BOEING 727-200 (VH-TBN)

Adelaide didn't have an International airport until the mid 1980's. This is the old domestic part of the airport at West Beach. TAA was the government airline in competition with Ansett. The two airline system operated for many years in Australia. TAA eventually changed its name to Australian Airlines and color scheme and was then taken over by QANTAS as they only flew the International route and no domestic routes in Australia. Its was only when the new Adelaide Airport was opened did we have aero bridges to board planes this didn't happen until the early 2000's until then you boarded walking across the tarmac rain hail or shine.

Nice shot of B722 VH-TBN in a classic livery. I love boarding an airliner when there is no jetway/aerobridge. As a pilot it almost feels like you are getting the chance to do a preflight. Well, at least an abbreviated one anyway...

I well remember being directed across the tarmac to the rear loading stairs of the B727 and also DC-9s back in the day. It was a bit surreal walking to the rear of the aircraft and climbing those stairs. You felt like you were climbing up into a military aircraft or a UFO of sorts. Wonderful days! No way it would happen in these fully-monitored and controlled times!