Dunsfold 747
 

Whilst watching yet another episode of Top Gear, the ever present 747 was in the background whilst they were track testing. I know that it arrived to be used in the filming of Casino Royale and that it's been used in a few other TV/advertising jobs. Is it still owned by Aces High ? What is it's day to day function ? Has it been kitted out as an office of some sort ? Will it ever fly again or will it be scrapped for it's metal worth ? Any answers appreciated to satiate an enquiring mind :8


SHJ

It resides next to the tower, usefully blocking the view of arrivals on runway 07, although it was moved back last year at Safeskys request. It was used for filming in early February this year, but not having been inside it I don't know if it still has passenger seats. It is kept hooked up to a power supply for air conditioning.
The wings have been 'modded' so the engines appear to be in two double pods, not four single ones as the original. Consensus seems to be this was at the request of Boeing so it didn't look exactly like a 747.
Not sure who actually claims ownership but as Aces High occupy part of the ground floor of the tower, so your guess is as good as mine.

Last time I was on it I was told it would just be rented out for filming. Most of the flight deck was gutted and the interior was basic as you like, then.

I doubt they've done it up inside for anything other than a film set.

I believe it had the twin engine mod when it appeared in a movie - to make it look not like a 747. It was supposed to be a brand new model of an aircraft targeted by terrorists.. wish I could remember the name of the filum!

It must be well past restoring to flight?

I was talking to Mrs Aces-High not long back and I think she said the cockpit then had been updated with some EFIS fit for a movie.

The film was Casino Royale. I believe that the interior was used for the 'Come Fly WIth Me' comedy series too.

Also used for the Sky Sports Ashes promos in 2010

Thanks for all the replies, it just seems (to me) a very large and underused asset with perhaps few uses apart from the odd film/tv usage. But then again, I've never been able to understand the mysteries of company finances :)

Whilst on the subject of Dunsfold, what are the larger biz-jets that I often see (G5, CL604 size) whilst Top Gear are doing their track testing ? Are they based there or is it concerning maintenance work ? And what of the talk of either expansion of the airfield or housing estate of a while back ?



SHJ

The 747 is owned by the Dunsfold Park not Aces High and as previous posts have said is largely used for film work. Biz jets use the airfield privately, there are no maintenance facilities at Dunsfold. There are a dozen or so private fixed wing based in Hangar57, the Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and an Agusta 109 operator.

It is owned by Aces High and have passenger seats in it.

The Air Ambulance moved out last year and is now co-located with the police helicopter at another Surrey airfield.

It's also starred in an episode of 'Primeval' in which ground handlers had to hide in the cargo compartment from a Tyrannosaurus, and also in the adaptation of 'The Day of the Triffids' from a year or two back, in which Dougray Scott's character snoozed overnight in one of the engine nacelles.

Sorry Planeozo, but it is owned by Dunsfold Park!