klm

Given the date of February 27, 1971, the airline (KLM), and the type of aircraft (Boeing 747), the identity of this aircraft is certainly PH-BUA, a Boeing 747-206B (c/n 19922/96) named "The Mississippi" by KLM. Delivered to KLM in January 1971 (KLM's first 747), this aircraft would continue in service with KLM until September 1989, when it was sold to America West Airlines (AWA) and operated as N531AW. The aircraft would eventually be scrapped in Kingman, Arizona, USA, in February 1996.

@TVL1970 Thank you very much for these additional details, very interesting!

The PH-BUA was the first 747 from KLM flying to Australia. I joined this flight from Amsterdam via Zurich, Beirut, Bangkok, Singapore to Sydney.

Douglas-Fokker DC-2-115E MSN 1364.24 Named Rietvink Also registred as D-AIAS and PC+EB Captured by Germany the 16th May 1940

It was a british plane going by the partial registration, the plane itself looks a little rough around the edges. great picture!

That was indeed a brave mission.

Brian Mulligan Yes, a British plane. Apparently McIntosh had financial backing from William B. Leeds (American millionaire). McIntosh flew over to Baldonnel from England at the end of August. He and Fitzmaurice worked on the plane, had test flights and basically waited for good weather...

Brian Mulligan Was indeed a GB registered plane. Full rego was G-EBTS. Seemingly it was later involved in another record attempt to India.

Nice photo. Three handsome gentlemen. They were brave for trying.