The last 2 BA 747s awaiting scrap - at Kemble Cotswolds. Film 1. G BYGA. 15th December 2021
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- 28 British Airways 747s were sent for disposal and breakup during 2020* (this excludes the 4 that are saved). Of those 28, there are now just 3 left in the UK; all of which are awaiting the breakers' torch. 2 of these are located at Kemble Cotswold Airport. This film looks at 1 of the 2 remaining 747s at Kemble: G- BYGA. A separate film features the other 747 at Kemble; G-CIVN.
G-BYGA was delivered to British Airways on 14th December 1998 and was laid out in "Super High J" 14F/86J/30W/145Y seating configuration. The aircraft flew from Cardiff to Kemble on 8th September 2020 as flight BA 9178, having completed a relatively modest 89,000 flying hours during its lifespan.
G-BYGA had actually been towed to the breakup compound at Kemble at the end of October 2021 but fortunately work had not started in earnest on cutting it up when the aircraft was moved out of the compound again, in early December 2021 to allow what is thought to be re-surfacing works to be carried out in the break up area during December.
So the aircraft is currently (as at 15th December 2021) parked alongside the A429 but I am sure will not be with us for very much longer.
I've also included clips of G-BYGA that I took over the period 2018-2019, showing her in action in and around London Heathrow.
Enjoy this tribute to G-BYGA.
*this includes G-CIVM which was retired in early March 2020, just before the first COVID lockdown.
G-CIVN
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So heartbreaking seeing this beautiful piece of aviation history now being stripped apart
There's probably only 3 planes ever built that anyone would instantly recognise, a Spitfire, Concord and a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.
@English Real Ale. Yes I think you’re right - and possibly a Vulcan bomber too?!
And a Bf109.
SR71, U2, Lancaster bomber.
We'll look back on this era the same way people do now with the scrapping of steam engines (locomotives). Great video btw.
@AshtonArcher. Thanks very much for the feedback - you’re right Re the steam loco era - I’m sure we will think of this as another “Beeching” type culling ….
I'm a steam locomotive enthusiast todays stuff is boring carnt get my head round how people find today's stuff interesting
These lady’s had so much life left in them, it is so sad to see them being thrown away and torn apart as they are it is breaking my heart as I watch these videos.
@Colin Boneham - yes you’re right. This frame had less than 90,000 flying hours - there could have still been a lot of life left….
@@HeathrowAircraft why didnt they use them as freighter and sell them off?
@@4kaviation171 Exactly - it was a rushed decision by the then Chief Exec Willie Walsh. Many 777s had all their seats removed and were used for cargo flights by BA during lockdown - as were the ex Virgin A340-600s which are now flying PPE around the world….🙇
"Ladies".
What a boring world this is becoming, no more supersonic, quads, triples or rear engined t-tails.
@Paul Chambers. You’re right Paul. So few quads and definitely no triples any more…sad….
FedEx MD 10s and MD 11 and a few others. Still, quad jets are getting rarer and rarer too
@@747heavyboeing3 Yes good point Re MD-11s. We never see them any more at LHR sadly …
@@HeathrowAircraft FedEx doesn't operate MD 11a there?
@@747heavyboeing3 No - they operate from London Stansted in Essex; not Heathrow!
Let's hope BA's 747s gets a 2nd life as a freighter. Seeing being scrapped is really depressing :(, Fantastic Footage!.
@Mike5890. Thanks a lot Mike. The only hope now is the 5 ex BA 747s still at Teruel Spain. There aren’t any others in the UK apart from
G-BYGD at St Athan Wales which is due to be cut up in the next month or so…..😢
All good things must come to an end, and the 747 is one of the greatest, if not the greatest. Not just the queen of the skies but a king of aeroplanes.
@Savin Singh Absolutely yes!
It will continue on as a freighter for at least another 10 years
@@747heavyboeing3 Yes that’s the good news isn’t it. At least we have a fair few cargo 747 operations still at LHR….
@@HeathrowAircraft Great channel!
Sorry I took so long but subscribed
@@747heavyboeing3 Ah thank you! That’s much appreciated!
Such a shame to see these 3 great old ladies go.. I shall miss the jumbo .. it was a great aircraft to see and travel in over the years.. as was the Comet 4 and Super VC10 before.. Thanks for showing this video , sad , but appreciated .
@Ian James Hodges. Hi Ian - thanks very much. Yes you’re right; it is one in a distinctive line of classic aircraft when you look at the bigger picture….. one more film coming out tonight with G-CIVN - more memories….
@@HeathrowAircraft Thank you also.. I shall definitely look for your second video GCIVN during today..
Sad to see them in such a state ☹️ but thank you for another superb capture, whilst sad I think it’s an important part of the 747 you capture here. I like how you add the footage from her flying days too 🙂
@Anthony Furnival- hi Anthony - thanks very much for that. Glad you liked it; sad though it is….have a good Sunday. Best wishes Steve
Great video, Steve. I never tire of watching your BA 747 videos!
@chez84 Ah thank you!! I’m glad you liked it ❤️
So sad to see her silenced....
all she knew was the noise of her engines and the chatter from her cargos....
we will regret retiring these beautiful machines...
😌
@jayeff. You’re absolutely right - we will regret it….very sad….
Not only are these amongst the most complex and sophisticated machines that man has ever made. Not only have they proven an incredible commercial success. Not only have they had such a positive impact on so many peoples' lives, but they are also things of such incredible beauty. Will mankind ever repeat this feat? Maybe. It pains me to have witnessed their demise, but I am so happy that Joe Sutter was spared all of this.
@Peter Mc. Well said. Totally agree.
Brilliant but obviously sad video . I took some lovely pics of G-BYGA when she was stored at CWL in 2020 and to actually see a video of her in service too is brilliant. Thank you .
@Peter Howells. Hi Peter - thanks very much - it's good that you managed to catch some photos of her stored at CWL - looking a lot better then than now sadly....Best wishes Steve
Looks like a Ryanair plane with the ‘repair’ on the cargo bay.
As I never kept track, wonder how many times I may have ridden on her during my deadhead assignments through LHR; or how many times I watched her takeoff or land at JFK. Also heartbreaking to see it's sister ship in the retro livery behind her. Enjoyed seeing all the retro livery birds coming into JFK
@boeingav8tr Weird isn’t it. You probably flew on her many times. Yes I thought I’d include a background shot of “Negus” - at least that is preserved 🙇
how sad it is to see such beautiful planes. be scrapped due to corvid 19 😢😢. they should have flown for many years now. it's sad it is
@kim jensen. Definitely- I agree with you. There was a lot of life left in this airframe …
Really sad to see them no longer. The 744 with RR engines were my favourite as they had that distinctive sound.
@Dave from Melbourne. Hi Dave - yes me too. Nothing better than an RB211! Compare this to Virgin 747 G-VROM departing from the same runway - quite a different sound from the General Electric engines….ua-cam.com/video/At94YN6skEU/v-deo.html
@@HeathrowAircraft yes very different
The cockpit and part of the upper deck of G-BYGA will be preserved. It has already been cut off.
@Pcorf Creations. Hi yes that’s right. I’ve issued a new film this week showing the “decapitated” 747….ua-cam.com/video/XR9BQ3aKOSE/v-deo.html
I remember seeing a Royal (charter carrier in Canada) get rid of an L1011 not long before 9/11. It spent much time in front of its hangar at Dorval (YUL) airport being stripped relatively cleanly. This included all the doors, windows (and obviously interior and all instruments etc. Only once that was done, was it moved to another area of airpory in general aviation to be fed to the machine with the jaws to eat through it. (pretty amazing to see cross section of fuselage with no interior, no cabin ceiling.
Quite surprised the BA747 is sitting there with engines not so cleanly removed and windows/doors still there. I have to assume that it will go to a shop where all that stuff gets removed before the fuselage is cut up and chewed on and put into a truck to the beer can factory.
No love lost seeing an L1011 dismantled. But a 747.... different story.
@Jean-Francois Mezei. Hi yes you’re right Re the strip down process. The company that are based at Cotswold (air salvage international) have a retail arm through which aircraft skin tags, Windows and instrument panels are sold off to the public. The engines were removed quite quickly and sold on or returned to Rolls Royce. I have some other films showing the 747s here at Kemble and at St Athan Wales, in various stages of tear down. Best wishes Steve
Too many trips that I care to remember to USA, Singapore, Australia and mostly 747. Always 62 or 64 a or k seats :) and the odd first upgrade. Always loved the 747. Sadly missed but I can at least remember too!
@David Mmm. Very nice- that's the Upper Deck isn't it? As you say, at least you've got the great memories of those flights...
@@HeathrowAircraft upper deck, window seat, with window locker AND exit behind aisle seat without climbing over someone’s legs ;). 62 being upstairs emergency exit row. Great memories. A friend of mine in 62 was offered first class middle aisle seat, and declined to stay in 62 :).
@@davidm-1965tb Sounds perfect. Just need that glass of champagne now….
Thanks for a great but ultimately very sad video - it was always so exciting to fly in a 747 jumbo and I will always remember my first ..... 44 years ago.
@Steve Tapner - thanks Steve - I agree, there was always something special about flying on a 747 wasn’t there. I can’t trump 44 years but my first was 31 years ago and I still remember all the shaking and rattling as the -100 series (G-AWNA of BA) lumbered down the runway on the takeoff run. Fond memories. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes Steve
@@HeathrowAircraft thanks for reply - the very first jumbo 747 flight was on my 10th birthday - for my first flight in 1977 my Dad managed to get me on the same flight PA101 from Brussels to lhr (plane continued onto jfk) - the first of many jumbo 747 memories.
@Steve Tapner. Ah - good memories. Good old Dad sorting that flight. Those first memories are classic aren’t they. Mine was a Vickers Viscount - from Liverpool to Belfast on Cambrian Airways! 1969. Makes me feel old! Best wishes Steve
Reminds me of War of the world's remake with TC at the end when the birds land on the Martian machine to pick at them :-/
@Captain Jerry. Actually you’re right -I hadn’t thought of that but that’s exactly it! 😳
Just not the same without BA 747s at Heathrow will be missed
@Paul Skilling. Hi Paul yes you’re right - definitely not the same there ….
So sad to see a once mighty 747 await its end.
@LEE AIR Videos. It is really sad. Especially knowing in a month or so it won’t be here any longer….
So sad to see the 747s in this state
@Aviation In 4K. Yes it is quite beaten up when you see it closer up isn’t it? Very sad 😞
5 BA 747's was currently stored at TEV (G-CIVA/R/S/T/X) with engines removed (to be scrapped in 2022?)
@Axel Toussaint. Hi Axel yes you’re right. I followed them on flight radar 24 when they flew out in convoy on 3rd April 2020 - seems a long time ago now sadly 😢
An Amazing Aeroplane, had the pleasure of flying on one several times, just how these things get off the ground baffles me. Very sad to see them scrapped and not replaced with a better model!
I guess other countries in Asia may keep them in the skies?
@Cure It. Yes it is very sad isn’t it? It was always a sight to see a heavily laden 747 climbing out of Heathrow. Lufthansa brought some of their 747 fleet out of retirement during the summer of 2021 - sad that BA didn’t do likewise….best wishes Steve.
Sad to see such an amazing piece of engineering going to scrap.
@Slip n Slide. It is I agree. If you want to see one in a worse state, take a look at G-BYGG which I filmed back in September 2021 in Wales…..ua-cam.com/video/L8L5Aw1On5c/v-deo.html
Them Trent engines we're the best we ever made at RR, Britain's finest ever... 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧
.
@dackes julag. The sound of a 747 is very unique isn’t it. Miss that sound 🥺
RB211-524H, not Trents!
@@1bobhodgson Thank You Sir !!
Looks like it needs a repaint, how did the drivers get back after leaving it at the airport?.
@Carlos Alberto. Hi Carlos, they had a private taxi take them back.
Heartbreaking, really 😢🇬🇧
@my name is none of your business. You’re right; it is very sad ….
Very Sad End to all the 747s 🥵
@jacksonhunter5190 the end of an era that’s for sure….
BA should be ashamed .
The executives should watch these videos.
For me, its sad how a machine that delivered people all over the world for many different reasons, some Happy, some sad, now sits on a plot of land being stripped, unloved.
@Thomas. Absolutely- well put! I agree with you ….
Sad But Y. .Cos of Fuel.. Sad way 4 a Grand Lady . BEING ON FOUR 747s 2 Caribbean 380 not as good ?
@Peter Lee. Yes it is very sad - as you say, a Grand Lady. Good you’ve flown in them - esp. to lovely destination like the Caribbean!
Sad to see these aircraft go for salvaging. But they are recycled and not lying about. Next time you fly on a newer aircraft -maybe some recycled metal as been used from the old favourites. As for the loss in financial terms, BA getting rid of these. Must be colossal !!
@Bill. Yes you’re right - at least the engines are sold on in the market and parts of the fuselage can be salvaged as you say. Would have been interesting to see the write off value of these aircraft 🥺
Definitely should of turned them in to cargo planes should easy get another 10 to 15 years service as cargo planes
@Stephen Curran. Yes you’re right. Huge waste …
It would be so lovely if we could've save those 747 and placed them in aviation museum around the country
@Kenny Leung. Yes I agree - it would have been great. At least on that same airfield there is the “Negus” 747; G-CIVB which is saved!
Why is there wood on that 747? Also, what would have happened to the engines on the scrapped aircraft.
@Ross Mason. Hi Ross it had been in the breakup compound where work had started on removing panelling - the door and frame were removed to allow internal fixtures to be easily taken out. Then the aircraft was moved out of the break up compound a couple of weeks ago (temporarily) so the opening has been secured with wood for safety as the door has now been removed. And yes it will be broken up. See my July films from Kemble Cotswolds showing CIVJ, BYGB and BYGF in the process of being dismantled there. Cheers Steve
@Ross Mason. Re the engineers I have been told that the engines were leased from Rolls Royce - in which case they would have been returned or if owned, sold on the market. A 747 freighter was recently seen photographed with the BOAC engine cowling obviously visible!
😔💔
It's just so sad to see the queen's go,I think we all should have 2 min silence
@Aviation_2021 yes I agree - definitely!
It really is so sad for me as a 12 year old av geek as I have never flown a 747 I’ve flown all the latest planes like the 787 but I doubt I will ever fly one
@Big Person. I’m sad you haven’t had the chance to fly on one. They really are one of a kind. 🙇
@@HeathrowAircraft they are however I have seen a few
@@NoahAviation09 Good! And here’s a tour of the Landor 747 if you wanted to walk through one!
ua-cam.com/video/iG9MG8RXsfQ/v-deo.html
The Queen of the Skies... So flippin' SAD....
@lvsluggo007 - yes you’re right - sad 😞
What a waste. I flew New York on that one in 2016. Shame to see her go.
@peter beck - it is a shame. And a waste. They had a lot of life left in them…
The better days aren't coming back folks. The industry is under attack. Governments do not want you peasants flying.
Ain't that the sorry truth?
@@escapetheratracenow9883 I' afraid it is, yes.
There is no fight left in people anymore.
You can thank the likes of that weirdo Greta,
poor bird...
Gut wrenching to see the end of their lives .
@Peaceful Rider. It is isn’t it - really sad…..
I’m heart broken
@Jay Saini. It is very sad isn’t it? Here is the 2nd of the 2 films showing the other 747, G-CIVN. ua-cam.com/video/EKO4k49fJPM/v-deo.html
😥
Such a waste and ive flown in them before 😢
@gmont28 massive waste isn’t it. With air travel having bounced back so much in the last 18 months even a few of the “younger” airframes would have surely helped capacity planning for BA?🤔
Awww I hate this
@Alan Davies. It’s sad to watch isn’t it …
What’s the biggest/best bit I can get for £50?
@IMTHEBIGGESTCUNT Check out the webpage for planestation.aero (Kemble aircraft) and Planereclaimers for St Athan Wales. You can get a fuselage skin square for under £50. ✈️