Construction completed as a Lockheed L-749-79-31 for Qantas - 1947

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

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd

Accepted by Qantas at Lockheed Burbank - October 4, 1947

Departed Burbank, California on delivery flight - October 10, 1947

Arrived Sydney at conclusion of delivery flight with Speedpak fitted - October 14, 1947

Flight crew: Capt E.C. Sims

Aircraft named 'Ross Smith'

Departed Sydney on proving flight to London (Capt R.J. Ritchie) - October 22, 1947

Rolled out at Sydney with 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Withdrawn from service for conversion to L-749A-79 standard - January 27, 1952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 final revenue service Sydney-London-Sydney - February 5, 1955

Sold to British Overseas Airways Corporation - February 9, 1955

Aircraft had flown 18,798 hours when sold

Entered onto U.K. Aircraft Register as G-ANUP - February 9, 1955

Registered to British Overseas Airways Corporation

Cancelled from Australian Aircraft Register - February 15, 1955

Departed Sydney on delivery flight to U.K. in Qantas livery as G-ANUP - February 16, 1955

Accepted by B.O.A.C. at London's Heathrow Airport - February 19, 1955

Aircraft named 'Branksome'

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

Operated final revenue service - September 14, 1957

Withdrawn from service and strored at Heathrow Airport - January 1958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 Austrian Aircraft Register as OE-IFO - May 1963

Cancelled from U.K. Aircraft Register - May 1, 1963

Ferried Heathrow-Luton on delivery to Aero Transport - May 6, 1963

Departed Luton on delivery 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 Austrian Aircraft Register - August 1964

Aircraft was badly damaged whilst landing at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - October 2, 1964

Veered off runway burying nose in soft mud causing extensive damage to airframe

The attempted go-round was made with engines in high blower setting causing multiple failures

One crew member died as a result of injuries sustained

Aircraft considered uneconomical to repair and scrapped

VH-EAA. Qantas Empire Airways - arriving on delivery at Sydney Airport, October 14, 1947.

VH-EAA. Qantas Empire Airways - arriving on delivery at Sydney Airport, October 14, 1947.

VH-EAA. Qantas Empire Airways - inspecting the Speedpak at London Airport, December 1947.

VH-EAA. Qantas - with the 'Coronation Service' titles at London Airport, 1953.

VH-EAA. Qantas - with the 'Coronation Service' titles at London Airport, 1953.

VH-EAA. Qantas - with the 'Coronation Service' titles at Sydney Airport, 1953.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - in the final livery over Sydney, September 1951.

VH-EAA. Qantas - the aircraft name plate rescued before the aircraft was sold.