Mineralogy MD-82 status?

[Nigel C]

Does anyone know the current status of VP-CBH and VP-CBI?

[MarkR]

Both were founding members of the Brisbane graveyard, which has a growing number of members, and probably will stay grounded until the dispute with Minerology and its Chinese partner over royalties gets sorted.

[Greg Hyde]

Dated (May 31, 2014) but may be still relevant

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/clive-palmers-10m-in-taxhaven-jets-sitting-idle/story-e6frgczx-1226937815115

[Nigel C]

I found something from 2015 that suggested that CBH was being maintained in some capacity, including engine runs. I couldn't find anything after that time.
http://www.airteamimages.com/mcdonnell-douglas-md-80_VP-CBH_mineralogy_214727.html

[Greg Hyde]

Nigel,

The old Brisbane spotters blog has a section on airport wrecks.

It has since been removed.

It had details on these two.

Lloyd may still have access to the data.

[Robert.M]

Have you tried archive.org (http://www.archive.org) to see if it may have archive the blog post? :)

[lloyd fox]

Both are parked north of the GA terminal .I believe several months ago they were examined to see if they were flyable.One requires a new engine i believe .Nothing has occurred since.

My personal opinion is that they will never fly again.

[Nigel C]

Thanks for the update Lloyd :)

[lloyd fox]

No probs Nigel.If you look at google maps for BNE airport they have a 2016 update now you can see them very clearly when you focus in.Just move the map further north and you can see the black bitumen of the GA apron and look towards Runway 14/32.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1VrWK-jTlPlm0il-VFjXX06OP4PM&hl=en_US

[Nigel C]

Was parking them tail-tail like that at Clive's request in case he needed to make a quick getaway?

It's also interesting that BAC has closed the taxiway off to allow for them to be parked long-term. I'm guessing that end of the airfield isn't used much?

[lloyd fox]

Yes Nigel.RWY 14 is used for landings only only when 01 is in operation and all aircraft roll through to the end of 14 now for the GA apron .RWY 32 is used for departures using the eastern taxyway when 19 or 01 is in operations.

If 32 is used for arrivals which is extremely rare i would assume backtracking the end half of the runway would be used then again the northern and eastern taxyways to the GA.

Cheers.

[MarkR]

I might have missed them but there appeared to be no stored aircraft last night?

[lloyd fox]

They were there on the morning of the 20th Mark and i photographed them on the 17th June as well.

Cheers.

[MarkR]

Thanks Lloyd, must have had too many wines on my trans Tasman flight!