VH-VBX. Boeing 737-705. c/n 29092-260.

Was also registered as: LN-TUG; B-5092.

 

 

This aircraft was ordered new by Babcock and Brown Aircraft Management - ?

Rolled off Boeing production line at Renton - April 01, 1999

First flown as 'LN-TUG' - April 21, 1999

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B24 engines

This aircraft was not fitted with winglets

Entered onto Norwegian Aircraft Register as LN-TUG - May 07, 1999

Registered to Braathens A.S.A.

Delivered to Braathens A.S.A. - May 07, 1999

The aircraft was named 'Ingerid Svensdatter'

It was observed stored at Stavanger in the basic 'Braathens' livery without titles - July 25, 2002

Returned to Babcock and Brown Aircraft Management - June 2003

Test flown at Stavenger in the standard 'Virgin Blue' livery as LN-TUG - July 10, 2003

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VBX - July 23, 2003

Registered to Babcock and Brown Aircraft Management

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Ferried Christchurch - Brisbane on delivery to Virgin Blue as DJ9083 - August 22, 2003

The aircraft was named 'Sultry Sapphire'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Adelaide (West Beach) as DJ750 - September 05, 2003

Operated its last revenue service Cairns - Brisbane as DJ847 - October 21, 2004

Returned to Babcock and Brown Aircraft Management - October 21, 2004

Ferried Brisbane - Christchurch for end-of-lease maintenance as DJ9072 - October 21, 2004

It was observed at Christchurch in 'Chang An Airlines' livery as 'VH-VBX' - November 28, 2004

Cancelled from Australian Aircraft Register - November 30, 2004

Leased to Hainan Airlines then sub-leased to Chang An Airlines - November 30, 2004

Entered onto Chinese Aircraft Register as B-5092 - November 30, 2004

Ferried Christchurch - Cairns en route to Guanzhou - Xian - December 01, 2004

Lucky Air became a Hainan Airlines subsidiary - November 09, 2007

Leased to Lucky Airlines as the registered operator - July 06, 2008

Operated its final revenue service - ?

Ferried Moscow - Kemble on return to the lessor - November 26, 2012

It was observed at Kemble with engine and other airframe parts missing - April 04, 2013

Scrapped at Kemble - 2013

 

 

LN-TUG. Braathens - 'Ingerid Svensdatter' in the standard livery at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, January 2002.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4621-857.)

LN-TUG. Virgin Blue - 'Sultry Sapphire' in the standard livery at Stavenger Airport, July 2003.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4623-261.)

VH-VBX. Virgin Blue - 'Sultry Sapphire' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, August 2004.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-553.)

VH-VBX. Chang An Airlines - in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, November 2004.

(Z. Rae Copyright Image 4621-620.)

B-5092. Chang An Airlines - in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, December 2004.

(G. Reid Copyright Image 4622-585.)