British Airways 747 Retires to Dunsfold Aerodrome
Thursday, October 22nd, 2020Dunsfold Aerodrome is delighted to confirm a second 747 will be taking up residence on the airfield from today, Thursday 22nd October, where it will begin its new life as a TV and film set.
The retired British Airways 747, registration G-CIVW, will depart from Cardiff Airport as flight number BA9178E, landing into the Aerodrome in Surrey at 14:15*.
Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Aerodrome, comments: “The 747 is a unique and important piece of aviation history and we are excited to be taking delivery of this retired aircraft at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Whilst G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and given a new lease of life in the world of TV and film, training and special events.”
The aircraft, affectionately known as the Queen of the Skies, was built in Everett in the United States and entered the British Airways fleet on 15 May 1998. Its last flight was on 11th June 2020 from Bournemouth to Cardiff and, since then, the aircraft has been stored at Cardiff Airport.
G-CIVW will keep its Chatham Dockyard livery which was first introduced in June 1997. The livery takes its name from the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent and was based on the original flag used by Admiral Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The Chatham Dockyard livery was created for BA by the Admiral’s Original Flag Loft factory in Chatham which had made flags for more than 400 years.
The aircraft, like many other 747s, has ties with the world of film, having flown many actors worldwide in its cabins and visited film set hotspots like Los Angeles and New York. In its new role it will feature more prominently in front of the camera, used to mock up interior and exterior shots for TV and film.
With an aviation heritage that includes the development of military aircraft such as the Harrier, Hawk and Hunter, Dunsfold Aerodrome is the perfect fit for the generation-defining 747.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Aerodrome will not be open to spectators for the 747s final flight and landing.
To watch a live stream of the landing please go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dunsfoldparkofficial/