Qantas Founders Museum (QFM) has completed disassembly of their recently-acquired Super Constellation in preparation for shipping to Australia.
QFM bought the Super Connie N4247K at an auction held in The Philippines last September. The aircraft has been grounded in Manila for the past 25 years.
QFM will add it to their collection in Longreach, QLD, as an aircraft of significance to the Qantas story.
Due to the condition of the aircraft QFM plans to transport it by ship to Australia and by road to Longreach.
QFM CEO Tony Martin said the assistance of volunteers and various local industry organisations had ensured the rapid and successful progress of this stage.
“The Project Manager Rodney Seccombe arranged the employment of Manila local engineers and volunteers including former Qantas Engineers who have worked tirelessly and efficiently on this stage of project.
Within three weeks they have removed the major components of engines/propellers, tri-tail, wings and landing gears, with plans to move the fuselage and aircraft components to a storage area after Easter in preparation for transportation by ship to Australia.
“We have been fortunate and are most grateful to have received assistance and advice from industry partners including Qantas Airways, the Manila International Airport Authority, Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Heli Craft Aero Industries and the Australian Government,” Martin said.
”We also have a major fundraising drive underway with corporate and individual donations being received and in progress.”
Detailed arrangements and plans for the transportation and restoration of the aircraft are currently underway.
The Super Constellation is significant for Qantas because:
- It was the first aircraft that enabled Qantas to establish long-range overseas air service in its own right. This was the longest air service in the world using the same aircraft all the way
- A Super Constellation operated the first Qantas trans-Pacific air service in 1954
- It was the first Qantas aircraft to feature flight hostesses
- It was the first pressurised aircraft operated by Qantas
- Qantas Super Constellations operated the first ever regular round-the-world air services via both hemispheres in 1958.