STN AFX 747....not for long?
 

G-INTL had it's rudder removed and has now been moved from the remote stands Northside to the engine run bays outside the Diamond Hangar. Rumour has it that it'll be ferrying to PIK, gear down as it's time-ex, for overhaul.

Thoughts....?
Rumours....?
Anyone....?

Ferrying back to PIK....without a rudder!!!!!! :bored:

This mark of a/c has been out of service for 4-5years. How much does it cost to get it back to flying condition as I would have thought it must be a close thing. How long will the a/c have to fly to recoup its costs (repair)

Power runs were carried out on Wednesday, although I didn't see them get #2running.

The upper/lower rudders were refitted today and need panelling up.

Aircraft will fly gear down to PIK for swings and then fly to Jakarta for a C/D check.

Probably a low time airframe compared to others. Shame about those -70's

The rudder they fitted was taken from the other aircraft at MSE:confused:
It is soon to be scrapped. (the MSE one that is)

Do we have a departure date chaps?

Last I heard was a departure to PIK by W/E 11th March. Lets see what happens on that one. Alot of people will be watching to see a piece of STN furniture finally depart:ok:

Why do people always moan about the -70s? I flew with those for years and only ever had one problem. That was resolved by the delicate tap of a mallet on the fuel control.

The reverser did take some skilled rigging to work for more than one cycle though.

I didn't mean there was anything wrong with the -70 engine itself. My point was that there are probably far fewer spares on the market compared to the JT9-7/CF6-50/RB211 which probably made this particular airframe a little less desirable...until now:ok:

Any news as to when the old girl is getting in the air as I was one of the crew that was on her when she arrived from AMS after a visit by 2 men in suits.

G-INTL ex N701SW
 

Any pictures of the old girl would be very much appreciated. I worked on the aircraft when it was new from Boeing and being operated by Seaboard World. She was a grand old lady and the first real 747 freighter to land at Heathrow having both the nose and side doors. I have tried to keep an historical record of it, along with all of the Seaboard Aircraft operated in the late 60's to the 80,s.
many thanks

The old 747 returned to the run bay today for more tests, not sure how they got on. One engine had a leak & another had not been tested at high power yet.
Apparently they hope to fly north next week!

IMO it doesn't look as good as the other large cargo aircraft that's also hoping to leave these shores after a long rest:E

Pictures
 

Tarrant you can see some pictures on the link below:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...ext_id=0465913

I am sure more recent ones will be posted soon. I might even try to get some for you on my way to work tomorrow!

brgds,

GP.

G-INTL
 

Many thanks for your help. It's pictures of it last days in the Uk that I need for my research.
Regards
Eric

G-INTL
 

Tarrent I my have a some pics taken in KL pm me with an e-mail address and I will search them out

mole man

Gazin,

I guess you mean the wonderful Guppy!

Saw her in Bournemouth Wednesday afternoon, 2 Heavylift ginger beers were fettling her ready for the trip south. What a beast, last saw her in Liverpool in 1999 loading up Ford car parts.

I knew a scumbag in the UAE that was looking at INTL, reports said it actually was in a reasonable state, if you ignored the moss, and nothing major wrong with it, except a lot of work overdue. so its all down to economics, especially negotiating with the BAA over parking...
as for 707 JT3 spares who says they are a problem??!!! the only problem we have is finding an STC to put EGPWS in..
Also anyone who has experience flying/working one please go to the John Travolta thread on Jetblast and put your pennyworth in, I am not a pilot, but I am led to/do believe that its an aircraft that really has to be flown and if John Travolta can handle it he deserves some respect...
Techman do you still fly, and can you sort out reversers on JT3D-3Bs???
GAZUN what is the other long tern resident at STN??

OH yes and FLS (if they are still called that) didn't want to risk a gear swing in case it blocked up their hangar/apron, so it has to be a ferry out with gear down.

mtogw the other aircraft isn't at stn it's further south. freightdoggy dog worked out what I meant;)
Good luck to both teams.

All gone quiet again on G-INTL. Anybody at STN noticed any activity around the a/c lately?