Rip rp-c8016

[Steve Bottom]

HeavyLift B727F RP-C8016 is facing the chop today in Cairns, all useful bits are off the aircraft, and a large metal chomper is airside,
Information is that it will be scrapped later this afternoon, after some safety fencing is placed around the aircraft.

I believe that the nose section is to be saved intact , and reported going to Longreach , but i have not been able to confirm this . Lets hope its true.

I think This is a direct result of the new Fed Gov noise restrictions on older aircraft, as the 727 was based in Cairns ,but can no longer operate out of here any more, and was not able to attract a buyer for it.

RIP 727 ......

[steve k]

Sad to read this, but thanks for the info. Hope the nose section is saved and sent to Longreach.:(

[Torin Wilson]

Saving the nose section is like executing someone and keeping their head as a reminder.

[Jarden S]

Here is a photo of her with the side engines off. It be a big change once it has gone as has been in the same spot for years and you always pass it and notice it when on the captain cook highway.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2zq90xx.jpg

[Kent Broadhead]

Is the Belfast still there? Both were sitting doing nothing when I was there over a year ago - well before the noise decision......

[Steve Bottom]

I understand the Belfast is safe, it's on the loop taxi way (international) and some one is looking at it soon, lets hope it gets saved.

[Jarden S]

Yes the Belfast is parked right by the 727 you just can't see it in my shot.

[Dave Dale]

I can confirm that NO part of the 727 will be going to Longreach!

Dave

[Mick F]

Makes a bit more sense Dave, as Qantas never operated the 727.

Mick

[Steve Bottom]

i can confirm the nose is going no where as it fell over onto the bloody thing
I stopped and went home at that stage, just in case the whole thing got skipped , gauges and all.
my pictures at

http://sirsteveincairns.smugmug.com/Other/DESTRUCTION-OF-RP-C8016/13983237_Fw8se

[James Smith]

Oh that hurts to look at. Thanks for the sequence of photos Steve. How long did the break up take up until you left.

[Radi K]

Sad :(

[phil.l]

Thanks for showing them Steve.

[Steve Bottom]

it took over 2 days to do, i left when most of the top was done, the plan was for the cockpit to be saved, i don't think they did it too well , Im guessing that they are still there today finishing the job and cleaning up, for those of you who have been to Cairns and seen the 727 and Belfast side by side for the last two years, will understand how hard it was to watch this happen, Plus now its just not there when you drive past, going to take some time to get used to !

Lets all hope the Belfast gets sold and saved, the price was advertised for around $1 Million USD.

[Jarden S]

Was at airport today nothing left of the 727 except the nose it seems a little strange not there any more it will be missed by many of the airport staff I reckon.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

There was a show 'The Boneyard' on 7Mate the other night which starts off with the crunching up of a yellow Philippine 747 and lots of pics of the few boneyards around LA and Las Vegas.

It was more about what they do with the scrap but also showed a Tower Air 747 wings being removed and used in the building of a modern villa at Malibu.

Just sad to see these planes being broken up but what can you do with hundreds of them around the world? You can't preserve them all but the airlines and museums could have been a bit more active in preserving certain types.

At least they haven't destroyed any Concordes - yet!

[Blake Riley]

At least they haven't destroyed any Concordes - yet!

If i recall im pretty sure F-BVFD was scapped

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Okay Blake will have to check that out.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Yep you're right b/u at CDG in 1994. One of two AF Concordes I never saw.