The Boeing 707 went into service in 1958 and grew out of the KC135 military tanker design for the USAF. Its genesis owes all to Boeing’s superior knowledge of military jet bomber design and its adaptation of the podded engines and swept wing of its highly successful Boeing B47 bomber to its airliner concepts. The rugged 707 was to become synonymous with the most advanced jet travel of the era. It cruised at 40,000ft at 600mph carrying around 200 passengers above the weather.Qantas was one of the early purchasers of the type and operated 36, including the early 707/138 model.

This dynamic painting of the the Qantas “V-Jet”,City of Parramata scorching its way through the clouds over Rome is a nostalgic reminder of those heady days.