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VH-TBR. Boeing 727-276A. c/n 22069-1661. Was also registered as: XA-SIE. |
This aircraft was the last of twelve Boeing 727-200s ordered new by Trans-Australia Airlines - December 1970 The delivery of these aircraft was spread over an eight year period It was rolled out at Seattle (Renton) - August 18, 1980 First flown - September 06, 1980 Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TBR - September 19, 1980 The Australian Government had announced the introduction of direct jet services between Hobart (Tasmania) and Christchurch (New Zealand) - July 09, 1980 As a 'flag waving' exercise VH-TBR was routed via Christchurch on the delivery flight Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to Australia - September 21, 1980 It arrived at Christchurch and over-nighted - September 22, 1980 It arrived at Melbourne (Tullamarine at 16:10 local) on completion of the delivery flight - September 23, 1980 Delivery route: Seattle - Honolulu - Pago Pago - Christchurch - Melbourne The aircraft was named 'Bert Hinkler' It operated its first revenue service - September 26, 1980 It operated its last service in the original livery - August 03, 1983 Rolled out at Melbourne (Tullamarine) in the 'camel-hump' livery - August 29, 1983 Returned to service - September 02, 1983 Trans-Australia Airlines (T.A.A.) was renamed Australian Airlines - August 04, 1986 Rolled out at Melbourne (Tullamarine) in the 'Australian Airlines' livery - February 12, 1988 Returned to service - February 13, 1988 Ownership was transferred to Australian Airlines - July 11, 1988 Operated final revenue service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as TN403 - December 31, 1992 It was under the command of Captain T. D. Wiltshire (General Manager, Flight Operations) Withdrawn from use and stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) It had flown 35,013 hours with 24,283 cycles This was the last Boeing 727 in service with Australian Airlines Departed Melbourne (Tullamarine) on the ferry flight to the United States as TN6999 - March 24, 1993 Ferry route: Melbourne - Nadi - Apia - Honolulu - Dallas Sold to Extex International - March 26, 1993 Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - April 13, 1993 Sold to Aeroejecuvitos SA de CV t/a Aeroexo, Mexico - April 13, 1993 Entered onto the Mexican aircraft Register as XA-SIE - April 13, 1993 Leased to Aviacsa, Monterrey, Mexico - December 1994 Withdrawn from service and returned to Aeroexo - June 1995 It was observed stored at Houston, Texas - August 1995 Returned to service and leased to Aviacsa - October 13, 2000 It was observed fitted with winglets - September 29, 2003 Withdrawn from service by Aviacesa at Monterrey, Mexico - February 2006 Repossessed by Aeroexo - April 2006 Aircraft remained stored at Monterrey, Mexico The wings were removed and the fuselage was partially broken up at Monterrey - July 2009 Part of the fuselage was used as a cabin trainer Cancelled from the Mexican Aircraft Register - ? |
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VH-TBR. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 1980. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4610-377.) |
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VH-TBR. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 1980. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4610-384.) |
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VH-TBR. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 1980. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4610-378.) |
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VH-TBR. TAA Trans Australia - 'Bert Hinkler' in the 'camel-hump' livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, September 1985. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4610-379.) |
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VH-TBR. TAA Trans Australia - 'Bert Hinkler' in the 'camel-hump' livery with additional 'Americas Cup' decal at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, September 1985. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4610-380.) |
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VH-TBR. Australian - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, April 1989. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-381.) |
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VH-TBR. Australian - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, September 1990. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-097.) |
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VH-TBR. Australian - 'Bert Hinkler' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-096.) |
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VH-TBR. Australian - in the basic livery at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, March 20, 1993. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-382.) |
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XA-SIE. AeroExo - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, October 1995. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-219.) |
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XA-SIE. Aviacsa - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, June 1999. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-383.) |
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XA-SIE. Aviacsa - in the final livery at an unknown airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4610-220.) |