John Travolta Donates N707JT To Australian Museum

Actor John Travolta has donated his 707-138, N707JT "Jet Clipper Ella" (c/n 187840, l/n 388), to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at the Shellharbour Airport, New South Wales, Australia. The actor promised to donate the 707 to the HARS, and the plan was to fly it from Florida to Australia, but was not allowed due to regulatory challenges in ferrying the airliner. So it was taken apart, and the wings, engines and other parts have already been shipped. The fuselage is now set to travel via ship.

N707JT had made numerous stops at HNL, including times when it bore a Pan American-like livery, as Travolta's late wife, actress Kelly Preston, was born and raised in Honolulu. It used to park on the AirService Hawaii (now Atlantic Aviation) ramp.

Further information in this ABC Sydney report.

Omega Tanker's N707GF

Omega Tanker's 707-3K1C, N707GF (c/n 20804, l/n 883) is making a stop at HNL from RIV as OME77.

20804's History:

May 1974: Delivered to TAROM (Transporturi Aeriene Romana Sovietica) as YR-ABB.

Jun 1976: Transferred to the Romanian Government as the Prime Minister's VIP transport.

Jly 1990: Transferred to LAR (Linile Aerien Romane).

Nov 1990: Leased to Trans Caribbean Airlines for two months.

Oct 1991: Leased to Suriname TCA for four months.

Feb 1992: Transferred to Romavia.

Feb 1995: Leased to Aero Asia International [Pakistan] for three months.

May 1995: Transferred back to the Romanian Government, and named "Carpati".

Sep 2012: Acquired by Omega Tanker as N707GF.

Omega Tanker's N707MQ

Omega Tanker's 707-368C, N707MQ (c/n 23168, l/n 925), is making a stop at HNL. It's being parked on Taxiway RH during its stay.

17 Aug 21 UPDATE

N707MQ departed today.

Omega Tanker's N707MQ

Omega Tanker's 707-368C, N707MQ (c/n 23168, l/n 925), is being deployed to HNL, to participate in the 2018 RIMPAC naval and air exercise. It arrived from SBD as OME71.

Omega Air Tanker's N707MQ

Omega Air Tanker's N707MQ (c/n 21368, l/n 925) is participating in this year's RIMPAC exercise, refueling US Navy and US Marine Corps aircraft. The 707-368C is flying as OMEGA71, and arrived from NKX [Miramar MCAS, San Diego, CA] on the 23rd.

N88ZL

The February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to April 2004, with N88ZL (c/n 18928, l/n 457), a 707-330B, owned by Lowa Ltd., that paid a visit on HNL's South Ramp.

18928 was originally purchased by Lufthansa, and was delivered in December 1965 as D-ABUF "Hanover". From April 1978 to February 1981, Lufthansa leased this 707 to its subsidiary Condor Flugdienst. In March 1985, it's current owner, Lowa Ltd., purchased 18928, and had it re-configured to a VIP interior, as well as registering it as N88ZL. Since this 707 has been with Lowa, it has been through four different liveries. The first was from 1985 until the late 1990s. With its second livery (which lasted only a few years), also came the hush-hitted JT3Ds (as seen above). The third livery (above), lasted from about 2003 until 2011. N88ZL has been parked at OPF since late 2011, and painted in its fourth livery.

This 707-330B has been used as a concert tour charter for music acts like Pearl Jam, Bryan Adams, Beyoncé, and Bo Jovi.

Omega Tanker's N707MQ

One of Omega Tanker's 707-300s is in town in support of the 2012 RIMPAC naval exercise. N707MQ (c/n 21368, l/n 925) has been working out of the North Ramp. This 707-368C is seen above departing Runway 8R as "Omega11Heavy" for a refueling sortie.

Omega's N624RH

Omega Air Tanker's N624RH (c/n 19624, l/n 689), a former Qantas Airways and Royal Australian Air Force 707-338C, made a stop at HNL last night, and departed for RAAFB Amberley [YAMB] (above) this morning.

This 707-338C stopped through last October, as it was transiting from Australia to Omega's base in San Antonio, TX, still in its RAAF colors.

John Travolta's N707JT

This past Sunday (11/20/11), John Travolta arrived in his 707-138B. After spending a few days in Hawaii, N707JT (c/n 18740, l/n 388) departed this evening.

Ex-RAAF 707-338Cs

Earlier this week, two ex-Royal Australian Air Force 707-338Cs arrived from Pago Pago Pago (PPG/NSTU), after coming out of storage at Richmond, New South Wales, Australia (RCM/YSRI). N624RH (c/n 19624, l/n 689) and N629RH (c/n 19629, l/n 737) were registered as A20-624 and A20-629, respectively. Note that N624RH [top photo] still has special tail markings commemorating the 707's 29 years of service with the RAAF. Omega Air Tankers recently brought three 707-300s from the RAAF. N623RH (c/n 19623, l/n 671) [A20-623] should be leaving Richmond any time now.

All of the three 707-338Cs were with Qantas before they were acquired by the RAAF. A20-623 was VH-EAC, A20-624 was VH-EAD, and A20-629 was VH-EAI.

Kalair USA's N707KS

Our September edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 1996, when this Kalair USA 707-321B, N707KS (c/n 20025, l/n 780), made a stop at HNL. It's seen above on the South Ramp being serviced by the now-defunct Circle Rainbow Air.

20025 was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways as N886PA, named "Clipper Sea Lark", in January 1969. In April 1983, N886PA was leased to Global International Airways, but repossessed five months later. In July 1984, Falcon Aircraft Conversions acquired the 707, and registered as N728Q. Its interior was converted to an executive transport configuration, and its JT3Ds were fitted with hush-kits. It was leased to Skystar International in March 1985, and to Independent Air in July 1987. Kalair USA then acquired N728Q in August 1989, and registered it as N707KS in May 1992. British Columbia Management acquired it in October 2000, and registered as D2-MAN, where it became a government transport of the Republique de Angola. It's not known if this 707 is still flying for the Angolan Government.

Omega Tanker's N707AR

One of the two Omega 707-300 Tankers crashed today at NTD (NAS Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, CA). N707AR (c/n 20029 l/n 790), their 707-321B, crashed on its take-off roll this afternoon. Thankfully, all three crew members escaped the classic Boeing before flames enveloped the airframe.

It was initially reported that N707MQ in various media circles was the 707-300B involved, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated in their preliminary report that it was N707AR.

20029/790 was originally delivered to Pan American Airways (PA/PAA) in March 1969 as N892PA, named "Clipper Star King". In March 1983, it was leased to Global International Airlines, and re-posessed six months later. In May 1984, it was acquired by Falcon Aircraft Conversions, and re-registered as N729Q, where it was leased to Skystar International (June 86 - June 87), National Express (June 87 - June 88), and PLUNA (June 88 - June 95). JARO, a Hungarian airline, acquired it in June 95, and registered it as EL-AKS. Finally, it was sold to Omega Tanker in June 96, and registered as N707AR, and modified as a drogue-type aerial refueler, that was commonly seen accompanying US Navy and US Marine fighter aircraft.

On a personal note, I was privileged to take a tour of N707AR, back in November 2004, when it was parked on Hard Stand A (South Ramp). The above photo was taken before we boarded the 707. Except for the drogue release port and the hush-kitted JT3Ds, it looked like a 707 from back-in-the-day. The interior had been re-fitted with the '70s-'80s style overhead bins, and most of the coach seats were removed, though a several first class seats were still there. It was definitely a "chicken-skin" moment to set foot on a 707 again after 32 years after my first flight as a nine-year-old, too bad we weren't able to go up with it while it was here ...

Article by NYC Aviation.

Omega Tanker's N707AR

Omega Tanker's N707AR (c/n 20079, l/n 790), a 707-321B, made an appearance at HNL yesterday, and is seen above rotating on Runway 8R this morning as "OMEGA70", destination unknown.

Travolta's 707-138B

What a way to end the week! Three private "Heavies" where seen this weekend. John Travolta's N707JT (c/n 18740/388) joined the "Google Jet" and the 747SP this morning at the North hardstands.

Rare Boeing Lineup At HNL

With the Omega Tanker 707-368, N707MQ (c/n 21368) on HNL's north ramp over the past few days, all of the Boeing 7_7 series can be seen at HNL.

Today's line-up:
707: Omega Air Tanker
717: Hawaiian
727: Asia Pacific
737: Aloha Air Cargo, Continental, WestJet, and Alaska
747: Japan, China, Delta, and Kalitta
757: American, Omni, US Airways, United, Delta, and Continental
767: Hawaiian, United, American, Japan, Delta, Continental, and Qantas
777: ANA and United

What would be really cool, that HNL replicate the line up at BFI.


N707MQ was delivered to Saudia in 1977 as HZ-ACK. It was then moved to the Saudi Arabian Royal Flight as HZ-HM3. It wore both the original jet fleet livery, and the current Saudi Arabian livery.


Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

Other things seen around HNL tonight

While driving around the ramp tonight, there were a couple of interesting aircraft here.

Top picture: Parked on the hardstands was an Omega Tanker 707-368C, N707MQ.

Middle picture: A Northwest 757-351 (N590NW) at Gate 16 painted in Delta colors just before departing as NW622 to LAX. Sorry for the horrible shot with the jet bridge in the way, but Northwest was setup and waiting for another Northwest flight that was taxiing in at the time.

Bottom picture: A Continental 737-824 (N73278) at Gate 12 getting ready to depart as CO12 to LAX. This flight is supposed to be a 737-900ER, but issues with using pre-recorded video on the LiveTV system has made Continental down gauge the flight to a -800 until the issues are sorted out. There is no LiveTV satellite coverage in the Pacific between Hawaii and the West Coast, so pre-recorded videos need to be used to provide the IFE on these flights.

N88ZL

N88ZL, the 707-330B owned by LOWA Ltd, made a tech stop at HNL early this morning. According to some reports, the classic Boeing was carrying pop star Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z, who were on their way to MEL to perform a concert there.

This Week's Blast From the Past

HNL had a wonderful open air concourse just above the central gates and garden area fronting the old control tower. From this viewing deck, passengers and visitors to the airport could spend the time watching aircraft arriving and departing. It was a great location to get that first view of a loved one, or the last chance to literally wave goodbye as passengers climbed the stairs onto their Pan Am 707, United DC-8, BOAC VC-10 or a Western 707. In the photo are two Pan American 707's, one of which is N408PA Clipper Morning Star. In the distance you see a BOAC 707 taxiing as well as a Japan Airlines DC-8 climbing off of runway 8. Click the image for a larger size.

RAAF 707-338C

This Royal Australian Air Force 707, A20-623, arrived from Fiji today. It was also seen here last month on March 3rd. In the background is the AQ 737-200 with no titles and in the ex-Hooters livery climbing out after taking off.

Royal Australian Air Force 707

Here's one of the RAAF's 707s, A20-623, parked on the North Ramp. This aircraft started out as a Qantas 707-338C, VH-EAC, delivered in 1968. It also flew for BCAL (UK), Ontario Worldair (Canada), and Worldways (Canada). The RAAF got this aircraft from Worldways after its last flight in 1983.