[Note: While the excitement is building for the most significant (SIM) event to unfold in just a week or so, (especially for us (patient) old-timers...with > (15-20) years of exposure to FS...and, as the years add, the waiting game is getting, a bit, harder to take...🙂..., of course, also, hoping, here, for lots of "fresh-minds", to join in, to bring in (some) un-biassed thinking to this great hobby, and possibly teach us a few new things...per the old-dogs-new-tricks maxim...🙂...we'll see...meanwhile, personally speaking, the "Home" department has been pre-alerted (in a very subtle way)...🙂...oh well...for the "love" of aviation, as we say/justify around here...), this post was triggered by thoughts during one of my earlier (Qantas) posts, and is bit of an in-depth (pictorial) analysis by this amateur enthusiast (the exercise was, as always, pleasingly self-educative, too)...! So, here we go, hope you enjoy this post...or, at least, I believe, you'll enjoy the (curious) ensemble of the SIM images, below,...!]

Qantas is a fascinating airline, indeed...! First of all, any Airline, that's nearly a century old, and has been (continuously) operating, must be doing something right, so, it deserves our attention and admiration.

Here are the (generally recognised) world's three oldest (still) operating airlines.

1. KLM (1919, October 7)
2. Avianca (1919, December 5) [Side Note: Has (recently) filed for bankruptcy protection in the US court.]
3. Qantas (1920, November 16)

Notice, the first two were founded within a couple of months of each other, and the 3rd (Qantas) was founded within a year of the other two. As far as I can tell, these three placements are unanimous. Then, let me also put a few other "old" ones, together, in a 4th group without getting into their specifics (Aeroflot, Czech Airlines, Finnair, Delta, BA etc.). [Side Note: Many historic airlines had started as mail-delivery or crop-dusting or humanitarian-bush-flying or similar such (humble) activities, and often, originated (whole or part) by another name, so, their exact source could be subject to some ambiguity...! While that may be of (academic) interest to the purists, for the purpose of this post, we can assume that Qantas' position as the 3rd oldest is pretty solid...! The acronym (QANTAS) comes from the first letters of the words "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". We often also see a reference to the word "Longreach" imprinted on Qantas' long-haul (aka: long-reaching) jetliners. That's because, founded in Winston (Queensland/Qld), Qantas moved first to "Longreach" (Qld) in 1921, then later to Brisbane (Qld) in 1930, and is currently headquartered in the Sydney suburb (adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport). When we think of Qantas's modern fleet comprising of A380s and B787s etc. (see images), it's probably not out-of-place to recall that its very first aircraft was an (all-wooden) Avro 504K (WWI) biplane (if interested, search for "qantas avro 504 images"). And, Qantas' (now famous) kangaroo logo was first used on the "Kangaroo Route", begun in late 30's and continuing into the 40's (past WWII), on the (Sydney-Karachi-London) route, where Qantas crews did the first multi-hop (to Karachi), and the BOAC crews took over for the rest of the journey to the UK. The route by definition found its name following the unique mode of travel of the kangaroo, i.e. the long distance was achieved via (numerous) hops.

An all-Qantas crew flew the Kangaroo Route, for the first time, on 1 December 1947. A Lockheed Constellation carried 29 passengers and 11 crew from Sydney to London with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, and Tripoli (passengers stayed overnight in Singapore and Cairo). A return fare was £585 (equivalent to $40,100 in 2018). In my earlier post, I'd made a reference to the "modern-day" (VH-OJA) 747-400 "City of Canberra"'s non-stop (London-Sydney) flight, in 1989. That feat of (David Massy-Greene and crew) would remain un-broken for three decades, and the next non-stop flight to connect these two cities would have to wait till, just last year, 2019...! 30 years after (VH-OJA)'s (historic) flight, on November 15, 2019, an (experimental) Boeing 787 flight (QF7879), after 19 hours and 19 minutes in the air, direct from London, touched down in Sydney. The 52 people on board, including the Qantas CEO, were treated, for the first time, to "two" (on-board) sunrises ("one over each wing") as the plane tracked the (immense) distance across the globe....(west to east/south-east)...!

Back to our Kangaroo (Logo):

With the addition of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners to their fleet, Qantas Airlines has (recently) introduced an updated logo and livery to match. You may recall the older "bulky" (QANTAS) font (see images below)...I liked it fine, though, but that's irrelevant,...🙂....Anyway, now, a "slimmer" font is used for the word ‘Qantas’ (see images; novice painters, please beware,...🙂...). The new typeface is supposed to be "nicely spaced" with "a clean and modern style". The new flying-kangaroo mark, in this logo, however, has been edited most significantly (to the (possible) distaste of the diehards...?) – now appearing lot more streamlined (better sense of movement...?), with the (conspicuous) removal of the marsupial’s front arms (i.e. no paws and no pointy ears). Some of the diehards, among us, would, surely, stand by the last version of Qantas logo being the nicest (Isn't that often the case e.g. one of my favorite Airlines, LH's livery transformation, from a few years ago, comes to mind...), but, you may also recall the (classic) Qantas kangaroo with wings. If you missed that (iconic) ‘winged-kangaroo’, it will be now re-introduced by placing it under the cockpit window of the 787.

Regarding the "kangaroo with wings" (see images below), myself, being, non-local to Australia, I'd to really look up the web, a bit, about Kangaroos, in intelligent places, such as,. "Fun Kangaroo Facts for Kids"...🙂..., and, my conclusion is that they cannot fly....so, first, I was told, there, quite sternly, "No, don’t be ridiculous", but, then, the kangaroos are expert jumpers, sometimes jumping three times their own height, and if one watches videos of these Marsupials glide effortlessly (and swiftly) across the landscape, one might just think that with just a little more effort they could probably fly (or can, at least, keep pace with an overflying Piper Cub)...! Anyway, the earlier Qantas kangaroo (logo) had an outlined-wing on it (black or white or red colored outlined wing - see images). In 1947, the winged kangaroo symbol was created for the introduction of Qantas' Lockheed L749 Constellations (see two images of L749). They were the first Qantas aircraft to carry the Flying Kangaroo and also the first to operate right through to London with Qantas crews alone (see note above for (shared) Kangaroo Route with BOAC crew).

The (most recent) change (for the Boeing 787 Dreamliners entering service) is only the fifth time the red-and-white image on the tail of Qantas aircraft has been updated since it was first introduced in 1944. “Since the image of a kangaroo first appeared on a Qantas aircraft more than 80 years ago, it’s come to represent the spirit of Australia. When passengers see the Qantas tail at airports around the world, it’s a symbol of home...When we looked at the history, we found that the logo has been updated around the time of a game-changing new aircraft joining the fleet. It’s a tradition that goes back to the Lockheed Constellation in 1947, the B747-300 in 1984 and the A380 in 2007,...", so, now the B787-9 in 2018/2019. [Side Note: The history-making (non-stop) 787 (Perth-London) flight QF9 (2018 Mar), was the first ever "scheduled" service between (Australia-UK)...please recall that the (non-stop) (London-Sydney) QF7879 (2019 Nov) was "promotional", and we, also, duly, note that Perth, being located on the western (opposite) edge (compared to Sydney), is closer to UK by about 2000km...(15,000km vs. 17,000km) - making a bit easier for such an (ultra-long) non-stop flight...]

In summary, as it's said, "The iconic Qantas kangaroo logo represents Qantas' proud history and is a symbol of aviation innovation around the world,...". "It's also become a symbol of home to Australians, inspiring feelings of comfort and connections to loved ones."...True enough...(nothing like being in a distant (INTL) airport on the other side of the world...and catching sight of a home-grown (for me e.g. a United) airline's color sauntering by, especially if one did not happen to travel on one...)...

All pictures, below, are taken at YBBN (Brisbane) Airport...all on ground, except for the 744, and my two favorite Qantas images (last two), of the "Hotrod" B707-138B (VH-EBM)...(if you wish, you may refer back to my post for the story of Travolta's (VH-EBM)). Also, for those who are interested, it's to be noted that, in spite of the Pandemic, HARS remains determined to fly this (VH-EBM) 707 to the Albion Park, as soon as possible, to be displayed next to the (VH-OJA) 747...Wouldn't it be wonderful to catch these two old-mates together side-by-side...?? Anyway, hope you enjoy these, below, pictures (listed in random order - a few variants repeated B2B), and, if you may, please focus, a bit, on the word "QANTAS" regarding its variations (color/font), and especially on those tails, to see the evolution of the (likeable) "flying kangaroo" through the time...over 80 years...(1940s to 2020s)...! All repaints are RW, to my knowledge, except for one, the mjc8Q400, which (fictitious) livery, btw, (actually) appeared on Qantas' 70's (707s/747s), and also matches the RW retro-painted Ochre repaint on the (shown) 737-800 (VH-XZP) - the Ochre strip, looks quite distinctive, I think....

Thanks for your interest...! Comments and thoughts are welcome...!! Good weekend...!

[Various(FW Heroes and PW planes (iFly, mjc8, LVLD, PMDG, CS, QW, AS...etc.)...thanks to all those...!!), Orbx(AU/YBBN), REX]

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by P_7878

Awesome!  Nice story too

Fantastic pics and interesting story, P_7878 !

Ryan, Bernd:

Appreciated the kind words....(glad you liked the pics and the story, too)...!!

 

Folks:

I'm wrapping up the notes, here, with bits of additional (and some interesting) details about a few of the aircraft, I've shown, in this post.

Good reading and good rest of Sunday...!!

 

[BTW, the Aussie Plane Registration database is a store-house of information about Australian aircraft. You may e.g. just search for "AB-XYZ Aussie" for any Qantas Registered aircraft.]

1. (Image #3) The VH-EBI B707-138 was the 9th 707 (and also the 9th Boeing) for Qantas. On its delivery flight, Aug 16, 1961, (Seattle - San Francisco - Honolulu - Nadi - Sydney), it, too, established a record (13hrs 44 mins) for that route. Don't know why, but, it is becoming more and more clear, to my mind,...🙂..., that Qantas, because of their (unique) geographic base, have a long track record for establishing record-breaking "delivery" flights...! This aircraft was named "Winton" after the founding city of Qantas (aircraft naming typically done after arrival at Sydney). The same VH-EBI Registration would be later used (quite normal for Qantas) for other aircraft - a B747-200 and also an Airbus A330-200.
2. (Image #4/5/6/10) In 2015, Qantas revived, the livery 'Retro Roo II' (that adorned its Boeing 707s between 1959 and 1961) on a 737-800. You can also see below a (2nd) 737-800 wearing another vintage Qantas (Ochre) color. In 2014, the airline had revealed this retro 'winged kangaroo' scheme on 737 (VH-XZP), which aircraft was named 'James Strong'. Also see the same livery on the Q400 (fictitious, but looks nice, though)...
3. (Image #8) The Lockheed L-188 (VH-ECA) Electra was one of the four ELECTRAs operated by Qantas. This Tail logo is probably the most interesting: The Winged Kangaroo's feet is into...🙂...the Red Band containing the white-lettered "QANTAS".
4. (Image #9) The VH-EBP (Piston Roos) Douglas DC-4 (Australian Trader - Cargo) has a bit to tell...You may notice its (normal) passenger windows covered in mesh to protect them from shifting cargo. It was surely used as "Combi". In fact, there is a fascinating Child's account of travel on this plane (see Aussie database). Also, notice the tail, with the two Red Stripes and the Registration number within, and the prominent flag nearby (no Kangaroo logo on this one). Unfortunately, this plane was, eventually, destroyed on November 10 1969, at Port Harcourt, Nigeria, during the Nigerian Civil War (bombing attacks involved).
5. (Image #11/12) The L749 Qantas Constellations were quite remarkable. This (VH-EAF) Registration was first used on a Qantas C-47 Dakota (transferred from the U.S. Air Force to the RAAF). This C-47 is now preserved at HARS (list is building up for a visit to HARS...🙂...one day...). Anyway, the L749 (VH-EAF) was originally built as an L649 for TWA. but the order was cancelled, and then completed as a L749, and delivered to Air India (in 1948). It came to Qantas in 1951, and was named "Horace Brinsmead". The gentleman, Horace Brinsmead, honored to be named on a Qantas Constellation, has a short Wiki page, but quite "riveting" in terms of (his) luck and survival. And, this L749, btw, was not the one, that did the very first Kangaroo Route, in 1947. This VH-EAF was later sold to B.O.A.C and operated the very first B.O.A.C. revenue service for (London - Sydney) on October 01, 1954. BTW, those long-hauls must have been a world apart, especially from the crews perspective, compared to today's reliable jet engine-based flights...(the Constellation’s Wright Cyclones were quite notorious and averaged two to three failures per year), but, (those pistons) paved the way, nonetheless,...for the better things to come...
6. (Image #13) The Qantas B747-338 (VH-EBY) had arrived at Sydney in 1987. It operated its last revenue service (Melbourne - Auckland - Los Angeles) on December 29, 2008. That was also the very last B747-300 (Classic) based "scheduled" revenue-service by Qantas (before transition to the iconic 744s). The aircraft then went on to serve with JAL Airlines.
7. (Image #16) The B767-338 (VH-OGQ) was delivered new to Qantas in 1996. It's notable that, over the years, Qantas has had 41 Boeing 767s in its fleet. And, I read, today, that, together, these (Qantas) 767s have flown more than 1.8bn kms – the equivalent of 2438 return trips to the moon - quite amazing, when it's put this way. This aircraft continues to be active, today, and serves with the SF (Cargo) Airlines of China.

40 minutes ago, P_7878 said:

Good reading and good rest of Sunday...!!

YOU deserve another big Kangaroo 

 

7 hours ago, polosim said:

YOU deserve another big Kangaroo

Thanks....(getting to know the Kangaroo a bit...)...!!

Saw that Kangaroo track, for the first time, on July 22, over the coastal sea waters,...nice job by plane/crew...CDU...etc.....must have been quite an (extended) "SID" procedure for the (not so slim) VH-OEJ...🙂....!

Also, good to notice, the "paws" and the "pointy-ears"....in-tact there...🙂....!

***Excellent Expose***