Super Constellation Launch (LRE)

[samh004]

In September 2014 I wrote about how the Qantas Founders Outback Museum had finally 'landed' a 'Super Constellation', so when I received my March/April QFM & QFOM Newsletter and inside was an invitation to the Super Constellation Launch, I was very quick to RSVP. This event will include pre-dinner drinks at the Super Constellation, followed by a two course dinner in the main exhibition hall.

As a member of the Qantas Foundation Memorial (QFM) I like to be across all aspects of the museum and get along to as many events as possible, although usually that's limited to one visit each year. I usually make the trek for the AGM, however that was held on the same weekend as a Buzz wine tour this year and I'd already booked myself down to Adelaide.



I hope you can join me on this one night only launch of their brand new static display and I shall try my best to showcase 'Southern Spray' VH-EAM.

 

[samh004]

I guess waking before 0500 isn’t ever great, but being a Friday morning I had to take into account the traffic heading to Brisbane, and there was a lot of it. Funny though, I remembered it was a Friday for traffic but forgot that would mean the lounge would also be busy. Nevertheless, premium entry worked a treat as always and I was soon upstairs having sloppy scrambled eggs and burnt coffee.



My flight to Longreach this morning took me via Blackall (BKQ), a town I have never stepped off the plane at but have passed through often enough. I hear it has a working ‘wool scour’ as its primary tourist attraction.



I always take my flight logbook with me when I fly, and receive varying levels of engagement. On today’s flight I received little more than the basics, but sometimes receive comments on navigational tracks, cruising altitude and/or printouts from the flight deck.

 

[RB]

Looking forward to your report. I really enjoyed myself when I visited Longreach. We saw the Jackie Howe statue & "one of" the Black Stumps when we went through Blackall

 

[samh004]

I love arriving into Longreach, especially when there’s an event on as there’s a welcome party and usually a free ride to my hotel. Today was no exception. I also found out tonight’s event will feature over 100 guests including local and state ministers. I didn’t realise until I got off the plane, but the member representing my district in state politics was onboard my flight. She no doubt had just as much of an early start as me.



On this visit I’m staying at the Longreach Tourist Park. Whenever I visit the area I choose tourist parks as they provide more than the motel rooms while usually costing less. I’ll book what is referred to as a cabin, that can sometimes contain multiple rooms, along with a kitchenette and interesting decor. The competing park for instance went through a major refurbishment a few years ago to the extent you’d believe you were in the big city after stepping into one of their rooms, not the country. Alas, this time it was just a ‘Deluxe Cabin’.

 

[Deleted member]

Have Fun, I know you're a dedicated member of the QFM and this sounds like a great event

 

[samh004]

Have Fun, I know you're a dedicated member of the QFM and this sounds like a great event

That I am, and this extends to the wonderful McGinness’ Restaurant in the museum that has picked up many an award.

Meals quite often take their names from the history of Qantas, such as the DC3 Wrap or AVRO Rib Fillet Sandwich. I think the best named dish is the Hudson Fysh Of the Day though!

Today I took a look at the specials and chose something that doesn’t have a distinctive name, but sounded intriguing nonetheless. Before you judge the colour – that’s an avocado sauce!



The museum receives a lot from Qantas, including cutlery and crockery.

 

[samh004]

I don’t want to take away a future experience from anyone by posting too much of the contents of the museum, so shall try my best to limit photos inside.



Naturally, they have an extensive collection of oversized model planes. This extends to a track that runs the length of the ceiling with their different aircraft from their early years.



There’s the occasional engine too, this one an RB211-524D4-19/25. It weighs four and a half tons and my partner has been underneath it (when the curator was pointing out a part) in the past!



My favourite exhibit is still the Catalina though! Several speakers inside the fuselage tell the story before the sound of an actual engine rumbles to life and you can feel the vibrations as if they were actually running.

 

[samh004]

The Landsborough Highway is the main road in and out of town, with Winton to the North-West (highly recommended after you’ve seen all on offer in Longreach) and Ilfracombe & Barcaldine to the East (Blackall is to the South of Barcaldine). The town proper is protected from this busy highway by a windbreak planted with native plants that attracts native wildlife. Set down the centre of this windbreak is a walking path, stretching from the town hall, past the Founders Museum and airport to the Stockmans Hall of Fame (also worth a visit if you have a day free to absorb it all).



Spread along this path are signs promoting a healthy lifestyle through getting your steps up. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a taxi into town.



The streets are all extra wide and you see plenty of road trains, but also curiously, a lot of these signs.



The weather for my trip is gorgeous, although I expect it to be a chilly night and morning tomorrow. The heat is usually quite dry, but they do straddle a rather important line.

 

[samh004]

I guess this was what everyone wants to see!



And a sunset shot of the 747.

 

[samh004]

I will have more ‘money shots’ later and tomorrow.

For now, we move to the museum for dinner.



A look at the menu.

 

[Deleted member]

Nice looking menu.

 

[samh004]

Nice looking menu.

I missed a photo of dessert, but found my meat a little too cooked for my liking. Probably suited most of the folk at dinner though.

 

[jb747]

Last time I was in Longreach was back in 2010, on a long drive. I expect I’ll get back, with caravan in tow, within the next couple of years.

I did the 747 tour. Lots of years flying it, but getting out on the wing was a new experience. Last time I’d flown that particular aircraft was back around 1988, so the dials and lack of screens confused my now digital brain.

Is their plan to get the aircraft under some form of cover progressing at all?

 

[craven morehead]

What a fantastic opportunity @samh004 I haven't visited since 2006.Must be time for another look and it's only a 5 hour drive from my place!

 

[samh004]

I had intended to take a few more photos last night, but enjoying the evening took over and I soon forgot about my TR.

Flash forward to this morning and I wanted to share a morning photo of ‘Southern Spray’ on her own.



With the moon hanging in the sky this morning, how could I not resist including it alongside ‘City of Bunbury’!

 

[samh004]

Is their plan to get the aircraft under some form of cover progressing at all?

Funding for that was secured from the federal government. Barnaby Joyce even visited to announce it at the time he was still Deputy PM. I’m only a member, so do not know the specifics of when the money is going to hit the account but I reckon they’ll be pushing to get it over the planes before 2020 / the 100th anniversary.

The next major fundraising goal is actually to get ‘City of Bunbury’ repainted in the original livery (including the ochre stripes, winged roo and a polished belly)!

Must be time for another look

Most definitely. I know the first time I visited was after that and back then you could only do one wing walk, so at least on the experience front, there’s a whole lot more on offer. Some new planes too – in great liveries.

 

[samh004]

Now I did mention yesterday that McGinness’ Restaurant not only does some great food, but also receives a lot of hand-me-downs from Qantas.



This was no more evident than at breakfast this morning! Perfectly poached, delicious eggs royale (salmon).

 

[samh004]

I'm now back on the Gold Coast and have better access to some of the larger images and videos from the night. I really wish I had more to show though. I managed to get a lovely panorama before the crowd arrived, but the image was too big to post.



I also didn't get too bad a photo of the christening, featuring QLD's Member for Gregory (local area) Lachlan Millar and Member for Gaven (representing the government) Meaghan Scanlon. Instead of breaking a bottle over a newly painted plane they instead poured some bubbly over the nose!

 

[samh004]

Lastly, but certainly not least! For me there's always a highlight to these evenings that I know the museum likes to draw on. It pulls on the heart strings a little. Watch the crowd in front of me rush for their phones when they realise what the kids are singing. One of them is even the Member for Gregory!

I stopped after the first bit, but they sung the whole song, and the museums Facebook recorded it from a different angle.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1822325677805644

 

[kpc]

There was a piece about this on channel 7 news tonight....it said the outside of the plane is now fully restored but they now need to restore the inside