Here to stay Retired aircraft to become museum at airport
AN iconic British Airways jumbo jets has been saved from the scrapyard. The G-CIVB Boeing 747-400 aircraft in Negus livery was one of the final two Boeing 747s to leave Heathrow Airport after British Airways retired the fleet.
It made its final journey to Cotswold Airport at the beginning of October where crowds of aviation fans waited patiently to spot the jumbo, which joined G-BYGE, G-BYGA, G-BYGB, G-BYGF, G-CIVL and G-CIVN in Kemble.
BA has now donated the aircraft to Cotswold Airport to use as a museum, educational facility and events space – including for weddings – with all profits to be donated to the Flying Scholarship programme.
Cotswold Airport has said that at present the aircraft will remain on North Apron where there is no public access as it is airside.
The plan is to then move her onto a bespoke concrete pad on the grass at the back of Av8/the Control Tower, to allow ease of access for the public, but this is unlikely to be until after the new year, at the earliest.
Cotswold Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey confirmed the news and, speaking to the BBC, she said: “There is such a huge amount of interest as BA’S last commercially operated 747 and with the historic livery.”
She went on to say: “We have got a very good support network of people who are going to help us maintain it.”
A post calling for volunteers to help maintain and exhibit the aircraft was posted on the airport’s Facebook page.
It read: “We already have a few ex-747 pilots and crew helping. At this stage, any volunteers MUST be former 747 pilots, stewards or engineers/ground crew, preferably BA.
“If you fit this criterion and wish to be involved, please email the airport with your details and experience ( ops@ cotswoldairport.com).”
It went on to say: “Engineers would be particularly welcome. If you wish to be involved in other ways or wish to donate any BA, G-CIVB or associated memorabilia, please drop me a line direct. We will keep you posted on Victor Bravo’s developments.”
Following the news of the new chapter for the aircraft, a whole host of fans took to social media to celebrate – including This Country and Taskmaster’s Daisy May Cooper.
G-CIVB arrived at the airfield on the Gloucestershire/ Wiltshire border earlier this month after an emotional farewell at Heathrow. Poor weather on the day meant it was unable to land at the airport on schedule and was instead left circling over villages east of Cirencester, doing as many as seven laps of the area.
But more than 200 people lined the roads and area around the former RAF Kemble site to welcome her to what will now be her new home.
Air Salvage International stores historical aircraft, including a range of jumbo jets and 747s, at its base on the site. They have already taken delivery of several of the BA fleet.
The planes are visible from the airfield and the A429 which runs alongside the runway – but visitors are reminded it is still an active airfield and strict rules are in place.
Staff have warned visitors not to try to sneak through the gates as they will be caught on CCTV.