WWI aeroplane propellor as oversize luggage on Qantas from London to Brisbane

[jkg68]

Hi All,

I've been an avid reader here for several years, but this is my first post so please go easy on me.

I am a Qantas Platinum flying on Qantas from London to Brisbane (via Singapore) in November, and plan to bring an antique wooden aeroplane propellor with me as oversize luggage (which will save a fortune in shipping).

The Qantas baggage information page online shows that sporting goods up to 277cm long can be transported as oversize luggage (within weight allowance limits), and my propellor (including packaging) is 256cm long x 42cm wide x 35cm high, and weighs 27kg. (To all intents and purposes, these are about the same dimensions as a windsurfer, which the baggage page mentions).

From what I can see online the propellor will be fine as oversize luggage but I can't get a verbal confirmation when speaking to anyone in the Qantas call centres, and I am worried that I will get a "computer says no" response on the day when I get to check-in at Heathrow.

I have printed-out the webpage which shows that I would be within the size and weight limits, but am worried about a potential issue with a check-in person on the day.

I'd be grateful if anyone who has prior experience with items this large out of Heathrow can share any tips, insights, or Qantas contacts who can overcome my fear that my propellor will be turned away at check-in and I will be stuck at the last minute with no options to get it home.

Cheers,

Jason

PS: If anyone is interested, the propellor is from a First World War RAF SE5a fighter.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Being timber it will be of interest to AU bio security on arrival.
If within the oversize luggage dimensional and weight allowance limits cannot see a problem
All sorts of items get transported as oversize luggage.

 

[Seat0B]

Nothing helpful I can add, but wow, you win the thread title!

 

[offshore171]

Hook it up to a Sopwith Camel and fly it home!

 

[jb747]

Perhaps it should go into the flight spares box.

 

[trooper]

Lucky its not the later 4 bladed one!!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Just wrap it up and call it a self rotating paraglider?

Should be no problems. But do declare the wood.

 

[Happy Trails]

OT, but I'm reminded of this scene from the movie 'Blow Up'.
Skip to the 2 minute mark.

 

[henrus]

A random thought but an option could be to reach out to Qantas via social media to confirm, who knows, if you allow they might take interest and do some small PR thing on social media relating to the strange baggage.

 

[Quickstatus]

Airlines won't pre-guarantee carriage of checkin items such as this.

You will have to present it at airport. If it's within the general restrictions for checkin, it should be Ok.

 

[UP4014]

Make sure you have it insured. Yes declare but being ‘processed’ timber you won’t have a problem.

 

[offshore171]

Maybe put it in a ski-bag or surfboard cover, so it looks more like something they are familiar with.

Just in case you are faced with some jobsworth at the airport who cannot deal with anything out of the ordinary.

 

[kookaburra75]

PS: If anyone is interested, the propellor is from a First World War RAF SE5a fighter.

I hope you didn't lift it from the Shuttleworth collection...

 

[jkg68]

Being timber it will be of interest to AU bio security on arrival.
If within the oversize luggage dimensional and weight allowance limits cannot see a problem
All sorts of items get transported as oversize luggage.

Thanks Mwenzi. I've brought in a few props over the years and never had a problem on arrival (touch wood!)

Post automatically merged: Sep 28, 2023

I hope you didn't lift it from the Shuttleworth collection...

Unfortunately all their gear is secured too well...

 

[jkg68]

OT, but I'm reminded of this scene from the movie 'Blow Up'.
Skip to the 2 minute mark.

Thanks for the movie reference and well done on finding it. I've seen a still of the prop in the convertible but didn't know the movie it came from. A fleeting glimpse of the decals on the prop as they carry it out of the shop indicates it might be manufactured by Integral, a British subsidiary of a French company that pioneered propellor design. I nearly had a fit when I saw it dropped at 2 mins 32 secs. And then there's the sale price of just 8 pounds...

 

[kookaburra75]

Unfortunately all their gear is secured too well...

I get that. When I was there most recently, I asked if I could take the Sopwith Pup for a a spin. However, my request was politely declined, as was my request to try out the Kirby Kite.