For true aviation enthusiasts, there are few things more rewarding as memorabilia than owning a piece of an aircraft (other than perhaps living in one). As Australian flag carrier Qantas prepares to modernize its widebody fleet with incoming Airbus A350-900s, the airline's aficionados are getting the chance to acquire pieces of an outgoing Airbus A330-200.

The aircraft in question is registered as VH-EBE and nicknamed Kangaroo Valley. It began its career as a passenger plane with Jetstar in 2007 before moving to the mainline carrier in 2015. However, with the current demand for airfreight, Qantas has decided to convert the jet for cargo operations.

As such, the airline took the opportunity to invite its frequent flyers and other enthusiasts to an open house at its Sydney Airport Hangar 96. The auction raised AU$16,300 (approximately US$11,330) for Qantas Pathfinders, a group of former airline employees that helps children with hearing or sight impairments and their families.

The conversion will be performed by EFW, an aerospace manufacturer that is based in Dresden, Germany, and a specialist joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering. It will involve stripping out the cabin (so selling parts of it off beforehand would also make the aircraft lighter and save some fuel on the way to Europe) and installing cargo doors and handling systems.

Fighting waste with memorabilia

Qantas Executive Manager of Freight, Catriona Larritt, said the auction was a fun way to offer enthusiasts their own piece of Qantas history, while simultaneously reducing waste. She commented,

"We're really pleased to give people this unique chance to own a piece of Qantas history and raise money for a great charity. It's also a nice way to highlight our commitment to minimizing waste as part of our sustainability focus."

Larritt continued on the service and new mission of VH-EBE, which, once converted, will be able to carry 50 tonnes of freight,

"Kangaroo Valley has done us proud by carrying millions of passengers safely around Australia, Asia and the Pacific for 15 years. In its new adventure as a dedicated freighter it will carry tonnes of imports and exports from fresh flowers and live seafood to thousands of e-commerce parcels and packages."

Photo: Tony Hisgett via Wikimedia Commons

Items on offer

According to Travel Weekly, items that were auctioned off (all prices in Australian dollars, which stood at about 0.691 to the US dollar at the time of writing):

• 2x business class seats – $3600
• 2x economy seats – $750
• 3x economy seats – $1100
• 4x economy seats – $850
• 1x cabin crew jump seat – $900
• Bar cart filled with alcohol and other onboard memorabilia – $2000
• PA Phone – $450
• Bathroom vanity and mirror – $450
• Exit sign $550
• Seat and row number 1A tag – $800
• Backpack made from recycled lifejacket – $600
• Satchel also made of lifejacket material – $550
• Lifejacket apron – $500
• Lifejacket oven gloves – $350
• 6x Safety cards – $50 each
• Premium economy A380 seats $1400

Would you have liked to own anything in particular from the A330? Or maybe another aircraft? Please let us know in the comments below.

Source: Travel Weekly