747-400 VH-OJT retired

[AisleSeat]

So while the plane left BNE on the weekend, I've just seen this video posted over on Twitter of the plane landing in Mojave.

It's been stripped of all logos. Is that normal? If it's going to the graveyard, why bother?

Matt Hartman on Twitter

 

[kelvedon]

From the photos I've seen of aircraft stored in the Mojave Desert a lot do have their decals removed or disguised, though not all. Maybe the ones still showing insignia are just being temporarily stored there, as opposed to being scrapped?

 

[kpro]

I know aircraft retirement is defined by heavy maintenance schedules, but it's interesting to see this is a 'refurbed' plane with Skybed MK2. Would be good to see Qantas retire the last 747 with sloping Skybeds and Rockwell Collins IFE (VH-OEB).

 

[Denali]

.... Maybe the ones still showing insignia are just being temporarily stored there, as opposed to being scrapped?

I dont know what I stumbled across a week or so ago on Foxtel but they were showing a number of planes are still cared for (tyres covered/air pressure maintained, electricals checked) regularly in case the plane is brought into service quickly. No idea who/what country are buying these mothballed planes.

 

[eminere]

I know aircraft retirement is defined by heavy maintenance schedules, but it's interesting to see this is a 'refurbed' plane with Skybed MK2. Would be good to see Qantas retire the last 747 with sloping Skybeds and Rockwell Collins IFE (VH-OEB).

Agreed.

 

[justinbrett]

There was a sixty minutes story a few years ago where they flew on the last QF pax 767 to the graveyard. You can probably find it on YouTube.

It’s standard practice for Qantas to paint over the tail and logo. I’d say it’s for PR reasons mostly, they don’t want you seeing pictures of their former planes gathering dust and fading.

 

[jb747]

It may be standard practice, but I wish they wouldn't do it. The aircraft's previous ownership is quite obvious (unless they use a lot more paint). These aircraft have given long, and faithful service, and should be allowed to fade out gracefully.

For the people who flew them, they are almost living beings. They can have quite individual characters, good or bad. It's only the office dwellers who see them as nothing but machines.