An Updated Look at The Qantas Founders Outback Museum (QFOM) at Longreach Airport

We blogged below about what Brisbane-based plane spotter and aviation enthusiast, Brandon G spotted at Longreach Airport during his recent visit, but we thought we'd also share some of his fantastic photos that he took while also the visiting the Qantas Founders Outback Museum (QFOM).

The Museum is only a stone's throw away from the Longreach Airport terminal building.

As we have posted previously, the list of attractions at the Museum is huge aircraft on display both inside and outside the Museum building including Boeing B747-200 VH-EBQ, Boeing B707 VH-XBA, Catalina VH-EBX, and DC-3 VH-EAP.

Visitors can also explore the original Qantas hangar which is also home to other smaller aircraft and displays.

One small issue the Museum has discovered is that the soil under the concrete slab of the B747-VH-EBQ's nosegear wasn't as stable as they first thought, and during the year, the concrete slab has started to sink.  This has resulted in the jumbo's nosegear sinking too. Fortunately though, the amount of damage is minor with the gear only sinking about a foot.

Unfortunately for visitors though, this has meant that all access and tours of the B747-VH-EBQ have been cancelled until further notice.  The QFOM have suggested that they will be getting cranes onsite in the next few weeks to help fix the problem.

In the meantime, Brandon took a tour of the B707-VH-XBA - which has now 'opened up' a lot more with visitors able to take more photos of the interior of this classic old aircraft.

Brandon even enjoyed a wing walk on the B707 - something that QFOM has introduced now that access to the B747 has been restricted.

The additional charges and access of the wing walk also enabled Brandon to take a closer look at the B707 flightdeck - an area that he reports in usually not open for visitors taking the 'normal' tour of the B707.

We thank Brandon for his photos of his recent visit to Longreach and to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum. The Museum is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm (except Christmas Day) and is located at Longreach Airport, Sir Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach, Qld, 4730.  The Museum website can be found HERE.