ZK-NBS sent to the wreckers

[Njbb1995]

It actually makes them quite alot of money. I saw a program (might be the same one as yours LMerraine) on Discovery or something about it.

[LMerraine]

I think they were trying to get $1million out of it, or needed to get at least that to cover costs, remember that is an earlier model 747 - the 747-400 instruments, engines and other serviceable parts will be worth more than what the early 747 would of got.

A toilet is worth something like 1200$us and even coffee makers are removed to sell on. Very little is left when it's completed.

The program was called Boneyard.

[ZKNBA]

Look what I found :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paullooby/4636650208/

Its sad to see the aircraft in this state.

[Ian Warren]

Looking at that , NBS is no more

[twinstarda42]

Farewell SUI
Air New Zealand said farewell to Boeing 747-441 ZK-SUI "Queenstown" 17Aug with the Jumbo flying its final passenger service for the airline as NZ99 from Auckland to Tokyo/Narita. It later positioned to Xiamen,

full story on mrc link:
http://mrcaviation.blogspot.com/2010/08/farewell-sui.html

[omitchell]

Theres a company in the states takes old 72's and turns em into houses. That would have made a lovely one

[deaneb]

Old fuselages can seem like a good idea for turning into houses and other novelty items, but in reality they are a huge liability. Unlike smaller aircraft that can be hangered, large aircraft left outside deteriorate if not cared for regularly and the type of care afforded them by airline maintenance is well beyond most aeroplane enthusiasts!! Firstly the paint will oxidise and lose its sheen, things will look dirty and then comes the mould and moss. In just a few short years your are left with an ugly hulk, that no amount of cleaning and polishing will maintain. Only a repaint will do and this is difficult to achive unless the proper stripping priming and painting products are used. Then there is the ever present concerns with corrosion too. It takes a lot of dedication, time and money to achive this and I admire they few museums and owners who have managed to succeed, particularly when climatic conditions are working against them.

[HamiltonWest]

ZK-SUJ Disappeared From NZ Skies 30 june 2011:
http://galonghaulnews.blogspot.com/2011/06...-june-2011.html

[Ian Warren]

Boy , that,s a sad site , lucky i can still operate my PMDG 747

[H500Fan]

I watched a doco on a complany dismantling a 747, they didn't just crush it into a ball and melt it, over 8 weeks the carefully pulled it apart and sold off every component, engine, nut and bolt they could. "Recycling" aircraft is a multi million dollar money making business.

Imagine building a terminal around one and it is the centre piece!

[deeknow]

That doco sounds interesting H500.
Just as a note to nyone who didnt read the blog post, ZK-SUJ isnt being scrapped, its to be converted into a freighter.

[cowpatz]

Correct. It was flown to Tel Aviv to be converted into a freighter. Not sure for which operator though. Down to 4 now:(

[Naki]

Is it true that 2 400s will be retained for the forseeable future or are all the 400s going?

What about you Steve ...are you converting to 777s?

[cowpatz]

At the moment the plan is to operate 3 to 4 for the rugby world cup. Until then it only operates 16 to 18 San Francisco flights a month and some adhoc charter work (Las Vegas grab a seats and Air Tahiiti Nui work). After that it will drop to 2 although I don't know how feasible it will be to operate a regular schedule with just 2 aircraft (maintenance and unserviceability issues etc).
The plan is to keep 2 until 2014 although I doubt that will be the case and is really dependent on oil price. The only reason that they are still around is that the delayed 787 introduction has had a big impact on capacity and stymied growth capability.
I will be keeping my butt in a 747 window seat for as long as possible. It is the best aircraft ever built.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Jul 11 2011,11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is the best aircraft ever built.

Now I really agree with that , I no its company programs and economic s but hells ARBUST has really created a real doosey , ugly as hell - crashs into everything and even injures 28 on evac testing , now the 747 is in its own realm , something Boeing really did well ...AGAIN !

[zk2704]

Very, Very sad to see all these 747s go , it makes a aviation expert like me cry. We will remember them although They are still the queen, the monarch of the skies!!, the 777s replacing them will even up the work of it's elder sibiling's work, This limits my time flying the 747-400 with the air new zealand repaint until 2014 when all 747s will exit from service as the 787s enters service after years of delays.

The 747-400 fleet, they will still be in our hearts and memories of us flightsimmers and aviation experts and enthusiasts.

ZK-NBS - retired from service 2009

ZK-SUI - retired from service 2010

ZK-SUJ - retired from service 2011

ZK-NBT - retired from service 2012

ZK-NBU - retired from service 2012

ZK-NBW - retired from service 2012

ZK-NBV - still in service, to be retired from service 2014

ZK-SUH - still in service, to be retired from service 2014

Sad to see them go.

[KiwiElf]

ANZ mate told me they (747) burns just over 1 million $ in fuel from AKL - LAX and that was the primary reason for phasing them out - real sad to see perfectly good airplanes getting wrecked (and don't get me started about the Concorde!... cest la vie).

Apparently they have 787 Dreamliners on order

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (KiwiElf @ Jun 9 2013,12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ANZ mate told me they (747) burns just over 1 million $ in fuel from AKL - LAX

If you get 400 PAX paying $2000 one way AKL-LAX ... no wonder Air New Zealand gets in financial strife , hope your mate dose not work for ANZ ... he's not with Govt department is he

[KiwiElf]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 9 2013,12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get 400 PAX paying $2000 one way AKL-LAX ... no wonder Air New Zealand gets in financial strife , hope your mate dose not work for ANZ ... he's not with Govt department is he

Haha yes he does (work for ANZ) - they're trying to retire him but he loves the perks too much "Progress" he says

[zk2704]

Yes, you guys are right, the reason the 747s are retiring is due to them not being fuel efficient. The amount of fuel in this planet is decreasing and global demand for fuel goes beyond exploration as one day, there will be no fuel. Thats the reason why fuel prices are rising above expectations to keep the 747 flying and long haul demand has been going down because of this. People from all over the world and fuel companies are trying to find fuel resources but enviromental groups like Greenpeace etc are stopping fuel companies from drilling oil. I dont know what the hell are Greenpeace doing to stop us from getting fuel! These problems are causing financial problems for airlines such as Air New Zealand wasting millions of dollars on aviation fuel and this is not good at all!!! They should leave us and our fuel companies alone and let them drill oil so our aircraft can stay in the fleet!! This is going to be a huge global problem for all the airlines. The losses suffered by all the airlines in the world is because of this! Even this is causing some airlines in the world to cease operations and/or merge with other airlines. The aviation industry is demanding for fuel and money and losing such special aircraft like these 747s! I am feeling very disappointed about the way enviromental groups are stopping aviation fuel from reaching us and these problems are getting worse and worse!! .