The small ceremony was held at the gate prior to the departure of QF 73 to San Francisco. A cake, bearing the same design as the TV monitor screen, was cut by Val St Leon, a QF Boeing 707 captain of the time. He is accompanied by Alan Joyce, CEO, and some "hostesses" wearing uniforms of the period. Copyright Photo: John Adlard.
Monitors at QF check-in counters carried this "Celebrating 50" message. (John Adlard)
Pictured in the 1959 colors, Boeing 707-138 N31239 (msn 17696) "City of Melbourne" is pictured on a test flight prior to delivery on July 16, 1959 as VH-EBA. VH-EBB (msn 17697) actually arrived first on June 26, 1959. (Boeing)
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) today (July 29) is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its first jet flight. On July 29, 1959 Boeing 707-138 VH-EBC departed Sydney bound for San Francisco as flight EM 774 via Nadi and Honolulu. The flight was performed in 14 hours and 15 minutes, setting a new record. Congratulations QF!
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/Qantas-Marks-50-Years-of-the-bw-316865075.html?x=0&.v=1