QF 744 retirement. Where is it at?

[MarkR]

It is the last non ER!

[Kent Broadhead]

It's the second time I've had an airport visit accidentally coincide with a 744 retirement flight. Wondered why there were so many people on L12!

[James Smith]

I'm pretty sure that OJU is the last of the Rolls Royce powered QF 744

Yes, it is Sean.

Did anyone get a photo of its final departure from Oz?

[Kent Broadhead]

There were at least 25 people with cameras where I was (I only had my phone). I'm sure many shots will turn up.

[Greg Hyde]

From QF Source

QANTAS B747-400 VH-OJU Operates Final Service.

Oct 13, 2019
QANTAS Boeing 747-438 VH-OJU operated its final passenger service early this evening as an additional Sydney – Los Angeles sector QF99 which was sold entirely to QANTAS Frequent Flyer members via points. This was the final QANTAS Boeing 747-400 service and leaves only the six Boeing 747-400ER aircraft in service.

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU retired

Pictures, story video

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...h-oju-retired/

[Noel White]

According to FlightAware, VH-OJU has just flown to Grant County International Airport in Washington State not far from where she was built and took it's first flight 19 years ago. Anybody know what her future is?

[James Smith]

MWH is Moses Lake where the newly constructed Boeings fly to on their first flight from Everett. OJU may meet her 100th anniversary cousin there in a few days.

[Adrian B]

Looks like off to Rolls Royce for a testbed aircraft according to News.com.au article

Australian airline Qantas has announced how their beloved 747 will enjoy retirement after 90,000 hours in the air as a commercial passenger plane and almost 100 return trips to the moon and back,

The Boeing 747-400, with the registration of VH-OJU Lord Howe Island, is the next of the airline’s now six remaining “original jumbo jets” to be phased out over the next 12 months.

But instead of being repurposed for parts, the 19-year-old plane will become a “testbed” for Rolls-Royce’s aerospace division to examine current engine technologies — paving the way for the future of how we fly by putting jet engines through their paces.

[Greg Hyde]

From QF Source

Withdrawn QANTAS B747-400 VH-OJU Positions to Moses Lake for Rolls Royce Test Bed Conversion.

Oct 15, 2019

Withdrawn QANTAS Boeing 747-438 VH-OJU positioned Los Angeles – Moses Lake as QF6021 this morning where it will undergo conversion into a flying testbed for Rolls Royce.