VH-VBU. Boeing 737-76Q. c/n 30288-1322.

Was also registered as: N488AC.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by Boullioun Aviation Services Inc - ?

Rolled off Boeing production line at Seattle - April 23, 2003

First flown as VH-VBU - May 02, 2003

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B26 engines

The aircraft was fitted with winglets

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd - May 2003

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VBU - May 12, 2003

Registered to Boullioun Aviation Services Incorporated

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Accepted by Boullioun Aviation Services at Seattle (Boeing Field) - May 15, 2003

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the ferry flight to Christchurch, New Zealand - May 17, 2003

Arrived Christchuch on completion of the ferry flight - May 17, 2003

Delivery route: Seattle - Kahului - Pago Pago - Christchurch

Ferried Christchurch - Brisbane on delivery to Virgin Blue as DJ9081 - May 25, 2003

The aircraft was named 'Darwin Diva'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Mackay as DJ919 - May 28, 2003

Registered to ACG Acquisition 30288 LLC, Newport, California

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Virgin Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd - May 04, 2011

Operated its final revenue service Cairns - Brisbane as VA786 - April 04, 2013

Withdrawn from service and prepared for return to the lessor

Ferried Brisbane - Kuala Lumpur (Subang) for end-of-lease maintenance as VA9943 - April 07, 2013

Departed Kuala Lumpur (Subang) on the ferry flight to the United States - May 17, 2013

Arrived Victorville for return to the lessor and storage - May 18, 2013

Ferry route: Kuala Lumpur - Guam - Honolulu - Victorville

Sold by Aviation Capital Acquisitions 30288 LLC to WFBN - May 19, 2013

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - May 21, 2013

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N488AC - May 21, 2013

Registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee, Salt Lake City

The intended lease to Aerolineas Argentinas did not eventuate

The aircraft remained stored at Victorville - May 2013

 

 

VH-VBU. Virgin Blue - 'Darwin Diva' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, January 2004.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4620-156.)

VH-VBU. Virgin Blue - 'Darwin Diva' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 22, 2005.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 4622-693.)

VH-VBU. Virgin Blue - 'Darwin Diva' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, November 13, 2011.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4622-625.)