Popular Post paulb Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 The last flight by a British Airways Boeing 747 was in December 2020. By that date G-BYGC had flown 45 million miles over 11,049 flights for a total of 91,023 hours. It had been repainted in 2019 in the BOAC ‘Gold Speedbird’ livery used between 1963 and 1974. Following its last commercial flight as BA212 from Boston in March 2020, it was placed into storage at London Heathrow Airport, England. In June 2020 it flew from Heathrow to Cardiff Wales Airport, where it was placed in storage. The final flight was on December 11th 2020 when it completed a short, four-mile flight from Cardiff Airport to eCube Solutions in St Athan to be preserved. Below are some shots of my flight in G-BYGC from Heathrow to Cardiff. The final (poor) photo was taken by me last month at St Athan . Orbx - EGLL London Heathrow Airport, EGFF Cardiff Wales Airport and True Earth GB. XP 11.55 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sawyer Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 The most beautiful plane even invented. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 18 minutes ago, Jack Sawyer said: The most beautiful plane even invented. It does look good in the sim Jack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caluma65 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Very nice set of shots indeed. Cheers, Calum 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 21 minutes ago, Caluma65 said: Very nice set of shots indeed. Cheers, Calum Many thanks Calum 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wain71 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 superb set of shots there Paul, xplane is looking great....nice picture to...still amazes me how something so big can fly... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 Just now, wain71 said: superb set of shots there Paul, xplane is looking great....nice picture to...still amazes me how something so big can fly... Many thanks Wayne . It was a real change flying the 747. In recent months I have just flown single or twin engined props. The 747 is so big! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wain71 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I am always surprised at how big planes when they fly seem so slow and look like they are more controlled on approach... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradB Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Grand shot Paul !! . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 hour ago, BradB said: Grand shot Paul !! . Thank you kindly John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Great to see that livery flying again Paul in your excellent set and that the plane has been preserved in RL. It is a shame the Speedbird logo hasn't been retained today. I like the photo but light poles and fences are always a problem. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumbypickett Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Very nice set Paul. It's a shame how what was considered modern, can be replaced so soon. cheers Gumby 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 42 minutes ago, VH-KDK said: Great to see that livery flying again Paul in your excellent set and that the plane has been preserved in RL. It is a shame the Speedbird logo hasn't been retained today. I like the photo but light poles and fences are always a problem. Thanks Martyn . Well, I went to the nearby aircraft museum (just slightly outside St Athan) for the morning. They maintain, store and break up aircraft on the base. I was surprised to see G-BYGC still there intact. So I did a bit of research. Hence the post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 38 minutes ago, gumbypickett said: Very nice set Paul. It's a shame how what was considered modern, can be replaced so soon. cheers Gumby Thanks Gumby . Well, G-BYGC was delivered to British Airways in January 1999, so it had quite a long flying life I guess. It was due to be retired in 2024, but the downturn in air traffic caused by the coronavirus pandemic brought that date forward . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Cracking set of shots these Paul. cheers Iain 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, Iain Emms said: Cracking set of shots these Paul. cheers Iain Many thanks Iain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andiflyit Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Excellent shots Paul, I always like shots showing a nice 747. The last one is that from reallife? Great perspective... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernd1151 Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Wonderful screenies, Paul. I like the last one the most. Must be from MSFS 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 1 hour ago, andiflyit said: Excellent shots Paul, I always like shots showing a nice 747. The last one is that from reallife? Great perspective... Thank you Andreas. Yes, the very final shot is real life . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Fantastic shots of the golden speedbird, Paul. And the photo gives them an extra kick. On 7/29/2022 at 1:14 PM, paulb said: The last flight by a British Airways Boeing 747 was in December 2020. Have they really retired all 747s? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 44 minutes ago, Stillwater said: Fantastic shots of the golden speedbird, Paul. And the photo gives them an extra kick. Have they really retired all 747s? Many thanks Gerold. Glad that you enjoyed them . Yes, all BA 747's have been retired. The last flight was by G-BYGC Cardiff to St Athan. Hence the post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, paulb said: Yes, all BA 747's have been retired. I am shocked. Unbelievable. Good that you keep them alive. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 2 hours ago, bernd1151 said: Wonderful screenies, Paul. I like the last one the most. Must be from MSFS Thank you Bernd . Even MSFS graphics are not that real! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambar Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Top-notch set of shots Paul! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 4 hours ago, adambar said: Top-notch set of shots Paul! Many thanks Adam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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