Qantas 707 @ Southend – 8/12/06

Hey everyone!

I made the trip to Southend yesterday to see the very long awaited departure of VH-XBA. What a sight it was to see that glorious old gal up in the air, and the sound of her on take off was superb! Such a great noise.

My day started at 5:30am! I got up, headed over to pick up my mate at 6 and then off to southend. The driving conditions on the M25 coming up from Surrey were atrocious!

I got there a little bit too early – arriving by 7:20. The airport was dead at this time, with just to one early morning arrival of a Danish Air Transport Beech B90.

Southend at 7:20 in the morning.

I decided to have a sneak peak around the airport, heading over Aviation way round the back, where i saw the long time BA Atp residents and a lone Easyjet 737. At around 7:40 i headed back over towards the Vulcan, and parked up for the morning. I was one of the first there, but other soon arrived. There was quite a good turn out to see her off, depsite the crappy weather.

As you can see there were a few people there – with alot more the other side of me.

The only downside apart from the weather was the horrible new fence which has been erected… unless your willing to take a pair of step ladders or a stool with you, you’ll end up with some naff pics, just like some of mine!

Whilst waiting i took a wander up the road to snapp these few bits…. apologies for the fence – my lense wouldn’t fit in the gaps.

I guess this one is the new “longest” term resident now? – or one of them.

I see this one finally has a new owner?

This Atlas Jet 757 sat right next to the road, bearing alot of bodywork patches on the fuselage.

Also in the mix out on the apron was this Astraeus 737.

One of the 6 146’s on the ground… any ideas where this one’s off to?

See what i mean about that new fence! 🙁

Finally at 9:15am, 45 minutes later than it was meant to, Bravo Alpha pushed back, started up and headed out to the runway to take off from Southend one last time.

Seen here passing through the “crowd”.

Air Livery and ATC Lasham have done a stunning job on this old girl!

Heading down to the holding point…

Blasting down the runway….

Leaving Southend and the rainy UK behind…

But, not before doing one final fast and low fly past over the airport.

Hope you all enjoyed the photos, and my apologies for the quality once again – yesterday really was not a great day for photography.

Laters all! 🙂