8th October 2020. Dark grey skies; a dismal wet and windy Heathrow - perhaps a fitting ending marking the final 2 British Airways 747s to leave Heathrow Airport. What a contrast to the bright sunny day in July 1989 when the first 2 747-400s were delivered brand new to BA; G-BNLA and BNLC.
Here is a film then of both events - the last 2 747s to leave; G-CIVY as flight BA 747 (bound for St Athan Wales, almost certainly for scrap) and G-CIVB as flight BA 400; heading for Kemble Cotswolds (hopefully) for preservation; PLUS a look back at the first 2 747s delivered to BA in 1989 (I remember it well!)
Today at Heathrow, the wind was gusting quite strongly and the rain did nothing to improve visibility - resulting in both 747s disappearing into the overcast remarkably quickly.
G-CIVY flew a circuit around the Airport and came back for a missed approach (flypast), which was quite a poignant sight.
The Air Traffic Control Comms are all captured- including the farewell signoff by the crew on board G-CIVY; the last BA 747 to fly from or over Heathrow.
So enjoy the end and look back with nostalgia at the "3 minute" film within the film; showing the shiny new 747-400s arriving at Heathrow, landing simultaneously.
As Lord King, Chairman of British Airways at the time the new aircraft were delivered says about the 747-400 in the film I've included:
"It's as good as you can get; I suppose one day they'll make something better - but that's it at the moment".....how true are those words....