The Mighty 747: Australia's Queen of the Skies

by Jim Eames

The world's most iconic commercial aircraft, the Boeing 747, and its Australian story.

'We have decided we must have the 747.' - Bert Ritchie, Qantas Chief Executive, 1967

From its first Qantas flight in 1971, the Boeing 747 flew millions of people to Australia, overseas for work, back to their homelands, on holiday and out of danger. For most Australians, the 747 was their first experience of international travel. And now, history's most iconic commercial aircraft is scheduled to be decommissioned around the world.

In this jet-set nostalgia journey, Jim Eames - bestselling author of The Flying Kangaroo and Courage in the Skies - tells us how the 747, a watershed in aviation technology, dramatically changed air travel, and recounts the high points of its life at Qantas, including the uplift out of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy, the return of the Diggers to Gallipoli and the evacuation of Australians from Wuhan. We discover how the 747 came in all shapes and sizes, eventually becoming the 747-400, which set a world distance record from London to Sydney. We also find out about the near misses and how close we have come to disaster on several occasions. And finally, we remember the 747's farewell to Australia, when it departed our skies for the last time in 2020.

The Mighty 747 is the jumbo's Australian story, and is woven with the humour and nostalgia of the people at Qantas who sold the 747 to Australia and who made it work on the ground and in the air.

'Jim Eames is a legend in the industry . . . It's hard to imagine anyone better placed to chart the history and insider stories of the jumbo jet . . . there's social history, wry anecdotes and nostalgia aplenty.' - Weekend Australian

'Jim Eames takes us on the journey of the Boeing 747, the plane that dominated international travel. A former leader in the airline that bet its (and Australia's) future on the 747s, Jim guides us through the jet's remarkable design, construction and operations that put Australia on the world's stage. The Mighty 747 is essential reading for every person who has an interest in aviation, and Jim's knowledge, experience and insights put him in the captain's seat to explain how Boeing, the 747 and Qantas changed the world.' - Captain Richard de Crespigny AM, Pilot-in-Command and author of QF32

'Terrific' Philip Clark, ABC Nightlife

'A love story about this wonderful plane and the impact it had on so many people's lives . . . some wonderful memories in here and some great stories as well.' - 2GB

'an insightful and contemporary view . . . Some stories are humorous and all are informative, each adding a piece to a half-century puzzle . . . it is about the people that made the aircraft mighty and therein lies the real soul of Australia's "Queen of the Skies".' - Airline Ratings

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a comprehensive nostalgic history of not only the 747 but also Qantas’ part in its development and how this plane changed the world of travel. I was amazed at the contributions of Australia on the 747. Pieces of Australian design wisdom were woven into that aircraft: suggestions that became active components and standard maintenance procedures. One particular invention was by Qantas operations safety superintendent Jack Grant. He combined the escape slide and the raft into one inflatable item. This emergency evacuation unit was adopted around the world by aviation authorities and won him an award.

The mighty 747 has a long history of international travel for the Australian people. Passengers on holidays heading to other countries for adventures and work trips made this plane a huge part of their plans for long distance transport. A vast variety of memories are wrapped up in this impressive aircraft, from the very start of its arrival in Australia and first Qantas flight in 1971. Jim provides many unforgettable stories that will keep the reader fascinated. Those who were around may remember, or at least recall where they were, when significant incidents occurred. He sheds light on the business and design dealings at Qantas with this aircraft and provides intriguing behind the scenes information that made this plane an icon.

Some of the 747 amazing features that stood out back in its day, even now astonish us. First, being the largest aircraft of its time in 1969. Then there is the noticeable queenly hump on its head that housed the cockpit and allowed the nose door to open for cargo loading. The later models of the 747 extended the huge hump to originally offer luxuries such as bars, lounges and restaurants which later became used for business or first class seating. The four giant engines made it slightly faster at the time. The 747 also became a worthy workhorse carrying 787 parts in its oversized cargo area used in a Dream Lifter design. And Nasa’s space shuttle flew on the 747, helping to advance the space age. Also, NASA sent the engines (JD9s) of a particular 747 aircraft to Sydney (Overhaul Centre) where they modified them to accommodate the space shuttle! This was a serious reliable plane when well maintained and fitted to a variety of purposes.

Aviation people hate to say goodbye to a plane they love or have had a great deal of history with. Having travelled often across the globe on the 747, it always filled me with a sense of wonder. Like most, I was awed by the sheer immense size of the aircraft, its engines and other aspects of it.

I recommend The Mighty 747 by Jim Eames as a very readable and thorough text. There is so much one could say about this plane’s history: its creation, development and uses. Plus, all the people who worked on it, with it or in it from the ground to the top. There are a fair number of perspectives offered in the book, including the businessmen, design engineers and pilots. Grab a copy if you are interested in this mighty aircraft that changed the face of air travel. 5 Stars.

Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my review copy.

[Kiarna Nibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story and anecdotes throughout the book and thought it gave great insight and depth to a story many don’t know.
I did sometimes struggle with the order of how the story was presented and felt at times it did jump around - often it would be linked by theme which worked well but occasionally a stand alone story from the 90’s would be followed by on from the 70’s. Other than that which I understand is hard to do I loved this book.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traces the development of the 747 from earlier aircraft and the history of its operation with QANTAS. A very simple, almost basic writing style, like reading off a list of events. Not my favourite author, but the subject made up for the writer's weaknesses.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite knowing a lot about the 747's history in Australia already, this was a great read filled with tidbit's that not even I knew of. It's a shame that we likely won't have the same connection with an aircraft again.

A must read for any Australian aviation enthusiast.