The Qantas Founders Museum.
Oct 31, 2019 02:29:52 #
A Brief History Of Australia's Qantas Airways
Qantas is Australia's largest airline and currently offers domestic and overseas air travel, air freight and aircraft maintenance and engineering services. Founded in Central West Queensland in 1920, Qantas is also cited as one of the oldest airlines in the world.
The airline began offering joy flights and an aerial taxi service, flying passengers, mail and freight to remote towns and cattle stations throughout outback Queensland and the Northern Territory thus the name Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS) was born.
As more aircraft were needed to meet the airline's rapidly expanding operations, Qantas became the first airline in the world to build and fly its own aircraft. Between 1926 and 1929, under agreement with the British aircraft manufacturer de Havilland, Qantas constructed eight aircraft for their (Qantas) own use.
Between 1928 and 1947, Qantas leased aircraft and pilots to the Aerial Medical Service (AMS), who in 1942 changed its name to the Flying Doctor Service to which, “Royal” was added after Queen Elizabeth's visit to Australia in 1955 becoming the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
During the years 1934 to 1947, Qantas changed its name to Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA) to reflect its joint venture with Britain's Imperial Airways as the airline ventured into overseas travel and airmail services.
During WWII, between 1942 and 1945, under contract to the US Army, QEA flew troops and supplies to New Guinea and between 1943 and 1945, with five obsolete Catalina flying boats “borrowed” from the Royal Navy, QEA operated a Top Secret service between Perth (Western Australia), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). QEA Engineering was also kept busy during the war period repairing and maintaining military air craft and components as well as providing expertise and key personnel to the Navy and RAAF aircraft engine overhaul and repair workshops.
In 1947 Qantas became a wholly Australian Government owned enterprise and in 1949 ceased operating domestic (local) flights to operate solely as an international airline.
In 1992, after 43 years as an exclusively overseas airline, Qantas merged with Australia's only other government owned airline and began to resume domestic flights again.
During a recent holiday touring outback Queensland, my wife and I spent several hours over two days exploring the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach where I captured the following photographs.
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Qantas is Australia's largest airline and currently offers domestic and overseas air travel, air freight and aircraft maintenance and engineering services. Founded in Central West Queensland in 1920, Qantas is also cited as one of the oldest airlines in the world.
The airline began offering joy flights and an aerial taxi service, flying passengers, mail and freight to remote towns and cattle stations throughout outback Queensland and the Northern Territory thus the name Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS) was born.
As more aircraft were needed to meet the airline's rapidly expanding operations, Qantas became the first airline in the world to build and fly its own aircraft. Between 1926 and 1929, under agreement with the British aircraft manufacturer de Havilland, Qantas constructed eight aircraft for their (Qantas) own use.
Between 1928 and 1947, Qantas leased aircraft and pilots to the Aerial Medical Service (AMS), who in 1942 changed its name to the Flying Doctor Service to which, “Royal” was added after Queen Elizabeth's visit to Australia in 1955 becoming the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
During the years 1934 to 1947, Qantas changed its name to Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA) to reflect its joint venture with Britain's Imperial Airways as the airline ventured into overseas travel and airmail services.
During WWII, between 1942 and 1945, under contract to the US Army, QEA flew troops and supplies to New Guinea and between 1943 and 1945, with five obsolete Catalina flying boats “borrowed” from the Royal Navy, QEA operated a Top Secret service between Perth (Western Australia), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). QEA Engineering was also kept busy during the war period repairing and maintaining military air craft and components as well as providing expertise and key personnel to the Navy and RAAF aircraft engine overhaul and repair workshops.
In 1947 Qantas became a wholly Australian Government owned enterprise and in 1949 ceased operating domestic (local) flights to operate solely as an international airline.
In 1992, after 43 years as an exclusively overseas airline, Qantas merged with Australia's only other government owned airline and began to resume domestic flights again.
During a recent holiday touring outback Queensland, my wife and I spent several hours over two days exploring the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach where I captured the following photographs.
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This wood frame, fabric covered, open cockpit, Avro 504K is a replica of the first Qantas aircraft which the founders took delivery of on 30th of January 1921.
(Download)
This de Havilland DH50 is a replica of the first of eight aircraft constructed by Qantas between 1926 and 1929. Cited at the time as a “luxury airliner” because up to four passengers could be seated in an enclosed cabin.
(Download)
Another replica, the de Havilland, DH 61 Giant Moth. Whilst the pilot was still exposed to the elements, up to seven passengers could travel in the enclosed cabin which was also fitted with a toilet.
(Download)
The original Qantas Hangar constructed in 1921 continued to be used as a maintenance centre after Qantas moved its headquarters to Brisbane, 1,000 km (600 miles) West of Longreach, in 1930. Photos 2 and 3 above were taken inside this hangar.
(Download)
Catalina PBY5. This aircraft is an example of five obsolete Catalinas acquired by QEA in 1943 and used to carry out secret World War II operations.
(Download)
Qantas Empire Airways Douglas DC3 with missing rudder.
(Download)
Lockheed Super Constellation L 1049. Qantas began taking delivery of its Super Constellation aircraft in 1954 as they expanded their international flights and opened up new overseas routes.
(Download)
Qantas entered the jet age in 1959 with the introduction of the Boeing 707.
(Download)
The Boeing 747 was dubbed “The Aeroplane That Changed The World”. Its unique wide bodied design enabled it to carry twice the number of passengers than any aircraft before it which enabled airlines to significantly reduce fares.
(Download)
Boeing 747. Note the inboard pod attached for transporting spare engines. The first Boeing 747 entered service in 1970, less than 50 years after Qantas took delivery of its first fabric covered, wood frame, open cockpit bi-plane in 1921.
(Download)
Oct 31, 2019 06:19:20 #
Oct 31, 2019 07:22:41 #
Jay Pat wrote:
Very nice!!!
Pat
Pat
Thanks for looking JP.
Oct 31, 2019 08:51:55 #
Oct 31, 2019 08:55:20 #
Oct 31, 2019 09:48:42 #
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Oct 31, 2019 11:25:12 #
Oct 31, 2019 11:48:30 #
Oct 31, 2019 21:35:10 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
Great set, and thanks for the words.
You are welcome Richard, thank you for stopping by.
Oct 31, 2019 21:36:42 #
jederick wrote:
Excellent series...really enjoyed your informative intro!! 
Thank you jedrick, I appreciate your comments.
Oct 31, 2019 21:38:05 #
NMGal wrote:
Really neat seeing the progression of airplane evolution in one series.
And only spanning 50 years. Thanks for looking NM.
Oct 31, 2019 21:39:05 #
Bob Mevis wrote:
A great series and interesting narrative.
Thank you for your comments Bob.
Nov 1, 2019 00:14:53 #
Nov 1, 2019 04:22:24 #
tbell7D wrote:
Fascinating set of images, and I enjoyed reading about the history of Qantas.
Thanks for looking tbell7D, I always aim to please.
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