Qantas used Avalon airport for 707 crew training. Avalon at the time was the factory aerodrome for Commonwealth Aircraft and the Government Aircraft Factory. It offered a runway suitable for the 707 with little traffic. VH-EBB was later converted to turbofan power as a 707-138B. Qantas sold it in 1967. Photo from: Museums Victoria Collections

Qantas' first jetliner pulling onto the the ramp at New York's Idlewild Airport (now JFK) in October, 1960, wearing the 40th anniversary logo. Now preserved in Australia as VH-XBA.

operated for the Congo Government - before being painted in Boeing colors (photographer unknown)

This beuatiful plane was originally delivered to Qantas in September 1959 as VH-EBG and went on to fly with British Eagle and Laker as G-AWDG. It was sold to the USA in November 1978 as N600JJ and going on to fly with Skyways International, later becoming N707SK. In 1998 the plane became President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo's personal transport and is pictured during a two-year maintenance and overhaul visit to KMIA. It appears not to have flown since 2016 but is reported to be intact and parked at Kinshasa (FZAA).

VH-EBC prior to being fitted with JT3D turbofans. Qantas used Avalon for 707 crew training. It had the required runway length and was remote from residential areas. Avalon's main purpose back then was as the flight test airstrip for jet aircraft built for the RAAF. Photo from: National Library of Australia

Privately owned by a millionaire, so we were told.

Wearing the original QANTAS B707 livery.

Photo taken before its first flight, which was as N31239. As the first of the shortest 707 model (only 13 built, all for Qantas), it undertook a brief test program. This meant VH-EBB was delivered to Australia first. It was named City of Canberra and -EBA was renamed City of Melbourne. Note that soon after delivery, -EBB reverted to its planned name of City of Sydney and VH-EBC became the third 707 to be named City of Canberra in a few months.

VH-EBB before its conversion to a -138B with turbofan engines

Security, what security? Shot at Brisbane Eagle Farm outside the International Terminal "igloo".

Qantas first Boeing 707 wearing the early colour scheme and with the initial lower height fin. It is powered by the original non-turbofans, replaced in 1961 when it became a series 138B. Note Heathrow's hi-tec security - a no entry sign for spotters to lean on!