Air New Zealand 744

[Joseph Saragozza.]

again browsing through pictures i cam across this Air NZ 744 ZK-NBS
at Auckland with titles and engines removed.

whats the reason for this? dose any body know any more information of her fate other then what is says in the caption/remark?

very sad sight, hope to see her flying soon! :(

Airframe details:
Construction Number 24386
Line Number 756
Aircraft Type Boeing 747-419
First Flight 03-10-1989
Age 19.6 Years

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-(Air-New/Boeing-747-419/1526597/M/

[Dan Hammond]

It's the aircraft that was used in the bio fuel test.

It will be parted out i have heard.

[Nigel C]

Is it safe to say the bio-fuel test didn't go as planned if it's being broken up? Or was it about to be retired anyway?

[Marty H]

Marty, please do not quote the entire post directly above yours, it is not necessary -Mod

Had planned to be retired, primary reason that aircraft was choosen to do the Bio-fuel test.

Its a sight people need to get used to the days of the fuel guzzling B744 are limited in pax version.

[NickN]

Surely there are carriers flying classics that would purchase the 744 and get rid of their older models?

I assume this was a RR powered aircraft?

[Marty H]

Marty, please do not quote the entire post directly above yours, it is not necessary -Mod


Im fairly sure all ANZ B744's are RR powered like similar QF B744's and I think (someone can correct me if Im wrong) ANZ and QF are compensated due to the fact the RR's arent as fuel efficent as the GE engines???

[Tom PER]

-NBS, NBT and NBU are RR powered the rest are GE's.

ZK-NBS has been advertised for sale for ages and it's appears it might be worth more in parts. It's done nearly 90,000hrs.

I recently read that -NBT and -NBU are going to become freighters but not for ANZ.

[Michael Morrison]

I flew in about 2 weeks ago during the day and counted 5 NZ 744's parked up on the ground which I thought was quite alot!

I guess they aren't doing as many trans tasman flights with them??? or a result of some of their reduced services?

[NickN]

I thought their trans-tasman services were predominantly A320/767/777 and the 744's were only used on special occasions such as sporting fixtures etc.