VH-EAF. Lockheed 1049E Constellation. c/n 4579.

 

This aircraft was built as a Lockheed L-1049E-55-118 - 1954

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAF - September 24, 1954

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney

First flown at Burbank - February 12, 1955

Accepted by Qantas Airways at Burbank - February 19, 1955

Departed Burbank, California on the delivery flight to Australia - February 20, 1955

It arrived at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on completion of the delivery flight - February 23, 1955

Delivery route: Burbank - Honolulu - Canton Island - Nadi - Sydney

The elapsed flight time was: 29 hours 15 minutes

This aircraft was named 'Southern Wind'

Operated its first revenue service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - London (Heathrow) - March 05, 1955

Operated a series of courtesy flights to New Zealand - October 02 to 08, 1955

Routes flown: Sydney - Auckland (6); Sydney - Wellington (3); Sydney - Christchurch (6)

Operated inaugural L-1049 Sydney (KIngsfoird Smith) - Hong Kong service (Captain R. F. Uren) - January 06, 1957

Withdrawn from service for 'A' check and fitment of weather radar - May 31, 1957

Returned to service - July 04, 1957

Operated the airline's last Constellation service to South Africa - April 13 - 19, 1963

Route: Sydney - Perth - Johannesburg - Perth - Sydney

Sold to Boeing - April 23, 1963

Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on the ferry flight to the United States - April 23, 1963

Flight crew: Captains A. Rayment, R. A. Pitt

Ferry route: Sydney - Nadi - Honolulu - San Francisco

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - April 25, 1963

Sold to California Airmotive Inc for spares - 1963

Scrapped - December 1964

 

 

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, January 07, 1957.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-139.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' the V.I.P. passengers on the inaugural service at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, January 07, 1957.

L to R: Sir Giles and Lady Chippendall; Sir Daniel and Lady McVey.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-111.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1958.

Australian actor John W. F. Goffage (Chips Rafferty) and family about to board their flight.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-076.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1958.

Australian actor John W. F. Goffage (Chips Rafferty) and family about to board their flight.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-077.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1958.

L to R: Captain unknow; First Office Sandy McPhee.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-118.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1958.

Inside the forward cabin looking aft.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-146.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Cocos Islands Airport, date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-073.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Perth Airport, circa 1960.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-157.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, April 13, 1963.

This was the final Sydney - South Africa Constellation service.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-186.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, April 13, 1963.

This was the final Sydney - South Africa Constellation service.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-158.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, April 13, 1963.

This was the final Sydney - South Africa Constellation service.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1802-187.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1802-265.)

VH-EAF. Qantas - 'Southern Wind' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1802-266.)