One of two HS.125s purchased by Qantas in 1966 for use as 707 crew trainers, with some basic modifications to emulate that aircraft. It has been gradually deteriorating at this small grass field for several decades, the private owner unprepared to sell or let a museum care for it.

Slowly rotting into the ground is the former QANTAS HS-125 VH-ECE. I inspected the aircraft closely the day I took this photo. Corrosion is now exploding on parts of the airframe, meaning its long-term viability looks rough. Sadly the current owner doesn't wish to sell or let it go into museum preservation.

Delivered new to QANTAS in June 1966 initially to train crews for the airlines Boeing 707s. Cancelled from the Australian register in October 1981 and stored for many years at this small grass field to the south west of Sydney.

Used for crew training

Fitted with a cockpit similar to a 707 in layout for crew training.

Wearing the original livery.

VH-ECE was registered in August 2000.

Wearing her final livery prior to disposal.

Qantas crew trainer. It was modified to handle like a Boeing 707 and had some instrumentation from the 707. It was withdrawn from use in 1981, its Viper engines sold to Rolls Royce and the airframe disposed of. It was trucked to a small airstrip at The Oaks, west of Sydney, where it became derelict.