BA B747 to become a film set!
Oct 22, 2020, 2:30 am
#1
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BA B747 to become a film set!
Thursday 22 October, 2020 – A British Airways 747 will today depart for Dunsfold Aerodrome where it will begin its new life as a TV and film set.
The aircraft, registration G-CIVW, will depart from Cardiff Airport at 1.30pm as flight number BA1978E, landing in to Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey at 2.15pm.
On landing it will be handed over to the airport which will preserve the aircraft for use as a commercial film set and training facility. The aircraft which will keep its Chatham Dockyard livery will be stored in public view on the airfield. In time the aircraft will be opened up as an exhibition for visitors to experience up close the size and scale of the Queen of the Skies.
The aircraft, like many other 747s, has ties with the world of film, having flown many actors across its cabins and having often visited film set hotspots like Los Angeles and New York. In its new role it will feature more prominently in front of the camera, used to mock up interior and exterior shots for TV and film.
Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Aerodrome, commented: “The 747 is a unique and important piece of aviation history and we are excited to be taking delivery of this retired aircraft at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Whilst G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and given a new lease of life in the world of TV and film, training and special events.”
With an aviation heritage that includes the development of military aircraft such as the Harrier, Hawk and Hunter, Dunsfold Aerodrome is the perfect fit for the generation-defining 747. Just 13 miles west of London Gatwick, the Aerodrome provides a convenient location for a variety of aircraft operations including flight testing, maintenance, repair, storage, hangarage and apron parking.
After entering the British Airways fleet on 15 May, 1998, G-CIVW operated 11,424 flights and flew 90,617 hours over 45 million miles. Its last passenger flight was from Boston to Heathrow on 28 March, 2020. After its final commercial flight, the aircraft was stored at Bournemouth Airport before moving to storage at Cardiff Airport in June.
The aircraft, registration G-CIVW, will depart from Cardiff Airport at 1.30pm as flight number BA1978E, landing in to Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey at 2.15pm.
On landing it will be handed over to the airport which will preserve the aircraft for use as a commercial film set and training facility. The aircraft which will keep its Chatham Dockyard livery will be stored in public view on the airfield. In time the aircraft will be opened up as an exhibition for visitors to experience up close the size and scale of the Queen of the Skies.
The aircraft, like many other 747s, has ties with the world of film, having flown many actors across its cabins and having often visited film set hotspots like Los Angeles and New York. In its new role it will feature more prominently in front of the camera, used to mock up interior and exterior shots for TV and film.
Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Aerodrome, commented: “The 747 is a unique and important piece of aviation history and we are excited to be taking delivery of this retired aircraft at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Whilst G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and given a new lease of life in the world of TV and film, training and special events.”
With an aviation heritage that includes the development of military aircraft such as the Harrier, Hawk and Hunter, Dunsfold Aerodrome is the perfect fit for the generation-defining 747. Just 13 miles west of London Gatwick, the Aerodrome provides a convenient location for a variety of aircraft operations including flight testing, maintenance, repair, storage, hangarage and apron parking.
After entering the British Airways fleet on 15 May, 1998, G-CIVW operated 11,424 flights and flew 90,617 hours over 45 million miles. Its last passenger flight was from Boston to Heathrow on 28 March, 2020. After its final commercial flight, the aircraft was stored at Bournemouth Airport before moving to storage at Cardiff Airport in June.
Oct 22, 2020, 5:17 am
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 579
While good news she won't be scrapped, she is going to an airfield that is shortly to close and be redeveloped. Intensive use as a film and scenario set does not bode well for preservation, nor the fact she won't be undercover, and if the airfield is gone, no chance of her being powered up in future. Good news bu we still need an officially preserved 747 in the UK (the rumours on Kemble have all gone very quiet....). I just hope BA don't point to Dunsfold and say 'job done'....
Oct 22, 2020, 5:19 am
#6
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And most importantly of all: will the sheep eat the fresh flower in the First Class toilet?
Oct 22, 2020, 6:46 am
#8
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The two pilots operating today's flight are on Twitter, this one being the more active. Some hints at a low flyby at LGW which wouldn't be entirely surprising given the proximity to Dunsfold.
https://twitter.com/Magsmeister23
Although this may seem laughable to those on here when we discuss service cuts etc. BA do take brand preservation seriously. They won't want a rotting 747 in their (current) livery in full view of the public. The same reason why BA aircraft that are retired for scrapping get their livery/decals removed almost right away.
https://twitter.com/Magsmeister23
Although this may seem laughable to those on here when we discuss service cuts etc. BA do take brand preservation seriously. They won't want a rotting 747 in their (current) livery in full view of the public. The same reason why BA aircraft that are retired for scrapping get their livery/decals removed almost right away.
Oct 22, 2020, 7:00 am
#9
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The Battle for 64K - Channel 4’s new reality show.
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DYKWIA - Blindfolded contestants have to guess, and any wrong answers gets you tossed down the emergency slide
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Oct 22, 2020, 7:09 am
#11
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It'll be me in December if proper catering not yet returned.
Oct 22, 2020, 7:10 am
#12
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While good news she won't be scrapped, she is going to an airfield that is shortly to close and be redeveloped. Intensive use as a film and scenario set does not bode well for preservation, nor the fact she won't be undercover, and if the airfield is gone, no chance of her being powered up in future. Good news bu we still need an officially preserved 747 in the UK (the rumours on Kemble have all gone very quiet....). I just hope BA don't point to Dunsfold and say 'job done'....
Oct 22, 2020, 7:24 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2018
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She was late (14:14) departing - https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW9178/25d7287b
Oct 22, 2020, 7:33 am
#14
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 579
Anway, hope this isn't the only BA 744 that escapes the scrapman.