Getting close to a decade since John Travolta announced he was donating his stunning classic Boeing 707B Qantas aircraft back to Australia – it’s on its way.

Travolta owned and flew the plane for many years, having restored it into it’s original Qantas colours when he became an ambassador for Qantas back in the day.

But, as it aged, and life moved on, Travolta announced he would donate the plane to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) in Albion Park just outside of Wollongong in NSW.

It’s the same location where Qantas famously flew one of their last 747’s in for it’s final resting place – to be a tourist attraction a the museum.

Sadly, due to COVID and then issues with Corrosion on the aircraft plans to fly it back to Australia were scrapped – instead, the team have been working to get it back home in parts for re-assembly at the airfield in Albion Park.

This week, that all began to happen, with aircraft relocation specialists Worldwide Aircraft Recovery showcasing their team’s efforts to begin the transport of N707JT back home.

How long all that will take is unknown, but the team at HARS will then begin the painstaking job of re-assembly, with the hopes of one-day getting this bird walking again. She won’t fly, but they hope to see her taxi under her own power.

Travolta’s original donation announcement:

It gives me great pleasure to make this exciting historical announcement that my beloved Boeing 707 aircraft has been donated to the Historical Aircraft Restoration society (HARS) based in the town of Albion Park, approximately 90 miles (140 km) south of the city of Sydney in Australia.

As many of you will know, flying is a passion of mine and I  am just so grateful to be fortunate enough to count many hours flying such a beautiful aircraft.

The aircraft was originally delivered to Qantas Airways in 1964 and was converted for private use after it finished its life with “The Flying Kangaroo”.

I was honoured to have the 707 repainted in the original Qantas colours when I became the ambassador for the airline, and it’s so fitting that many of the volunteers at HARS are retired Qantas employees.

The aircraft currently requires a lot of work to be restored to a safe flying state and having seen first hand the dedication and passion of people at HARS, I have no doubt this beautiful and historical aircraft will be flying again.

HARS have an impressive track record of restoring historical aircraft and I have personally flown in a Super Constellation that they restored to flying condition from almost nothing.

I am hoping to be part of the crew to fly the aircraft to Australia, supported by well qualified and experienced pilots and engineers.

In making this announcement, I would like to mention the significant support given by the Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Shellharbour Community Bank Branches who as a local organization, have been very supportive of HARS’ efforts in aircraft restoration.

Thanks must also go to QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited Services for their significant support as well.

I am truly excited by this project and am just so pleased that this beautiful aircraft, for which I obviously have very fond memories, will continue to fly well into the future.