| DATE |
EVENT |
AIRCRAFT REGN |
| 09JUN28 |
The
Most Significant Arrival of All |
1985 |
| Fokker F.VIIb/3m
"Southern Cross" bearing the U.S. registration 1985, arrived at Eagle Farm
at 1015 on completion of the first trans-Pacific flight. The aeroplane had
taken 21 hours 21 minutes to fly from Suva, Fiji to Brisbane. Crewed by
Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm, James Warner and Harry Lyon. The "Southern
Cross" has been on display at Brisbane Airport since 1958 as a memorial
to Smithy - the greatest of them all! |
| 29MAY30 |
Amy
Johnson Arrived at Eagle Farm |
G-AAAH |
| Amy Johnson,
the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Australia, arrived at Eagle Farm
in her DH-60G Gipsy Moth G-AAAH "Jason". On landing, the aeroplane overturned
and was badly damaged. It was subsequently repaired and flown to Melbourne
from where it was shipped back to England where it is today on display at
the Science Museum. |
| 21DEC37 |
Imperial
Airways Flying Boat Alighted on the Brisbane River |
G-ADUT |
| Imperial
Airways Short C Class flying boat G-ADUT RMA "Centaurus" was the first flying
boat to alight on the Brisbane River (and the largest aircraft to visit
Brisbane at the time). The aircraft arrived from Townsville and Gladstone
and alighted to the north on the Bulimba Reach (between the Bulimba Ferry
and Breakfast Creek) at approximately 1330. The flying boat turned near
the Newstead Wharves (near the mouth of Breakfast Creek) and taxied upstream
on its outboard engines to be moored off the Domain, today the site of the
Queensland University of Technology. The aircraft, which was commanded by
Capt J.W. Burgess (a New Zealander), was surveying the route from England
to New Zealand. It was moored off the Domain until early in the morning
of 24DEC37 when it taxied downstream to take-off for Sydney. In addition
to Captain Burgess, the aircraft was crewed by First Officer C.F. Elder,
Senior Wireless Operator A. Lowe, Wireless Operator H. Dangerfield and Flight
Steward H.J. Bingham. Captain Lester Brain, Flight Superintendent of Qantas
Empire Airways, joined the aircraft at Singapore and completed the landing
at Brisbane. Previously, this entry had erroneously recorded that the aircraft
had alighted on the Pinkenba Reach. The entry has been corrected and updated
(on 30SEP04) thanks to John Wilson and to Robert Blaikie who reviewed contemporary
press reports. |
| 02APR38 |
First
Qantas Flying Boat Landed at Brisbane. |
VH-ABB |
| Qantas Short
C Class VH-ABB "Coolangatta", commanded by Capt G.U. Allan, alighted on
the Pinkenba Reach of the Brisbane River on its delivery flight from the
U.K. |
| 05JUL38 |
First
Qantas Flying Boat Service to the U.K. |
VH-ABF |
| Qantas Short
C Class VH-ABF "Cooee", arrived from Sydney en route to the U.K. |
| 11DEC41 |
Drawings
Finalised for a Relief Landing Ground at Eagle Farm |
- |
| Within days
of the attack on Pearl Harbour, plans were in place to develop Eagle Farm
as a Relief Landing Ground for the Archerfield based 2 EFTS (Elementary
Flying Training School). During the Second World War, Eagle Farm became
a very important and busy USAAF base. Eagle Farm hosted the Allied Technical
Air Intelligence Unit (ATAIU) which was responsible for testing captured
Japanese aircraft. |
| 12JUL47 |
Barrier
Reef Airways Commenced Operations from the Hamilton Reach. |
VH-BRA |
| Barrier Reef
Airways operated the first regular scheduled service to Gladstone and Heron
Island using Catalina VH-BRA "The Beachcomber" commanded by Capt S. Middlemiss. |
| 08DEC47 |
Barrier
Reef Airways Commenced Services to Daydream Island. |
VH-BRA |
| Barrier Reef
Airways began a scheduled service from Brisbane to Daydream Island with
Catalina VH-BRA. |
| 08JUN48 |
BOAC
Short Hythe Flying Boat Diverted to Brisbane. |
G-AGJK |
| The BOAC
Short Hythe Class flying boat G-AGJK "Howard" was en route Bowen to Sydney
when it diverted to Brisbane owing to bad weather at Rose Bay. The aircraft
resumed its flight the following day. (The Hythe Class was a civilianised
Sunderland). |
| 18OCT48 |
TAA
Introduced Convair 240 |
VH-TAQ |
TAA introduced
the pressurised Convair 240 on a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane. 
|
| 01APR49 |
Thiess
Brothers Beech 18 Based at Eagle Farm |
VH-BJJ |
| Thiess Brothers
Beech 18 VH-BJJ "Progress II" was based at Eagle Farm where it was maintained
and crewed by Australian National Airways. The aeroplane featured prominently
in the development of Queensland's natural resources as one of Australia's
earliest corporate aircraft. The wreckage of this aeroplane now resides
at the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra.
|
| 07APR50 |
Barrier
Reef Airways' First Sandringham Arrived in Brisbane. |
ZK-AMH |
| Barrier Reef
Airways purchased two Sandringham flying boats from Tasman Empire Airways
Limited (TEAL) and the first of these was delivered to Brisbane on this
date. The aircraft was subsequently registered VH-BRC and named "Coral Clipper". |
| 27APR50 |
Barrier
Reef Airways' Second Sandringham Flying Boat Arrived in Brisbane. |
ZK-AME |
| Barrier Reef
Airways' second Sandringham, also purchased from TEAL, arrived in Brisbane.
The aircraft was subsequently registered VH-BRD and named "Capricorn". The
other noteworthy arrival was the author, who was born in Brisbane on this
date! |
| 02JUL50 |
Barrier
Reef Airways Inaugurated a Brisbane to Hayman Island Service. |
VH-BRC |
| Sandringham
VH-BRC "Coral Clipper" operated the inaugural service to Hayman Island. |
| 23OCT50 |
First
TAA Convair 240 "Rocket Service" Melbourne/Brisbane. |
VH-TAQ |
| TAA operated
its first Convair 240 "Rocket Service" from Melbourne to Brisbane with VH-TAQ
"John Forrest". |
| 29OCT50 |
Trans
Oceanic Airways Commenced Operations from Sydney to Port Moresby via Brisbane
and Townsville. |
VH-BKQ |
| Trans Oceanic
Short Hythe VH-BKQ "Pacific Star" operated the first service under the command
of Capt P.H. Mathieson. |
| 04APR51 |
Trans
Oceanic Airways' Second Solent Arrived in Brisbane. |
G-AKNP |
| Trans Oceanic's
second Short Solent III flying boat arrived in Brisbane on delivery from
the U.K. (the first was written off on its delivery flight). Named "City
of Cardiff" in BOAC service, the aeroplane was subsequently registered VH-TOB
and named "Star of Papua". |
| 27MAY51 |
Trans
Oceanic Inaugurated "Chieftain" Services to Port Moresby. |
VH-TOB |
| Trans Oceanic
Solent VH-TOB "Star of Papua" operated the inaugural "Chieftain Service"
from Sydney to Port Moresby via Brisbane. |
| 19JUN51 |
Trans
Oceanic Solent Collided with a Ship in the Brisbane River. |
VH-TOB |
| Solent VH-TOB
under the command of Capt P.G. Taylor (later Sir Gordon) collided with the
fruit boat "Florant" while taxying for take-off for Sydney. Although badly
damaged, the aircraft was repaired and returned to service. |
| 01JUL51 |
Barrier
Reef Airways Commenced Operations Brisbane to Sydney. |
VH-BRB |
| Catalina
VH-BRB "The Buccaneer" operated the first B.R.A. service to Sydney. |
| 28OCT51 |
Trans
Oceanic Solent Collided with a Ship in the Brisbane River. |
VH-TOC |
| Solent VH-TOC
"Star of Hobart" was taking off from the Brisbane River when its starboard
wing struck the unlit dredge "Platypus II" severing the wing seven metres
from the tip. The aircraft was successfully landed and beached, although
it never returned to service owing to the difficulty in obtaining a replacement
wing. The aeroplane was later scrapped. |
| 11JUL52 |
Ansett
Airways Sandringham was Struck by a Ship in the Brisbane River. |
VH-BRD |
| The Ansett
Airways Sandringham VH-BRD, now renamed "Princess of Cairns", was struck
by a lighter under tow and damaged. The aircraft was later repaired and
returned to service. By this time, Barrier Reef Airways had been taken over
by Ansett. |
| 23JUL52 |
Ansett
Catalina Operated Proving Flight from Brisbane to Southport. |
VH-BRB |
| The Ansett
Flying Boat Services Catalina VH-BRB departed for the Broadwater at Southport
for trials prior to commencing a regular service from Brisbane to Sydney
via Southport and Grafton. The service commenced on 25JUL52. |
| 31OCT52 |
Ansett
Sandringham Struck by a Ship in the Brisbane River. |
VH-BRD |
| The Ansett
Sandringham VH-BRD was struck by an unidentified vessel during the night
and sank at its moorings. Although it was subsequently refloated, it was
declared a write-off. Several years later, the hulk of VH-BRD was acquired
for conversion to a restaurant but while under tow to the Gold Coast the
aircraft sank and was lost. |
| 28NOV52 |
Hamilton
Reach Closed to all Aircraft Except Catalinas. |
- |
| With the
closure of the Hamilton Reach to all aircraft except Catalinas, Sandringham
operations took place from the Quarries Reach (between Colmslie and Doboy
Creek). |
| 01JUN53 |
Redland
Bay Flying Boat Base Used for the First Time |
VH-EBV |
| Qantas Sandringham
VH-EBV "Pacific Warrior" arrived from Sydney to conduct trial night landings
at the new base. The aircraft later returned to Rose Bay. |
| 03JUN53 |
Redland
Bay Flying Boat Base Opened |
VH-BRC |
| Ansett Sandringham
VH-BRC was the first aircraft carrying passengers to alight at the new base.
The same aeroplane had earlier made the last departure from the Hamilton
Reach bound for Sydney. Later that afternoon, VH-BRC returned from Sydney
to make the first arrival at Redland Bay. |
| 06JUN53 |
The
First Qantas Passenger Service to Use Redland Bay |
VH-EBV |
| Qantas Sandringham
arrived from Port Moresby and departed for Sydney. |
| 16JUN53 |
First
Qantas Sandringham SYD/BNE/CNS/POM |
VH-EBZ |
| The first
flight of the new Qantas Sandringham schedule to Papua New Guinea departed
from Redland Bay. Sandringham VH-EBZ "Pacific Explorer" arrived from SYD
at 2230 on 15JUN and departed for POM at 0036 on 16JUN. Sandringham services
to PNG ceased in JAN55. |
| 04OCT54 |
First
Ansett Airways Convair 340 |
VH-BZD |
| Ansett's
first Convair 340 service operated by VH-BZD arrived from Melbourne and
Sydney. |
| 15NOV54 |
DC-4
Belly Landing |
VH-ANF |
| Douglas DC-4
VH-ANF "Loongana" of Australian National Airways was inadvertently landed
wheels up at Eagle Farm. There were no injuries and the aircraft was repaired
and returned to service. |
| 21JUN55 |
Last
Qantas Sandringham Service from Brisbane. |
VH-EBY |
Qantas Sandringham
VH-EBY "Pacific Voyager" arrived from Port Moresby at 1600 and departed
for Sydney at 1710.
NOTE: This event was previously attributed to VH-EBV on 02JUN55. |
| 09NOV56 |
Beech
18 Suffered Undercarriage Collapse |
ZK-BQE |
| Beech 18
ZK-BQE "Spirit of North Otago" was taking off from Eagle Farm on delivery
to Trans-Island Airways in New Zealand when the undercarriage collapsed.
The aircraft was repaired and resumed its delivery flight in April 1957.
|
| 01APR58 |
Viscount
Ran off Runway and Struck Machinery |
VH-TVJ |
| TAA Viscount
VH-TVJ "Ernest Giles" ran off the runway and collided with machinery. The
aircraft was repaired and returned to service although it was subsequently
scrapped at Eagle Farm in May 1970. The nose section of VH-TVJ resides at
the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra.
|
| 03APR58 |
First
Super Constellation Service to London |
VH-EAB |
| Qantas Lockheed
Super Constellation VH-EAB "Southern Horizon" operated the first Qantas
Super Constellation service to LHR.
|
| 17AUG58 |
Fokker
F.VIIb/3m Memorial Unveiled |
1985 |
| The
memorial building housing the "Southern Cross" was officially
opened. |
| 29OCT59 |
First
Qantas Boeing 707 Service to London |
VH-EBG |
| Qantas Boeing
707-138 VH-EBG "City of Hobart" operated the first Qantas Boeing 707 service
to LHR. |
| 14MAR60 |
First
QAL F-27 Service |
VH-FNE |
| Queensland
Airlines operated its first Fokker F-27 service Brisbane/Maryborough/Bundaberg/Gladstone/Rockhampton
using VH-FNE "Sir Henry Abel Smith". Prior to departure from Brisbane, the
aeroplane was christened by Lady May Abel Smith in honour of her husband,
the Governor of Queensland. |
| 21JUN60 |
Ansett-ANA
Viscount Burst Tyres on Landing |
VH-RMG |
| Ansett-ANA
Viscount VH-RMG burst its main gear tyres on landing with the brakes on. |
| 09JUL60 |
TAA
Commenced Operations to Papua New Guinea |
VH-INU |
| TAA commenced
operations SYD/BNE/POM/LAE using DC-6B VH-INU chartered from Ansett-ANA. |
| 11JUL60 |
Ansett-ANA
Commenced Operations to Papua New Guinea |
VH-INT |
| Ansett commenced
operations SYD/BNE/POM/LAE using DC-6B VH-INT. |
| 19JUL60 |
TAA
Electra Hijacked |
VH-TLB |
| En route
SYD/BNE an armed man attempted to hijack the aircraft. The man was overpowered
by one of the crew and the aircraft landed safely at BNE despite two shots
having been fired in flight. |
| 24MAY61 |
DC-4
Crash on Bulwer Island |
VH-TAA |
| Trans-Australia
Airlines DC-4 VH-TAA "Watkin Tench" crashed into mangrove swamps on Bulwer
Island in the Brisbane River. The freighter was making an approach to Eagle
Farm when the captain suffered a heart attack. Both crew were killed although
a dog and five cockatoos being carried as freight survived the crash. |
| 06APR62 |
First
Direct Flight to Singapore by Qantas Boeing 707 |
VH-EBE |
| Qantas Boeing
707-138B VH-EBE "City of Perth" operated the first Qantas Boeing 707 service
BNE/SIN. |
| 25JAN63 |
Ansett
Sandringham Diverted to Redland Bay. |
VH-BRC |
| Ansett Sandringham
VH-BRC diverted to Redland Bay when Rose Bay was closed due to bad weather.
This was the first Sandringham to use Redland Bay since 1957. |
| 03APR63 |
First
BOAC Service to London |
G-APDI
* |
BOAC Comet
Mk 4 arrived from London and operated the first direct BOAC service BNE/DRW/SIN/CMB/BOM/THR/TLV/ZRH/LHR.
The departure from BNE was delayed for three hours because of a bomb hoax.
* Registration subject to confirmation. |
| 14MAY63 |
Ansett-ANA
F-27 Ran Off Runway |
VH-FNI |
| Ansett-ANA
F-27 VH-FNI ran off the runway on landing. |
| 17MAY63 |
Ansett-ANA
DC-4 Damaged Approach Lights |
VH-INX |
| Ansett-ANA
DC-4 VH-INX undershot Runway 22 on landing and damaged several approach
lights. |
| 07SEP63 |
First
Service Brisbane to Honolulu |
VH-EBD |
| Qantas Boeing
707-138B VH-EBD "City of Brisbane" operated the first direct service BNE/HNL. |
| 01MAR65 |
Ansett-ANA Sikorsky S-61N Christened at Brisbane |
VH-BRI |
| Ansett-ANA
Sikorsky S-61N VH-BRI was christened "Coral Islander" at a ceremony at Brisbane
Airport. The aircraft later positioned to Proserpine. |
| 31MAR65 |
First
Service to Manila & Hong Kong by Qantas Boeing 707 |
VH-EBI |
| Qantas Boeing
707-138B VH-EBI "Winton" operated the first Qantas Boeing 707 service BNE/MNL/HKG. |
| 13JUL65 |
Piaggio
P-166B Belly Landing |
VH-PQA |
| Queensland
Airlines Piaggio P-166B Portofino VH-PQA suffered an undercarriage collapse
on landing at Eagle Farm. The aircraft was not badly damaged and there were
no injuries. The aeroplane was noted still under repair on 24JUL65.
|
| 13SEP65 |
Flying
Boat Operations Resumed at Redland Bay |
VH-BRF |
| While Gladstone
Airport was being upgraded, Queensland Airlines chartered the Ansett Flying
Boat Services Short Sandringham VH-BRF "Islander" to maintain services between
Redland Bay and Gladstone until 08OCT65. The aircraft arrived from Sydney
on 12SEP65 and operated a return proving flight to Gladstone the same day.
After completion of the last flight on 08OCT65, the Sandringham returned
to Rose Bay in Sydney.
|
| 03DEC66 |
Last
QAL DC-3 Service |
VH-AOH |
| Queensland
Airlines' last DC-3 service operated by VH-AOH arrived from Gladstone. |
| 04DEC66 |
Last
QAL Service |
VH-FNL |
| Queensland
Airlines' last service (Flight 627) was operated by F-27 VH-FNL (Ansett-ANA
livery) which arrived from Bundaberg and Maryborough. QAL then ceased operations
and the company was merged with Ansett-ANA. |
| 06JAN67 |
Ansett-ANA
Viscount Nosewheel Collapse |
VH-RMG |
| Ansett-ANA
Viscount VH-RMG aquaplaned off the end of the runway on landing, collapsing
the nosewheel. The aircraft was air tested on 01FEB67 and was returned to
service the following day. |
| SEP67 |
"Southern
Cross" Fabric Replaced |
1985 |
| Work commenced
on the recovering of the "Southern Cross". The work was performed by the
Archerfield firm Air Charter using a synthetic fabric known as Eonnex. Some
components were removed to Archerfield for restoration but the majority
of the work was performed inside the glass display building at Eagle Farm.
The work continued into October.
|
| 28MAR68 |
Twin
Otters Delivered to TAA |
VH-TGT/VH-TGU |
| Two DHC-6-200
Twin Otters were delivered to TAA at Brisbane having been ferried across
the Pacific as N1754 and N1756. They later entered service as VH-TGT and
VH-TGU respectively. |
| 16MAY68 |
Bullet
Hole Found in Ansett-ANA DC-9 |
VH-CZC |
| During an
early morning inspection, a bullet hole was found in the tail of Ansett-ANA
DC-9 VH-CZC. |
| 25MAY68 |
First
Ilyushin IL-18 |
CCCP74256 |
| The
Aeroflot aircraft operated a charter to Brisbane with a Russian performance
group. (Source: David Thollar) |
| 11OCT68 |
TAA's
Last Mainland DC-3 Service |
VH-TAI |
| DC-3 VH-TAI
"Baudin" operated TAA's last scheduled mainland DC-3 service from Miles
to Brisbane. TAA continued to operate DC-3s within Papua New Guinea. |
| 19JUL69 |
Sandringham
Flying Boat Diverted to Redland Bay |
VH-BRF |
| The Ansett
Sandringham VH-BRF "Islander", en route Lord Howe Island to Sydney, diverted
to Redland Bay because Rose Bay was closed due to fog. |
| 27OCT69 |
Jetair
Commenced Operations from Brisbane |
VH-CMI |
| Jetair commenced
operations on the Brisbane/Warwick/Stanthorpe routes previously operated
by Westernair. Initial equipment was Beech Queen Air VH-CMI. Jetair subsequently
introduced DC-3s.
|
| 14FEB70 |
First
Air Nauru Service |
VH-BIZ |
| Air Nauru's
inaugural service to Nauru was operated by Dassault Fan Jet Falcon VH-BIZ
which was chartered from Business Jets Pty Ltd. The aircraft was named "Nauru
Chief". |
| 26FEB70 |
DC-9
Skidded off Runway |
VH-CZE |
| Ansett Airlines
DC-9 VH-CZE was struck by a severe wind squall prior to landing and skidded
off the runway and became bogged. There were no injuries and the aircraft
was undamaged. |
| 27NOV70 |
Jetair
Ceased Operations |
- |
| All Jetair
operations ceased on this date. Most of the Jetair DC-3 fleet were subsequently
purchased by the Australian Government and donated to S.E. Asian countries
as foreign aid amidst much political controversy. |
| 04MAY71 |
Boeing
707 Collided with Boeing 727 while Taxying |
VH-EBT,
VH-TJD |
| The Qantas
Boeing 707-338C VH-EBT collided with the parked TAA Boeing 727-76 VH-TJD
while the former was taxying on to the international apron. The wingtip
of the 707 pierced the cockpit windows of the 727. |
| 24SEP71 |
Tail
Cone Fell off DC-9 |
VH-TJM |
| While landing
at BNE the tail cone fell off the aircraft. The tail cone was designed to
be jettisonable to provide an emergency exit. |
| 25OCT71 |
Last
Sandringham Operation from Redland Bay |
VH-BRF |
| Ansett Sandringham
VH-BRF "Islander" departed for Sydney on a special charter, having arrived
from Sydney on 23OCT71. The aircraft departed for Lord Howe Island the same
day (23OCT71) and returned to Redland Bay on 25OCT71. Its subsequent departure
for Sydney at 1715 on 25OCT71 was the last Sandringham operation at Redland
Bay. The last of the two Ansett Sandringhams departed Australia on 28NOV74
after which there was no need to maintain Redland Bay as an alternate for
Rose Bay. Consequently, runway marker buoys and other equipment were withdrawn
shortly thereafter.
|
| 01NOV71 |
Last
BOAC Boeing 707 |
G-ARRC |
| BA713 SYD/BNE/.../LHR.
|
| 01NOV71 |
First
scheduled VC-10 |
G-ASGO |
| BOAC Super
VC-10 G-ASGO operated BA722 LHR/.../BNE/AKL.
|
| 12DEC71 |
First
Widebody/First B747 |
VH-EBD |
| Qantas Boeing
747-238B VH-EBD "City of Perth" on delivery from Seattle. The aircraft was
open for public inspection and departed for SYD later the same day (with
the author as passenger!) |
| 29JAN72 |
First
Air Nauru Fokker F-28 |
C2-RN1 |
| The first
Fokker F-28 Fellowship service BNE/INU was operated by C2-RN1. |
| 28MAY72 |
Last
passenger L188 Electra |
ZK-TEB |
| Lockheed
Electra ZK-TEB carried Air New Zealand livery with added Qantas titles when
it operated QF392 BNE/WLG. |
| 08JAN73 |
Burnett
Airways Navajo Undercarriage Collapse |
VH-PNK |
| The undercarriage
of Burnett Airways' Navajo VH-PNK collapsed while the aircraft was parked
outside the Ansett Terminal. There was nobody on the aircraft at the time. |
| 30JAN73 |
North
Coast Airlines Commenced Operations |
VH-RDA |
| North Coast
Airlines commenced operations to Lismore, Grafton and Coffs Harbour using
Piper Navajo Chieftain VH-RDA. |
| 09FEB73 |
TAA
Fokker F-27 Blocked Runway |
VH-TFC |
| TAA Fokker
Friendship VH-TFC landed with two deflated tyres on the port side, blocking
the runway until the wheels could be changed. |
| 15FEB73 |
Last
L749 Constellation |
N7777G |
| Departed
for MEL with sound equipment for the Rolling Stones. Arrived from AKL on
12FEB73. During its stay in BNE, a small quantity of "a grass-like substance"
was found on board. (This is not surprising on an aeroplane which had previously
transported livestock). This aircraft is now preserved in TWA colours at
The Science Museum in the U.K. |
| 01JUN73 |
First
Air Pacific Service |
DQ-FBQ |
| BAC 111 DQ-FBQ
operated FJ515 SUV/.../BNE. (Coincidentally, this was One Eleven day in
Queensland, as on this same day the first RAAF F-111s arrived at Amberley.)
|
| 08FEB74 |
TAA
Chartered DC-8 Freighter |
N4864T |
| TAA chartered
DC-8-63 freighter N4864T from Trans International to carry freight to Mt
Isa which was cut off from road and rail by floodwaters. The aircraft arrived
from PPG on this date and operated its first service to Mt Isa on 09FEB74.
During the eight day operation, the aircraft carried 1,740,123 pounds of
freight. |
| 20MAY74 |
First
Lockheed L1011 TriStar |
JA8506 |
| This All
Nippon Airways aircraft chartered by Lockheed, arrived from NAN for demonstration
flights. The aircraft operated one demonstration flight on 21MAY74 and departed
for MEL the same day. |
| 03NOV74 |
Baby
Born In Flight |
VH-EBW |
| A baby was
born in flight on Qantas Boeing 707-338C VH-EBW operating QF802 BNE/AKL. |
| 25DEC74 |
Brisbane
Bound VC-10 Diverted to Mt Isa |
G-ASGP |
| British Airways
Super VC-10 G-ASGP operating BA960 LHR/BNE was in the vicinity of DRW when
a passenger suffered a heart attack. As DRW was closed, the Captain elected
to divert to Mt Isa after he "rang the Flying Doctor" on radio. During the
transit at Mt Isa, the starboard main gear door was endorsed: "This aircraft
refuelled at Mt Isa Qld Christmas Day 1974". |
| 30JAN75 |
Last
Bristol Britannia |
XL639 |
| Royal Air
Force Britannia "Atria" operated MEL/BNE/TSV. |
| 02APR75 |
First
Boeing 707 Service from Brisbane to Christchurch |
VH-EBV |
| Qantas Boeing
707-338C VH-EBV "City of Tamworth" operated the first Qantas Boeing 707
service BNE/CHC. |
| 03APR75 |
First
DC-10 |
PH-MBG |
| Martinair
(Holland) DC-10 "Kohoutek" arrived from AKL for fuel en route to SIN. |
| 31AUG75 |
Beech
Super King Air 200 Entered Service with Norfolk Island Airlines |
VH-IBC |
| VH-IBC was
the first of type to be used on airline services in Australia. |
| 14DEC75 |
Malaysian
Airlines System Boeing 707 Visited |
G-AZWA |
| MAS Boeing
707-321 G-AZWA leased from British Midland operated MH718 SYD/BNE/DRW/KUL. |
| 15DEC75 |
Last
flight to old (Igloo) International Terminal |
VH-EAA |
| Qantas Boeing
707-338C VH-EAA "City of Toowoomba". The aircraft was subsequently towed
to the new terminal to operate the first flight the following day. |
| 16DEC75 |
Opening
of new (Temporary) International Terminal |
VH-EAA |
| First departure
was QF956 with 134 passengers to CHC operated by B707-338C VH-EAA "City
of Toowoomba". First arrival was Air New Zealand DC-8 ZK-NZC operating TE801
from AKL with 33 passengers. |
| 30JAN76 |
First
Widebody at new International Terminal |
VH-EBB |
| Qantas B747-238B
VH-EBB operated QF275 HKG/BNE/SYD substituting for B707 due commercial demand. |
| 09FEB76 |
First
Proving Flight by Air Niugini B720 |
P2-ANG |
| The aircraft
which was leased from Tempair in the U.K. arrived from POM as PX9001. |
| 10FEB76 |
Last
Regular TAA Flight on behalf of Air Niugini |
VH-TJA |
| Boeing 727-76
VH-TJA "James Cook" operated TAA's last regular flight to POM although there
were ad hoc charters subsequently. |
| 11FEB76 |
Last
Regular Ansett Flight on behalf of Air Niugini |
VH-RMF |
| Boeing 727-77
VH-RMF operated Ansett's last regular flight to POM although there were
ad hoc charters subsequently. |
| 13FEB76 |
Air
Niugini B720 entered service |
P2-ANG |
| The aircraft
entered service operating PX2 BNE/POM. |
| 23FEB76 |
Burnett
Airways Ceased Operations |
- |
| Burnett Airways,
which began operations in 1971 to Monto and Biloela with Piper Navajo Chieftain
VH-PNK ceased operations on this date. Burnett Airways also operated two
Britten Norman Trislanders; VH-BSG which was delivered in AUG74 and VH-BSP
which was delivered in FEB75.
|
| 26MAR76 |
First
British Airways B747 |
G-AWNH |
| BA970 en
route SIN/MEL diverted for fuel. |
| 02APR76 |
Last
British Airways VC-10 |
G-ASGI |
| Super VC-10
G-ASGI operated BNE/SIN. Passenger on the last flight was Captain Norman
Bristow ("Captain Hushpower"). |
| 04APR76 |
First
Regular Scheduled DC-10 |
ZK-NZM |
| Air New Zealand
TE815 arrived from AKL with 231 passengers and returned to AKL as TE818
with 116 passengers. |
| 07APR76 |
First
Regular Scheduled B747 |
G-AWNO |
| British Airways
BA814 arrived from PER and departed for SYD as BA889A. |
| 06MAY76 |
First
Boeing 737 |
C2-RN3 |
| Air Nauru
operated under charter to Air Pacific as FJ505/506 HIR/BNE/HIR. |
| 01JAN77 |
Last
Air Niugini Boeing 720 |
P2-ANG |
| Operated
PX2 BNE/POM. |
| 03JAN77 |
First
Air Niugini Boeing 707 |
P2-ANH |
| Operated
PX2 BNE/POM. |
| 14JUN77 |
First
Regular Scheduled Qantas Boeing 747 |
VH-EBA |
| B747-238B
"City of Canberra" operated QF723 SYD/BNE/DRW/SIN. |
| 17NOV77 |
Last
DC-6 |
128433 |
| VC-118B 128433
of the U.S. Marines. |
| 09JUN78 |
Re-enactment
of First Trans Pacific Flight |
N50KS |
| The fiftieth
anniversary of Smithy's first trans Pacific flight was commemorated with
a re-enactment of the epic flight. Cessna 340 N50KS was flown by Keith Rose
and Smithy's son, Charles Kingsford-Smith Junior. The aircraft arrived at
Eagle Farm on 09JUN78. |
| 10JUN78 |
Re-enactment
of the first Australian landfall of the "Southern Cross" |
VH-TFL |
| To commemorate
the 50th anniversary of the first trans Pacific flight, the Queensland Branch
of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia chartered a latter day Fokker
product, TAA Fokker F-27 Friendship VH-TFL, to re-enact the first Australian
landfall of the "Southern Cross" over Ballina.
|
| 28SEP78 |
Commencement
of "Operation Gooney Bird" |
VH-PNM |
| Bush Pilots
Airways DC-3 VH-PNM was chartered by Jetset Tours to operate scenic flights
from Brisbane under the name "Operation Gooney Bird". Flights continued
until the end of October.
|
| 02FEB79 |
Last
Qantas Boeing 707 |
VH-EAG |
| Operated
QF26 POM/BNE/SYD (with the author as passenger). |
| 05JUN79 |
Piper
Comanche Landed Wheels Up |
VH-RTJ |
| Piper Comanche
VH-RTJ landed wheels up at Eagle Farm blocking the runway. |
| 08JUN79 |
TAA
DC-9 Hijacked |
VH-TJJ |
| TAA DC-9
VH-TJJ was hijacked by an armed man after departure OOL for BNE. The gunman
was overpowered by the Flight Hostesses. |
| 05SEP79 |
Air
New Zealand DC-8 Threatened |
ZK-NZE |
| En route
CHC/BNE, a passenger on Air New Zealand DC-8 ZK-NZE was heard to make a
threat against the aircraft. The man was arrested and charged. |
| 28SEP79 |
The
Saga of Harry |
VH-UMH |
| A troubled
eighteen year old named Harry stole Beechcraft Musketeer VH-UMH from BNE
and circled the airport for three hours. Eventually he managed to land the
aircraft and he was taken into custody. |
| 16JAN80 |
Wreckage
of "Southern Cross Minor" Arrived |
VH-EBL |
| The wreckage
of the Avro Avian "Southern Cross Minor" which once belonged to Smithy and
which was recovered by an expedition to the Sahara Desert arrived in BNE
in the holds of Qantas Boeing 747-238B VH-EBL. |
| 19FEB80 |
Ex
Qantas DC-4 |
N5581S |
| The DC-4
which had served with Qantas and later Air Express as VH-EDB, departed for
the U.S. on sale to Basler Airlines of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. NOTE: Both DC-4s
were incorrectly painted in MEL. On arrival in the U.S. the registrations
were reversed. Thus VH-EDA became N5581S and VH-EDB became N5581T. |
| 09MAR80 |
Ex
Qantas DC-4 |
N5581T |
| The DC-4
which had served with Qantas and later Air Express as VH-EDA, departed for
the U.S. on sale to Basler Airlines of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. NOTE: Both DC-4s
were incorrectly painted in MEL. On arrival in the U.S. the registrations
were reversed. Thus VH-EDA became N5581S and VH-EDB became N5581T.
|
| 09APR80 |
Queensland
Air Museum Moved on to Brisbane Airport |
A84-225,
WD647, WZ898, WZ910 |
| The QAM aircraft
were trucked from Lower Nudgee to a site near Navy Street. |
| 27OCT80 |
First
Air Niugini Fokker F-28 |
P2-ANF |
| Operated
PX5 POM/BNE. |
| 04DEC80 |
Flight
of two DC-3s |
ZK-AWQ,
ZK-AQU |
| These two
ex-RNZAF aircraft arrived en route to South Africa. |
| 17DEC80 |
Flight
of three DC-3s |
ZK-AZM,
ZK-AQP, ZK-ERI |
| A further
three ex-RNZAF aircraft arrived en route to South Africa. Coincidentally,
17DEC is the anniversary of the first flight of the first DC-3 in 1935. |
| 25JAN81 |
First
Qantas Boeing 747SP |
VH-EAA |
| "City of
Gold Coast - Tweed" arrived from OOL as QF145. The aircraft operated two
promotional flight on 26JAN and positioned to SYD as QF148.
|
| 01FEB81 |
Catalina |
N68756 |
| Arrived on
delivery to the Australian Wing of the Confederate Air Force.
|
| 05FEB81 |
Qantas
Inaugural B747SP to WLG Cancelled |
VH-EAA |
| A much-publicised
inaugural flight to WLG was cancelled owing to industrial action by cabin
crew.
|
| 09FEB81 |
First
Qantas B747SP Service |
VH-EAA |
| Arrived from
WLG as QF62 and departed to AKL as QF32. |
| 18FEB81 |
Record
Passenger Uplift |
G-AWND |
| Boeing 747-136
G-AWND of British Airways operated BA12 BNE/DRW/SIN with 463 passengers
(including 8 infants). |
| 06JUN81 |
First
Regular Scheduled Philippine Airlines service. |
RP-C2114 |
| DC-10-30
RP-C2114 operated PR213 MNL/BNE/SYD. |
| 14JUN81 |
First
Air New Zealand Boeing 747 |
ZK-NZV |
| Operated
TE137/138 AKL/BNE/AKL. |
| 30AUG81 |
TAA
Airbus A300 Christened in Brisbane |
VH-TAB |
| TAA's second
A300 VH-TAB arrived in BNE on delivery from France. While in BNE the aeroplane
was christened "John Oxley" by the Queensland Governor. |
| 16NOV81 |
First
Air Pacific Boeing 737 |
DQ-FDM |
| Boeing 737-2X2
DQ-FDM arrived from NAN as FJ571. |
| 02DEC81 |
Last
Vickers Viscount |
ZK-SKY |
| The Viscount
which once served with British European Airways and British Airways as G-AOHT,
was returning to British Air Ferries after the failure of the New Zealand
operator, Skybus. |
| 13DEC81 |
Last
Air New Zealand Passenger DC-8 |
ZK-NZE |
| Operated
TE162 BNE/WLG. |
| 25DEC81 |
Last
Aeronavale DC-4 |
9148 |
| Aeronavale
(French Navy) DC-4 9148 departed for NOU. This aeroplane crashed into a
hill in NOU on 22JAN82 with the loss of all on board. |
| 03APR82 |
First
Regular Scheduled Thai Airways International Flight |
HS-TGA |
| Boeing 747
HS-TGA operated TG987/988 BKK/BNE/SYD. |
| 03APR82 |
First
Philippine Airlines Boeing 747 |
N741PR |
| Operated
PR213 MNL/BNE/SYD. |
| 05AUG82 |
First
Regular Scheduled Cathay Pacific Flight |
VR-HKG |
| Boeing 747-200
VR-HKG operated CX101/100 HKG/BNE/SYD. |
| 18OCT82 |
The
Mongoose Incident |
DQ-FDM |
| Air Pacific
Boeing 737 DQ-FDM was operating FJ515 from HIR when a mongoose revealed
itself on the flight deck on finals into BNE. After a missed approach to
compose themselves, the crew landed safely and the mongoose was subsequently
apprehended by quarantine authorities. Senior Flight Attendant was Maureen
Cuskelly (nee Dass). Mongoose name unknown. |
| 30OCT82 |
Last
Air New Zealand DC-10 |
ZK-NZR |
| Operated
TE138 BNE/AKL. |
| JAN83 |
QAM
Canberra Struck by Missile |
A84-225 |
| A home-made
projectile was fired at the Queensland Air Museum's Canberra bomber at the
Navy Street storage site to demonstrate what an extortionist proposed to
do to a TAA airliner. Damage was confined to a gash in a bomb bay door which
was subsequently repaired by the RAAF. |
| 30APR83 |
First
East-West Airlines Norfolk Island Flight |
VH-EWA |
| Fokker F-28
VH-EWA operated EW6664/6665 NLK/BNE/NLK. |
| 10JUL83 |
Last
East-West Airlines Norfolk Island Flight |
VH-EWA |
| Fokker F-28
VH-EWA operated EW6664/6665 NLK/BNE/NLK. |
| 18SEP83 |
First
Air New South Wales Norfolk Island Flight |
VH-FKI |
| Fokker F-28
VH-FKI (in Airlines of W.A. colours) operated WX890 BNE/NLK. |
| 01DEC83 |
Last
Regular Scheduled Air Niugini F-28 |
P2-ANE |
| Operated
PX3006 BNE/POM. Some ad hoc substitutions and charters were operated subsequently. |
| 20DEC83 |
B-25
Mitchell |
N8196H |
| Arrived from
the U.S. on delivery to the Australian War Memorial. The aeroplane operated
briefly on the airshow circuit as VH-XXV (roman numerals for 25) before
being placed in storage with its wings removed. The aircraft was subsequently
sold and shipped back to the United States! |
| 06JAN84 |
First
Air Caledonie International Flight |
C2-RN3 |
| Air Nauru
B737 C2-RN3 operated SB120/121 NOU/BNE/NOU under charter to Air Caledonie
International. |
| 17JAN84 |
Ansett
Lockheed Electra Freighter |
VH-RMC |
| Ansett Electra
freighter VH-RMC operated a relief flight to flooded Mt Isa. Was this the
last Ansett Electra flight from BNE? The aeroplane was sold to Turbo Power
International on 29JUN84. |
| 16MAR84 |
Last
Air Pacific BAC 111 |
DQ-FBQ |
| Operated
FJ714 BNE/NAN. This aeroplane and her sistership DQ-FBV were subsequently
sold to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for test flying. Not so lucky was
Air Pacific's third BAC 111 DQ-FCR, an earlier model which was much unloved
because its load carrying capabilities did not match those of the other
two aircraft. DQ-FCR ended her flying days when corrosion was discovered
in the tailplane. The aeroplane was parted out at Nausori where the hulk
later became derelict. Ironically, the only part of the airframe which served
a useful purpose was the part that led to the aeroplane's retirement. The
corroded tailplane served as a footbridge across a nearby creek!
|
| 31MAR84 |
First
Regular Scheduled Singapore Airlines Flight |
N119KE |
| Boeing 747-312
N119KE operated SQ21A/22A SYD/BNE/SYD |
| 19APR84 |
Last
Aeronavale Lockheed Neptune |
148330 |
| Departed
for Noumea. All Aeronavale Neptunes were withdrawn from service soon after,
the majority being burned. |
| 09OCT84 |
First
Ansett Flight to Port Vila |
VH-CZM |
| Boeing 737-277
VH-CZM operated AN182 SYD/BNE/VLI. |
| 18NOV84 |
First
Lockheed C-5A Galaxy |
69-0022 |
| USAF arrived
from Pago Pago and departed for Alice Springs the following day. |
| 28NOV84 |
First
Air Niugini Airbus 300 |
P2-ANG |
| Operated
PX4 SYD/BNE/POM. |
| 30NOV84 |
Last
Air Nauru/Air Caledonie Charter |
C2-RN6 |
| Boeing 737
C2-RN6 operated SB150/151 NOU/BNE/NOU under charter to Air Caledonie International. |
| 07DEC84 |
First
Air Caledonie International Caravelle |
F-GEPC |
| Caravelle
10B3 "Marina" operated SB150/151 NOU/BNE/NOU. The aeroplane was delivered
through BNE on 02DEC84. |
| 30JAN85 |
Last
Air Niugini Boeing 707 |
P2-ANB |
| Operated
PX4006 BNE/POM. |
| 03FEB85 |
Queensland
Air Museum Meteor at ITB |
WD647 |
| The Meteor
was towed from QAM's Navy Street site to the ITB for trucking to Amberley
for repainting by the RAAF. |
| 19MAR85 |
QAM
Meteor returned to ITB |
WD647 |
| The Meteor
returned to the ITB after repainting at RAAF Amberley.
|
| 26JUL85 |
Armed
Man Held Children Hostage |
- |
| An armed
man, who had earlier chartered a Bell 206 Jetranger on the Gold Coast to
take his two children for a flight ordered the pilot to land at BNE where
the gunman threatened to ignite a tanker of avgas. The gunman eventually
surrendered. |
| 27JUL85 |
First
Qantas Boeing 767-238 |
VH-EAJ |
| Operated
a training flight CNS/BNE/SYD as QF7679. |
| 31JUL85 |
First
Scheduled Qantas Boeing 767-238 |
VH-EAK |
| Operated
QF57 BNE/WLG. |
| 08SEP85 |
First
Qantas Boeing 747-338 EUD |
VH-EBU |
| Operating
QF2 SIN/SYD diverted BNE due fog in SYD. |
| 29SEP85 |
QAM
Meteor Towed to Navy Street |
WD647 |
| The Meteor
returned to QAM's Navy Street storage site. |
| 06OCT85 |
First
Air New Zealand Boeing 767-219 |
ZK-NBA |
| Operated
TE167/166 WLG/BNE/WLG |
| 19JAN86 |
First
Scheduled Qantas Boeing 747-338 EUD |
VH-EBU |
| Operated
QF21 SYD/BNE/NRT |
| 22MAR86 |
Air
Caledonie's Relief Caravelle Arrived |
F-GFBA |
| Caravelle
10B1R F-GFBA of Europe Aero Service entered service while F-GEPC was undergoing
maintenance. |
| 22MAY86 |
Air
Queensland ATR-42 Entered Service |
VH-AQC |
| Air Queensland
began ATR-42 operations when VH-AQC operated Brisbane/Thangool/Gladstone. |
| 13JUN86 |
Queensland
Air Museum Vacated Brisbane Airport |
A84-225,
WD647, WZ898, WZ910, VH-FDR |
| Canberra
A84-225, Meteor WD647, Sea Venoms WZ898 & WZ910 and Drover VH-FDR were trucked
to Caloundra Aerodrome. |
| 21JUN86 |
"Odyssey
86" DC-3 Visited |
C-FGXW |
| The DC-3
arrived from NOU on a round-world flight to promote Expo 86 in Vancouver.
The aircraft departed for CNS and POM on 24JUN86.
|
| 21JUN86 |
Air
Caledonie Relief Caravelle Departed |
F-GFBA |
| Air Caledonie's
relief aircraft operated its last service for this relief period before
returning to Europe Aero Service. |
| 28JUN86 |
Air
Caledonie Caravelle Returned to Service |
F-GEPC |
| Air Caledonie's
Caravelle returned to service after maintenance. |
| 26SEP86 |
TAA
DC-9 Collided with Fuel Tanker |
VH-TJU |
| The wingtip
of TAA DC-9 VH-TJU struck a fuel tanker while the aircraft was taxying after
landing, damaging two metres of the port wing. |
| 19FEB87 |
First
Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-300 |
VR-HII |
| The first
Cathay Pacific B747-300 to visit BNE. |
| 24MAY87 |
Official
Opening of New Brisbane Airport |
- |
| Brisbane's
new Domestic Terminal and runways were officially opened. |
| 24MAY87 |
First
F/A-18A Hornet at ITB |
A21-15 |
| Several Hornets
of 3 Squadron visited for the opening of the new airport. A21-15 became
unserviceable and was parked on Bay 1 at the ITB until 28MAY87. Fault was
traced to hidden chafing of wiring looms. Pilot was FLG OFF Russ Page who
was sadly killed on 19NOV90 when his Macchi MB326H A7-076 crashed into the
sea off Williamtown. |
| 24MAY87 |
Spitfire
Visited |
VH-HET |
| Spitfire
Mk VIII VH-HET owned by Colin Pay of Scone, NSW operated from the ITB as
part of the new airport opening celebrations. |
| 31MAY87 |
Last
Air Queensland Service |
VH-AQD |
| Air Queensland
operated its last service to Brisbane when ATR-42 VH-AQD arrived from Emerald
and Thangool. From this date, all Air Queensland operations were north of
Rockhampton. |
| JUL87 |
Airship
Operations from Brisbane |
VH-HAA |
| Skyship 600
VH-HAA operated scenic flights from the grassed area to the north of Bay
1 at the ITB for several weeks.
|
| 25SEP87 |
Last
Air New Zealand DC-8 Freighter |
ZK-NZD |
| Air New Zealand's
DC-8 freighter paid its last visit to BNE. |
| 17OCT87 |
USAF
"Thunderbirds" Demonstration Team Arrived |
See
Below |
The Thunderbirds
visited BNE as part of a world tour. Their F-16s and support C-141 and KC-10
operated from the new airport. The F-16s arrived from MEL on 17OCT87 and
departed for PPG on 19OCT87. The following list of participating aircraft
was supplied by official sources but it is suspected that some unannounced
substitutions were made so the list should be used with caution.
| TYPE |
SERIAL |
PILOT |
CALLSIGN |
| F-16A |
81-0677 |
LT
COL Riggs |
Thunderbird
01 |
| F-16A |
81-0683 |
MAJ
Robinson |
Thunderbird
02 |
| F-16A |
81-0678 |
CAPT
Bulner |
Thunderbird
03 |
| F-16A |
81-0667 |
CAPT
Undhjem |
Thunderbird
04 |
| F-16A |
81-0679 |
CAPT
Weiler |
Thunderbird
05 |
| F-16A |
81-0670 |
CAPT
Schow |
Thunderbird
06 |
| F-16A |
81-0663 |
MAJ
Java |
Thunderbird
07 |
| F-16B |
81-0815 |
CAPT
Nelson |
Thunderbird
08 |
| C-141B |
66-0180 |
CAPT
Martin |
Thunderbird
14 |
| C-141B |
66-0150 |
CAPT
Gulliver |
Thunderbird
24 |
| KC-10A |
79-1948 |
MAJ
Brigman |
Thunderbird
25 |
|