After years of logistical setbacks, millions of dollars in repairs and false starts, John Travolta’s luxury jet is officially on its way to Australia.
The movie star first announced he would donate the plane to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) almost a decade ago.
The former Qantas ambassador purchased the Boeing 707, gave it Qantas livery and fitted out a luxury interior that includes two bedrooms, a bathroom and entertaining areas.
Despite being in excellent condition, airworthiness restrictions meant members of Shellharbour’s HARS were unable to fly it to Australia.
Instead, the plane was dismantled and sent by ship.
Bob De La Hunty says it was cheaper and safer to transport the plane by ship. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
“We probably could’ve taken off and flown it to Australia and been arrested when we landed here, so we thought we better not,” HARS president Bob De La Hunty said.
“We decided the most safe and practical way to do it was the big jigsaw puzzle, and that was the answer to those very expensive problems.”
While the engines and small parts have already been shipped to HARS, the fuselage and wings have now been loaded onto a ship at Brunswick, Georgia, where the plane has been stationed.
John Travolta talks to media in front of the Connie aircraft at Shellharbour Airport in November 2019. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
When will the plane arrive?
The dismantled 707 is due to arrive at Port Kembla on May 9.
Once cleared by customs, it will take a short 15-kilometre drive to HARS at Shellharbour Airport by truck.
The journey will most likely be in the middle of the night due to traffic disruptions, and some fencing will need to be removed from the airport to allow the aircraft to get in.
“It will then be craned off, and that will be before the Wings Over Shellharbour Airshow the following week, so the public will be able to see quite a construction going on,” Mr De La Hunty said.
“There are 4,800 bolts that came out that need to go back in.”Taxi rides to give insight into life of rich and famous
Once the plane is rebuilt, Travolta has committed to being in Shellharbour for the official unveiling.
The intention is to bring the aircraft up to a standard where it can be taxied around the Shellharbour Airport tarmac for tourists.
The Boeing 707 has been stationed at an airport in Georgia since being moved from Travolta’s property. (Supplied: Worldwide Aircraft Recovery)
“Another future generation of fanatics like me might try and get it back in the air, but we’ll have it so we can take people around in it,” Mr De La Hunty said.
“The interior is very expensive, and it’s an example of what the rich and famous do to fly aircraft around the world with accommodation and entertainment areas.
“When John took us through the aircraft, he said Barbara Streisand sat there, and Frank Sinatra sat there when he owned the aircraft, so there’s a huge amount of history for the visitors to Shellharbour.”US crew thrilled to be part of ‘monumental relocation’
The plane has been painstakingly dismantled and moved by a small team of aviation enthusiasts in Georgia.
The crew spent 60 days disassembling the aircraft to be transported this week.
The fuselage in Georgia has been dismantled by a small crew of three aviation enthusiasts. (Supplied: Worldwide Aircraft Recovery)
“Being involved in such a monumental relocation has been amazing,” Worldwide Aircraft Recovery member Jay Penry said.
“We are just a small company doing extremely large things, but all three of us love saving aviation history.
“Saving aviation is our passion, and we are glad that we were able to be a part of this amazing move.”