BA 747 400 over Rudgwick today
 

I've just seen a BA 747-400, seemingly on approach to 08 at LGW, but VERY low. Just north of the village about 12 miles from LGW he turned to the north, still very low, and went out of sight. He's just come past again, a little higher this time in full landing configuration. He turned north once again and has gone out of sight. I thought the last 2 BA 747s had been flown away to the desert a week or more ago. Does anyone know the story?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cd709a52e9.jpg

The landing at Dunsfold was planned to be preceded by a flypast at LGW, hence the OP's observation. The 747 landed at Dunsfold around 30 minutes ago.

Thanks for that. I'd discounted landing at Dunsfold being the reason as we were under the impression that the airfield is about to become a housing estate of around 1800 homes. Let's hope that's fallen through and that the (now) two 747s and the VC 10 can stay there as well as remaining the home of Top Gear.

Didnt come near LGW unfortunately, did a practice approach at Dunsfold but kept a tight circuit south of the airfield.

Good to see an ikon going to a good place. Sorry to see the "Queen of the Sky" retiring.

It does make me wonder what they will do with the 747 and other aircraft if they do eventually start building those houses. Looking at the plans, there doesn't seem to be a place for them to be stored. Maybe the master plan has been put on hold for the new housing estate?

It seems that 'Dunsfold Park' is still in the early stages of site preparation, such as building the access road. Meanwhile the airfield is still operating. But according to the plans, the airfield is soon to be destroyed in favour of 2,600 houses (at the last count). I guess aircraft will be flown out before the end, or left as static exhibits (there's supposed to be an exhibition of the airfield's history) - or maybe even converted into housing?
Dunsfold Park Masterplan with map

I think we can safely assume that the VC-10 and B742 aren't going to be flying anywhere, and that probably applies to quite a few of the other residents, too.

AFAIK, the plans for the latest addition don't include maintaining it in airworthy condition, either.

I stumbled across a tease of this on Twitter the other day;


More here, from the pilot;

https://twitter.com/Magsmeister23

can only apologise on behalf of either the ATC bosses and the Management at Gatwick airport. They wouldn’t approve an ILS approach into Gatwick, low approach and go around then a visual into Dunsfold. I have no idea why, and I will leave ypu all to form your own opinions of that decision!