This model of the L-1011 TriStar has been painted in a Qantas livery which was introduced with the arrival of the first Boeing 747 in 1971. It suggests a progression in Lockheed's efforts to sell the TriStar to Qantas. It has been claimed that Qantas was on the verge of ordering TriStars, ostensibly to serve Wellington, when Lockheed terminated production. Although no documentary evidence of a potential Qantas TriStar order has come to light, photographs held in the Qantas Heritage Collection confirm that Qantas executives visited the TriStar production line at Palmdale on 4 August 1970, 30 May 1973 and 6 January 1976. Qantas personnel in the photographs include Bob Walker (Technical Development Manager), Phil Howson (Deputy General Manager Technical) and Tony Foster (Director Commercial Services). The compiler also visited the TriStar assembly line at Palmdale on 18 September 1980 but it is considered unlikely that his presence had any bearing on the outcome! As will be seen from the following timeline, Qantas placed orders for the Boeing 747SP almost two years before it was announced that TriStar production would cease. Indeed, the first Qantas 747SP entered service on trans-Tasman flights to Wellington in early February 1981, nine months before Lockheed's announcement. This would appear to cast doubt on the rumoured Qantas intention to order TriStars.

Picture: Qantas Heritage Collection/Colin Lock