'City Of Canberra' Tangible Piece Of Aussie Aviation History

Qantas chairwoman Margaret Jackson welcomed home the first Boeing 707 (file photo of type below) put in service by the airline nearly 50 years ago. Named "City of Canberra," the 47-year-old jet represents many "firsts" for the Australian airline.

Addressing a group of 300 guests in a Qantas hangar Ms Jackson said, "This Boeing 707 was the first jet aircraft in the Qantas fleet, the first jet to arrive in Australia, the first Boeing jet aircraft sold outside the United States and the first jet to fly around the world. It is a tangible piece of our country's incredible aviation history."

The City of Canberra first arrived in Australia in 1959. The airline used it to transport Australian army troops to and from Vietnam from 1965 to 72.

The airline retired the jet in the early 1970s when the Boeing 747 came on line. It was pulled from the mothballs and restored by a team of current and retired Qantas engineers in London over the past four years.

The venerable Boeing 707 uhsered in the so-called "jet age" bringing intercontinental travel to the masses. Due mainly to the airline pioneers flying Boeing's 707 in the late 1950s and 60s most people today consider flights across vast expanses of empty ocean a safe, viable method of travel.

Ms Jackson also had praise for the engineers who spent so much time restoring the aircraft.

"I want to thank and congratulate all those who have given their time and their talent to this fantastic endeavour," Ms Jackson said. "You have given a great gift to Australia, and to aviation history."

The aircraft is destined for a spot at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in western Queensland.

FMI: www.qantas.com, www.qfom.com.au