit out.
The other aspect is that the eagle-eyed will notice that the rego on the tail is VH-XBA. This change had to be made because another current aircraft in the Qantas fleet at the time of it being flown back to Australia was registered as VH-EBA.
Gold taps have been painted over. And another wing walk.