This aircraft was completed as a Lockheed L-749-79-31 for Qantas Airways - 1947

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAA - March 10, 1947

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney

Accepted by Qantas at Lockheed Burbank - October 04, 1947

Departed Burbank, California on the delivery flight to Australia - October 10, 1947

It arrived at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on conmpletion of the delivery flight with 'Speedpak' fitted - October 14, 1947

Flight crew: Captain E. C. Sims

The aircraft was named 'Ross Smith'

Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on a proving flight to London (Captain R. J. Ritchie) - October 22, 1947

It was rolled out at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) with a red cheatline and white cabin roof - August 29, 1951

Withdrawn from service for conversion to L-749A-79 standard - January 27, 1952

Returned to service - March 28, 1952

Utilised on the 'Royal Tour' flying Sydney - Brisbane - Townsville - Sydney - March 1954

Departed on its final revenue service Sydney - London - Sydney - February 05, 1955

Sold to British Overseas Airways Corporation - February 09, 1955

The aircraft had flown 18,798 hours when sold

Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-ANUP (Cof R G-ANUP/R1) - February 09, 1955

Registered to British Overseas Airways Corporation, London

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - February 15, 1955

Departed Sydney on the ferry flight to the United Kingdom in the 'Qantas' livery - February 16, 1955

It was accepted by B.O.A.C. at London (Heathrow) Airport - February 19, 1955

The aircraft was named 'Branksome'

Entered service in a 60 seat tourist configuration - May 17, 1955

Operated its final revenue service - September 14, 1957

Withdrawn from service and strored at London (Heathrow) - January 1958

Leased to Skyways Ltd in a 65 seat tourist configuration - September 1959

Fitted with large rear cargo door by Lockheed Aircraft Service - July 1961

Returned to B.O.A.C. - April 1962

Sold to Aero Transport, Austria - April 1962

Entered onto the Austrian Aircraft Register as OE-IFO - May 1963

Cancelled from the British Aircraft Register - May 01, 1963

Ferried Kondon (Heathrow) - London (Luton) on delivery to Aero Transport - May 06, 1963

Departed Luton on the ferry flight to Vienna, Austria - May 10, 1963

Transferred to Interocean Airways, Luxembourg when Aero Transport ceased operations - June 1964

Entered onto Luxembourg Aircraft Register as LX-IOK - July 1964

Registered to Interocean Airways Ltd

Cancelled from the Austrian Aircraft Register - August 1964

The aircraft was badly damaged whilst landing at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - October 02, 1964

It veered off the runway burying its nose into soft mud causing extensive damage to the airframe

The attempted go-round had been made with the engines in a 'high blower setting' which caused multiple failures

One crew member died as a result of the injuries sustained

The aircraft was considered uneconomical to repair and was scrapped