After we had finished with the rear hold, we made our way to the very back of the aircraft and up the stairs to board.

Several rows of seats had been removed, as well as the ceiling panelling above the cabin so it was possible to see the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder, otherwise known as the ‘black boxes’. The guide played a short video, which was presented by a former Qantas 747 captain. He explained the role of the black boxes and why they were placed in the tail of the aircraft.

As we looked up, it was also possible to see the rear pressure bulk head and some of the hydraulic cables leading to the tail.


Boarding


The ‘black’ boxes


Rear pressure bulkhead

As we looked around, our guide made her way up to door 3L and waited for us. I made my way slowly forward, exploring as I went. This aircraft is as big as I remember it. It possibly seemed larger inside due to the 2 class configuration, with large economy cabins. The aircraft was configured with 360 economy seats (including some on the upper deck) and 48 business class seats.

As we moved forward I spent some time looking at the galleys as well as where the overhead and floor panels had been removed, revealing their secrets. Above the cabin is a really rather spacious area containing various ducts and electrical wiring as well as carrying the hydraulic control wires.


Looking forward


Galley ovens


More galley equipment


Side and floor cutaway


Up above the passenger cabin


Up above the passenger cabin – you can clearly see the hydraulic control wires from the cockpit here

We arrived at door 3L to find that it had been stripped down to reveal it’s workings. The same captain was presented on a video that explained how it worked. Apparently, the slide raft is an Australian invention.
The guide also explained the green paint that could be seen everywhere. Apparently it was zinc based, presumably to avoid corrosion. Around 350 kilos of paint is used on the inside and around 750 kilos on the outside. Quite a lot of weight!


Door 3L – stripped down

The tour guide then gave us a few minutes to have a look around the middle sections of the cabin, whilst she moved forward into the nose.

I took the opportunity to act as cabin crew and sat in the crew seats at door 4R. I was apparently on the phone to the captain explaining that we had a passenger who didn’t like chicken or beef but hadn’t bothered to order a vegetarian meal. I was asking for permission to restrain him .

In the middle of the cabin was a solitary oxygen mask. I’ve never seen one before, and honestly, I hope that I don’t see one again.


Me, playing crew


Oxygen mask


Looking back, somewhere between doors 3L and 4L