It’s not what you expect to see while on the motorway: the top deck of a Boeing 747 zooming past you. But if you’re planning on driving between Gloucester and Manchester on August 11 then you may spot this iconic piece of aviation history.
Part of the British Airways G-BYGA aircraft will be transported along the M5, M6, M56 and M60 in its final journey from Kemble, on the edge of the Cotswolds to its new home in Manchester. It’s not a final goodbye for the plane though, it’s going to be transformed into a unique tourist attraction.
It has been saved from scrappage by local airline memorabilia company Doors2Manual, who’ve found a permanent home for the top deck in a hangar at City Airport in Salford. Here it will become ‘The Deck’, which will be used for educational and leisure tours and allow visitors to get up close to this iconic plane.
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Aviation enthusiasts will even get the chance to take the controls in the pilot seat as The Deck will be the UK’s only 747 flight simulator using a real aircraft flight deck. Doors2Manual also plan to use The Deck as an Insta-worthy backdrop for weddings and conferences.
Drew Hanna, co-founder, Doors2Manual and Director, The Deck said: “This has been a dream of ours for a long, long time and we’re so excited to be finally getting ready for G-BYGA’s final journey to our hangar. I don’t think many of us will have witnessed a Boeing 747 driving up the motorway before so it’s set to be a sight many families and flight fanatics will never forget.
“We've been able to build Doors2Manual into one of the world's leading suppliers of airline memorabilia and parts. Now being able to salvage such a significant part of an iconic aircraft is our biggest thrill so far.”
The 747 is a much-loved plane in the aviation industry. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic the final 38 were sent for early retirement. British Airways scrapped all 31 of its 747s – 10% of its entire fleet, while Virgin Atlantic put its last seven of the iconic aircraft out to pasture.
Another 747 has previously gone on to be used as a prop in Star Wars, while others have been reconfigured for cargo. More are destined to end up in aeroplane ‘boneyards’ in desert locations.
The Deck is the latest addition at City Airport, which hosts regular events for all ages and even offers lessons at its flying schools. There are also three existing flight simulators at the airport's Manchester Flight Sim Centre which let visitors take the controls of three different aircraft including an Airbus A320.
Before The Deck arrives, fans can track its journey along the motorway on Instagram @thedeck747 or on this website. The company is offering thank you packages to aviation fans who donate to the project, which you can do so here.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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