Description & Facts: Qantas Chairman Margaret Jackson AC and the Minister for Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, this morning welcomed the airline's first jet aircraft back to Australia, more than 47 years after it first joined the Qantas fleet. The historic Boeing 707-138B touched down in Sydney after a 31500-km, eight-day journey from Southend in London, via Ireland, the Canary Islands, Bermuda, the United States and Fiji. Senator Campbell said the Australian Government was a proud $1 million partner in the momentous endeavour to restore and return home the aircraft that first took Australia into the jet age. "This aircraft, known as City of Canberra, is a national heritage icon which will now go on permanent display to the public," he said. "The jet's touchdown today is testament to the tenacity and expertise of the many volunteer engineers and pilots who undertook months of exacting work in very challenging conditions in the open weather in London to ensure this aircraft was restored to its former glory. "This massive volunteer effort totalled more than 15000 hours -- a feat believed to be unmatched in aviation history. "The Australian Government is proud to have worked with the Qantas Foundation Memorial and other stakeholders to save this historic aircraft." Ms Jackson declared that this was a day of historic significance. "This B707 was the first jet aircraft in the Qantas fleet, the first jet to arrive in Australia, the first Boeing jet aircraft sold outside of the United