John Travolta & his 747
 

John Travolta has just purchased Qantas` last B747SP for $ 84 million. Way to go John. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Seems a bit of a high price ?? Last I heard a good used 74-400 was about 50-55 million USD !!

Hmmmm..... .There' a B747SP parked in Jakarta owned by Internationally wanted Mr Luke Butler.. .. .Heard it was going to be parted out although still a sound flier. That one was bought a couple of years ago for $6 Million -ish and now reliably reckoned to be worth about $2.5 M. .. .Come to that I thought all SP's were worth around that mark. European Aviation bought five -200's from BA for a song at $3.5Million the lot - now they wil probably refinance them for a couple of mil a piece and bank a healthy sum of cash. .. .John Travolta must have paid a fortune for BFE, gold taps, water bed etc ????

747 SP's were produced between 1976 and 1982. Their present value is estimated at 4 Million US$, with the newest airframe probably fetching up to 7.4 Million. The interior could cost Travolta some more money.......but not 75 Million.

Interiors can run that high. I understand that the interior on Prince Waleed's A340, done by Raytheon in Waco, Texas, cost $100 million!

Going rate for a 747SP is going to less than $10 mil..far less, basically the value of the engines and gear (not many SP's around to use the gear though).... .. .On a good day I'd value it at $5 mil...

Knackered one sitting in LUX was going for $5m. No takers, being scrapped now.

Nice one John.. .. .He let me jump the queue in front of his 737 for line up at St.Augastine on my xcountry qualifier.. .. .MJ

Out of interest, how many component parts of a scrapped B747 can be re - used?. .For example, would the horn be compatible with my 1997 Peugot 405? Is there any chance I could adapt the exhaust pipe for my ride on lawn mower, and do the headlights fit a Ford Mondeo (1999). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

NikNak..... Well I know for sure the toilets would have fitted into my Reliant Robin, with plenty of room to spare!

Niknak. .. .Try fitting the landing lights as extra driving lights. Instant cure for oncoming idiots who drive on high beams!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 24 March 2002, 23:58: Message edited by: Four Seven Eleven ]</small>

Look on the brighter side guys. He will need a F/O and a flight engineer.. .. . Hey I heard this financier Kirk Kerkorian also flies a private 747. Anyone heard where he purchased it/ any websites etc.. .. . They should have an aviation tabliod.

Love his pictures - not sure about the rest.. .. .Have Mr. Travolta's flying skills improved since his 707 days?

Now why would anyone need a private 747? Might the purchase perhaps be connected with Mr. Travolta's well-attested relationship with the "Church" of "Scientology"? . .. .I hope that if there are any airlines who allow participants in this odious and frankly insane cult to pilot their aircraft, they also have the courtesy to inform passengers before allowing them to board unwittingly.

The $84 million estimate seems a bit high... It probably is the "total" estimate and includes the interior/avionics work. . .. .I flew into EWR about a year ago and he landed behind me in his 707 - a beautiful aircraft. His voice sounded familiar, and when I saw the "JT" on his registration number I knew who it was... His landing was pretty good too.... .. .I heard a rumor that he was actually hired by United in the early 80s after his career had "stalled." Evidently, he was also asked to change his name and he refused.... .. .All the power to him! Personally, I think he needs to spend a little less time on his flying and more time improving his ACTING - or he won't be able to afford his new toy.... .. .Cheers

CARGO - I think the answer to your question is "because he can".. .As for the Church of Scientology, as odious as I find their practices, I fail to see why any airline would vet any of their employees for membership of the organisation until such time as they became a "prescribed" organisation by the US or any other Government. . .As far as I know, even they havent resorted to "recruitment in the cabin" - yet!!!

There was a Typo in the initial news release. He bought the 747 for 8.4 million not 84 million. . .That would put things in perspective!

$8.4 mill sounds more reasonable, yet expensive for an old SP.. .Then comes fuel, mainteance, insurance and crew. An old B-747 can really be a money hog.. .Hope Mr. Travolta knew all that. . .. .Who said "To make millions in a hurry, fly a full 747, to go bust quick, fly an empty one.". .. .Think it was R. Burr, Peoples Express?. .. .Aye, 2 things fades with age, the first is yer memory, the second I can't remember. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

A post on the Skyone board, ostensibly from someone who works at Marana, says both QF 747SPs have been broken up. So if JT has bought one, it's more likely a Classic - would fit the pax number quoted.

After a full avionics refit, overhaul, luxury interior and paint job sounds like a bargin. Fancy one myself now.. .Can you fit a jaccuzi and if so how does one prevent spillage in turbulence. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />