NZFF

But in an aviation context of course.
I found this 747-SP model for X-Plane....its a bit dated, but has made its way to XP-12.
The clincher was the price...nothing! A very kind person spent a lot of time to build this, and charged nothing.
You cant just cut down a 747 (any version) and make an SP......

"Apart from its shortened length – to optimize range and speed efficiencies – there were several differences adapted to the design of the 747SP. Rather than six cabin doors on each side, there are only four. Its flaps were also simplified to single pieces on the trailing edges instead of the triple-slotted flaps of standard 747s. To counteract the decrease in yaw moment-arm due to the shortened fuselage, the 747SP’s tailplane is larger vertically and horizontally."

There are some texture issues, but again it wasn't designed for XP12.

Anyway......

Marty - was it Cathay who used to top up the fuel on these after taxying out, so they could make London non-stop?

Not sure mate, thanks for looking.

Nice ..I remember the Qantas SPs when they serviced Wellington

Naki wrote:Nice ..I remember the Qantas SPs when they serviced Wellington

Niki is correct. He saved me time mentioning this. Splitpin can recreate the historic Qantas 747SP flight out of NZWN

Regards,

Aharon

emfrat wrote:Marty - was it Cathay who used to top up the fuel on these after taxying out, so they could make London non-stop?

I believe Cathay Pacific never operated 747SPs

Regards,

Aharon

In 1981 and 1982 I had a few trips across the ditch in the Qantas 747SP between Wellington and Brisbane and the last trip from Sydney to Wellington.

Thanks for looking gents....and your memories.
Qantas had a service into NZCH with the SP years ago (I think on a Sunday). My ex and I would sometimes go out to the "cheers" bar, upstairs in the old terminal for lunch, and watch it arrive.

Splitpin wrote:Not sure mate, thanks for looking.

In 1983 they got some 747s with modified RB-211s giving better fuel economy. Prior to that, the "non-stop" to London paused at Bahrein for fuel, which is probly where the 'topping up at the end of the runway' story came from.