SHEPS MOUND - SYDNEY AIRPORT - 17-9-2017

 

SHEP'S MOUND — BEFORE BREAKFAST,

 BECAUSE IT REPLACES HAVING A LIFE.

September had arrived, which meant our early morning plane spotting adventures at Sydney Airport were becoming slightly less like an Antarctic expedition, couple with finbgers so frozen that just writing sighting notes was near flamin impossible. The mornings were a little warmer than some of our winter efforts, so Tezza Cassidy and I headed off to Shep's Mound for another session of standing around in the early hours waiting for aeroplanes to come or rack off.

Shep's Mound, beside Ross Smith Avenue at Sydney Airport, has long been a favourite gathering point for Sydney's plane spotters. Originally known as the Tower Mound, it was renamed in honour of Bruce "Shep" Shepherd, a much-loved member of the Sydney aviation community who passed away in 2005. The site was later upgraded with proper viewing platforms and facilities, because apparently plane spotters finally deserved something slightly more sophisticated than a patch of grass and a fence. They would however like to have a dunny as well :-)

Looking back at these photographs, it's amazing how quickly things change. The Boeing 717s have disappeared from the Sydney scene, while the mighty Boeing 747s have also departed, taking with them a considerable chunk of the noise, size and those sights that sort of made it all far more entertaining for myself.

So, this is a another look back at one of those early morning sessions with Tezza, featuring aircraft that were once fairly routine visitors but are now part of the photographic history of Sydney Airport.

We'll also have a look at where each aircraft ended up, where that information is known.

Yeah photographing aeroplanes wasn't enough — now we have to track down what happened to them afterwards as well.

Seriously, for some of us, that is classed as fun.

Such is the exciting life of a Semi-Retired Foamer.

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VH-VPI - Virgin Australia - ATR 72

Now with Aer Lingus Regional (Ireland). 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VGY - Jetstar - A320-232

Still with Jetstar. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-XUG- Tigerair Australia - A320-232

Now with Super Air Jet (Indonesia) but parked. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-LQB - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-402NG. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VWX - Jetstar - A321-231. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VWX - Jetstar - A320-232. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

VH-YQY - QANTASLink - A717-2K9. 

Retired in 2024 and ferried to Victorville (USA) for disposal.

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VUV - Virgin Australia - B737-8FE. 

To REX 2021 as VH-PAG.

Currently stored with Aero Capital Solutions (USA)

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-YFK - Virgin Australia - B737-8FE. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-SBG - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-315Q. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

ZK-OJN - Air New Zealand - A320-232. 

Now with Eurowings (Germany) as 9H-AML.

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-SBJ - QANTASLink - Bombardier DHC-8-315Q. 

Withdrawn 2025 and sent to Alice Springs to await disposal.

Now with Great North Airlines (Canada).

Photo: Brad Peadon

B-5968 - China Eastern - A330-200 

Currently parked.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A6-EEQ - Emirates - A380-800. 

'United For Wildlife' livery.

Photo: Brad Peadon

JA862J - Japan Airlines - B787-9. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

B-5951 - China Southern - A330-300. 

Stored in China 2026.

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VND - Tigerair Australia - A320-232

Now with Virgin Australia. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Tweetie - Magpie Australia - M100

Now likely deceased. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

B-HLS - Cathay Pacific - A330-300

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below

VH-OJU - QANTAS - A330-300

Broken up in 2023.

Photos: Brad Peadon

VH-VYG - QANTAS - B737-838

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

VN-A871 - Vietnam Airlines - B787-9

Photos: Brad Peadon

B-6533 - Air China - A330-200 

Now with Uzbekistan Airways

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and three below.

HL-7636 - Korean Air - B747-8

2016: Entered service.

2025: Withdrawn and stored.

Due to go to the US Air Force.

Photos: Brad Peadon

VH-XZH - QANTAS - B737-838

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VZU - QANTAS - B737-838

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

9V-SWS - Singapore Airlines - B777-300ER

Photo: Brad Peadon

RP-C8764 - Philippine Airlines - A330-300

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-VYA - QANTAS - B737-838

Photo: Brad Peadon

VH-OEI - QANTAS - B737-838

Stored Mojave USA 2020

Photo: Brad Peadon

 

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All those with me on these various occasions.

Terence 'Nipples' Cassidy, Bradly Coulter, Tom & Pam Vose, Daven Walters, and Virl Virls..

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