Boeing 747

B747 SP Private Aircraft



This aircraft belonged to the former ruler of a very wealthy Middle Eastern state. While on holiday in Europe in the mid 90's, his son took over the country and took back the Airbus A340 that the father had been using. Being stuck for transport the father bought this B747 (ex Pan Am and United), which had been stored in the desert near Las Vegas for several years. The aircraft was made airworthy and flown to Singapore for a D check and some minor interior mods. Subsequently the aircraft was registered in Bermuda and initially was managed by and flown with BA crew and engineers while based at Stansted.

I believe the aircraft still flies with a VIP flight in the Gulf.

John wrote:

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This aircraft belonged to the former ruler of a very wealthy Middle Eastern state. While on holiday in Europe in the mid 90's, his son took over the country and took back the Airbus A340 that the father had been using. Being stuck for transport the father bought this B747 (ex Pan Am and United), which had been stored in the desert near Las Vegas for several years. The aircraft was made airworthy and flown to Singapore for a D check and some minor interior mods. Subsequently the aircraft was registered in Bermuda and initially was managed by and flown with BA crew and engineers while based at Stansted.

I believe the aircraft still flies with a VIP flight in the Gulf.

The last I heard this aircraft was based in Bournemouth. One of the flight crew is an ex BA Concorde Captain with many hours on both Concorde and 747. I met him through contacts in the village of Highclere (twinned with Downton Abbey) and he is a remarkable man.

Is it tnd of the line for the mighty 747
www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techfla...+Business+Journal%29

I had heard this before. A couple of years ago there were no orders for the 747 or the A380 either.

It would appear that one of the Cathay Pacific 747's that are being broken up at Bruntingthorpe has had it's cockpit section saved. Cathay Pacific wish to retain it as I understand it.

I'm guessing & hoping they'll display it somewhere eventually.

I saw a documentary yesterday on BBC news channel about the 747, its coming up to the 50th anniversary of its first flight. And there are now no 747s in airline service in the USA.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 747-400 PH-BFV seen by me in July 2002 and again in May 2018, both times in Amsterdam:

BA has painted one of its 747s in BOAC colours, this is to celebrate the 100th birthday of BAs founder company. They also painted a n A320 in BEA markings.

Two other BA B747's being painted in earlier colour schemes. One in the Landsdowne and the other in the Negus scheme.

And BOACs first 3 aircraft were delivered with sextants. BOAC apparently didnt fully trust the autopilot.