MD80 at LGW
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MD80 at LGW
I've used LGW quite a lot over the last few months and noticed a MD80 parked on what seems to be a freight stand. This is to the West of the North terminal roughly in line with the Virgin Atlantic hangar. The aircraft hasn't moved since June and sits there with its doors closed, flaps down, and no GE connected.
Has anyone got any info on who, what why?
Thanks in anticipation
Has anyone got any info on who, what why?
Thanks in anticipation
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ex I-DAVA of ITALI who went bust. Been in situ since at least Dec-2010, sat on 180 for ages, then the 200s and was last seen on 159 with "TRYGON AVIATION LTD" titles. I suspect it's as good as scrap, they're just sorting out legalities.
Perhaps it's as well I no longer fix flying things.
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It has been about 10 years since I last used Gatwick. When I last did there was a Comet with clipped wings near the terminal. Further along when taxiing out, near a fire training hull, I could just see a tail which looked to me like a Gloster Meteor or Westland Whirlwind, no idea if they are still there but guess not. Even at UK's busy airports there is usually something unusual to see.
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The wingless Comet (GAPMB) at Gatwick was last flown by Dan Air and retired in 1978 ish.
She was acquired by Gatwick Handling and was painted white and had her wings clipped so that it could be used for pushback and towing training. She was usually parked on the old stand 136, on the corner of taxiways K + Q, not to be confused with the new 136.
During a review of airfield assets, etc a few years ago, it was decided that MB was no longer needed and she was then scrapped.
Another aircraft hiding away at Gatwick is the HP Herald GCEXP. She was on the roof of the South Terminal as part of the viewing area for many years, but was eventually craned off one night and taken to the western end of the airfield.
She was acquired by Gatwick Handling and was painted white and had her wings clipped so that it could be used for pushback and towing training. She was usually parked on the old stand 136, on the corner of taxiways K + Q, not to be confused with the new 136.
During a review of airfield assets, etc a few years ago, it was decided that MB was no longer needed and she was then scrapped.
Another aircraft hiding away at Gatwick is the HP Herald GCEXP. She was on the roof of the South Terminal as part of the viewing area for many years, but was eventually craned off one night and taken to the western end of the airfield.
Another aircraft hiding away at Gatwick is the HP Herald GCEXP. She was on the roof of the South Terminal as part of the viewing area for many years, but was eventually craned off one night and taken to the western end of the airfield.
Whenever I see such a sad looking aircraft, I get this strong desire go there with my Kaercher jet spray washer and get all that moss and muck off the paintwork 
In reality it's probably protecting the old paint from the elements.
In reality it's probably protecting the old paint from the elements.
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It is still there. It is now parked on the other side of the runway over at where the BCal crew report used to be. It must be racking up a massive bill in parking fees. I wonder what it is being used for. I sometimes see the doors open.
http://theimagehost.net/upload/3fc18...a00364d99d.JPG
http://theimagehost.net/upload/3fc18...a00364d99d.JPG
Last edited by suninmyeyes; 15th Mar 2017 at 15:06.
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Managed to grab some good shots of the MD80 on a visit see attached
https://www.flickr.com/photos/885738...57666968852742
sad to see G-CEXP Herald dumped considering the work put in presenting it to the viewing gallery , i was a member of the team that worked as Skyview, good few years working up there showing people around
https://www.flickr.com/photos/885738...57666968852742
sad to see G-CEXP Herald dumped considering the work put in presenting it to the viewing gallery , i was a member of the team that worked as Skyview, good few years working up there showing people around
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Many of you will also remember the BA Comet that sat alongside the LHR Eastern Peri Road aircraft crossing which used to be run up regularly for the apprentices to learn on. I guess that was also torched.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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We were involved in the engineering to support the Herald on the roof. Seem to remember the original idea was scaled back considerably.
