The Congolese Government is set to take redelivery of its Presidential Boeing 707-138B (MSN 64 | 9Q-CLK) used by strongman Joseph Kabila for international flights. The aircraft is one of 13 unique aircraft built for Qantas (QF) in 1959 and is also a sister-ship to John Travolta's Boeing 707. |
| Joseph Kabila |
Acquired by the Congo Government in 1998, the aircraft's Congolese registration is derived from the initials of Laurent Kabila, Joseph Kabila's father, who was President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) until his assassination in January 2001.
For its interior refurbishment, the 707 was sent to FAAircraft Interiors & Exteriors at Lanseria, South Africa on 20 August 2007. Refurbishment was completed on 25 September 2007.
According to Lumain van Vuuren, General Manager Admin of FAAircraft, their staff worked around the clock for three weeks on the project. The owner had requested that the aircraft be given a distinctive African theme.
When the aircraft arrived, the cabin was finished in white vinyl and brown fabrics. The roof-lining was replaced with light cream suede, the bulkhead panels were given a snakeskin finish and the seats were recovered in pleated leather. The beige carpet was replaced with dark blue wool carpet and the interior refurbished in two tones of beige. The original gold coloured curtains were replaced with African themed fabrics. Metal fittings in the bathroom were gold-plated.
Source [707adastron]
Congolese Government B707 after refurbishment in Lanseria, South Africa September 2007.
(Pictures courtesy FAAircraft Interiors)
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| In old colours (Ian Malcolm www.afavia-fotos.co.za) |
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| Congolese Government 707 9Q-CLK in Lanseria |
In August 2010 the aircraft was flown to Miami for further overhaul, most notably for heavy maintenance to correct extensive corrosion found on the forward landing gear. She has now been repainted into her pseudo Dreamliner colours.
In Miami
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| (martin404a) |
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| Departing for Kinshasa on Sunday. |
Finally, she departed Miami on 27 January 2013 routed Miami-Natal-Accra-Kinshasa.
"The aircraft is kept in immaculate condition and mainly used for intercontinental flights for the President Joseph Kabila while his 727 is used mostly within Africa. The exception to this is when the 727 is undergoing heavy maintenance in which case the 707 does the job. Recent trips include Korea and India. Normally there are no more than 3-6 flights per year.
The aircraft is flown by HBA's (Hewa Bora Airways now flyCongo) most senior captains who normally fly 767s for HBA. These pilots have spent many years flying both pax and cargo 707s in Congo and around the world. The paint scheme is actually the colors for military aircraft from ex-President Mobutu's time in power however it was not re-registered 9T as other military aircraft were before."
Source [707adastron]