Qantas Founders Museum

[Stazza_Brendan]

Just remembered another thing that happened when we were in Longreach.
Me and Dad had just got our hotel room and were driving around when got pulled over at RBT setup.
Female cop asks general "So what are you up to, local or tourist?"
We say we just got to Longreach and just looking around at what to do.
She asks "So where you guys from?"
Dad "Mackay"
Cop "Sorry"
Dad a bit louder "We are from Mackay"
Cop "I heard you first time, just saying sorry"
We all laughed. Havnt met a cop with a sense of humor before.

[2011G6E]

The story of that jumbo landing was epic...stripping it out to make it lighter, only putting enough fuel in to give it two goes at landing and maybe on to Townsville to land again, and shutting down the outside two engines for landing so they "didn't suck up dirt and rocks and bushes and lizards" as it landed on the narrow short strip.
It was also a "one way trip" as it couldn't take off again once it was down.

The crew was made up of all volunteers, and when they asked for people to put their hand up for the dangerous trip, every single pilot put their hand up as they wanted to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[irdonn]

2011G6E... just noticed 'on the footplate'. Are you an engine driver?

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by PANUP

2011G6E... just noticed 'on the footplate'. Are you an engine driver?

Yep...I drive the 1.7km long coal trains out here. Great job, tons of fun.

Here's another photo I found...you take your fun where you get it when you live in the middle of nowhere I suppose...
This creek (...erm...dry dirt depression really...) is between Barcaldine and Longreach.

[TS50]

I have been saying for a few years now i was going to do this, i best get off my ***
I have prommised my sister in Townsville to visit her this year, so i will do both at once

[DRU842]

I'd like to endorse all that's positive about Longreach. It's fantastic the way the 747 tail comes into view, miles out of town.
Can't recommend Ilfracombe enough. We stayed at the local caravan park, a fantastic family run affair with the owners doing bush poetry or a show most nights. As well as the machinery mentioned the caravan park has the keys to the hot bore fed local pool which is a great way to wind down the day.

[Fev]

Better get in quick! The 747 is sinking!!

http://www.travelmonitor.com.au/news...um-hiccup.html

The Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, Queensland has had to suspend one of its tours because the museum’s showpiece Qantas 747 is sinking. Constant rain in recent months has led to a subsidence and the nose wheel of the jumbo jet has dropped about 20 centimetres.
Museum spokesman Rodney Seccombe told the ABC that action has been taken to stabilise the plane, but it could be some weeks before it is certified for insurance.
"I’m not so worried about someone being squashed underneath, as somebody falling inside if the plane moves," he said.
"We are very conscious of our safety for visitors and so on, so we have had to stop the tours because we can’t get that frame that is underneath there certified at the moment."
Mr Seccombe says it could take up to two months to finalise the issue.