TD Racer , Had the privilege of bringing home to LHR from SEA the engineers who de-commisioned her . Was able to make them and their other halves comfortable as a thank you . Some had worked on Conc. for the whole of her BA career , and were retiring with her .
No mention of removing engines whilst chatting with them . However after decades of keeping her running , it was sacrilege for them to drain all fluids , cut pipes ; allowing air /moisture into hydraulic / fuel / oil lines . Disconnecting all electrics , cutting through many wiring looms , removing sections . They were told to make impossible to renovate back to flying condition .
On her delivery flight , via Toronto IIRC . The Canadians graciously allowed her to take a Northerly route over the Tundra with NO speed restictions . It all happened at the last minute , and the last sector had 30 , or was it 70 ? empty seats . A lost opportunity .