Spotted Aircraft

[docjames]

No, not polka-dot aircraft.

This thread is for members who see unusual aircraft at home and around the world.

Two examples:

Cubana IL-96 spotted in JNB today, still here following Mandela's memorial service. Can't see any other head-of-state aircraft so wonder why this one is still here? See tiny blob on hard stand in background!



Also in JNB a red-tailed ("Qantas" Red) with titles removed 747-300. Too far away to get a rego. Wonder who's bought it. Couldn't get a photo as no electronics until doors open.

Anyway, there's a couple of examples to kick it off.

Could also be a place for those who don't want to do a full TR but wanted to share something that's not often reported here (eg. Ill post a couple of pics of the SAA A320 J class but don't have enough for a full TR).

Post away.

 

[seanpodge]

Don't have the pictures sadly, but in PEK in August this year I saw in the same taxiing run:
- An Air Koryo Soviet/Russian jet (not sure what model)
- An Air Iran 747-100 (it looks tiny to someone like me who's only seen 747-400s).

Also, I saw in SIN a 787 that wasn't on fire. Does that count?

 

[NM]

- An Air Iran 747-100 (it looks tiny to someone like me who's only seen 747-400s).

Was it really a 747-100 or was it a 747-SP? The -100 is basically the same size as a -400, just with a shorter upper deck. One way to differentiate the -100 from -200 is the number of windows on the upper deck. The upper decks are the same length, but the -100 will only have 3 windows on each side. The -SP is physically shorter (and taller!) than the -100, -200, -300, -400 models.

 

[markis10]

Was it really a 747-100 or was it a 747-SP? The -100 is basically the same size as a -400, just with a shorter upper deck. One way to differentiate the -100 from -200 is the number of windows on the upper deck. The upper decks are the same length, but the -100 will only have 3 windows on each side. The -SP is physically shorter (and taller!) than the -100, -200, -300, -400 models.

Not all 100 models have three windows on the upper deck, the sole Iran Air version is a case in point:

EP-IAM - Iran Air Boeing 747-100 at London - Heathrow | Photo ID 66184 | Airplane-Pictures.net

Some 100s actually had the stretched upper deck, making them easy to confuse with a 300.

 

[NM]

Not all 100 models have three windows on the upper deck, the sole Iran Air version is a case in point:

EP-IAM - Iran Air Boeing 747-100 at London - Heathrow | Photo ID 66184 | Airplane-Pictures.net

Looks like some (perhaps many) were modified after delivery with additional windows on the upper deck (the Boeing "Crown Skin Modification"???). So perhaps my identification method won't be reliable. A 747 with 3 windows on the upper deck will be a -100, but you can also find -100s with 8 or even 10 windows installed.

 

[NM]

Here is an example of a BA 747-136 that was delivered with 3 windows per side on the upper deck:

and in its later life:

 

[markis10]

Many left the factory with all the windows, Boeing quickly realised it was needed when passengers were being carried in the upper deck, some as I mentioned have 18 ex factory!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Japanese_jal_B747_old.JPG

 

[NM]

Many left the factory with all the windows, Boeing quickly realised it was needed when passengers were being carried in the upper deck, some as I mentioned have 18 ex factory!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Japanese_jal_B747_old.JPG

That's interesting. I found another suggestion that it was QF that requested the additional windows with their deliveries of the -200 series. Of course it was not what I would normally call a reliable source so I won't quote it here.

 

[seanpodge]

Was it really a 747-100 or was it a 747-SP? The -100 is basically the same size as a -400, just with a shorter upper deck. One way to differentiate the -100 from -200 is the number of windows on the upper deck. The upper decks are the same length, but the -100 will only have 3 windows on each side. The -SP is physically shorter (and taller!) than the -100, -200, -300, -400 models.

Perhaps an SP then. It really did look like a kiddie version of the 747-400 from my window seat. If it wasn't for the top deck and four engines, it could have been confused with a large single aisle plane. I just assumed it was a -100 because the sanctions would have prevented them getting anything newer.

 

[markis10]

Perhaps an SP then. It really did look like a kiddie version of the 747-400 from my window seat. If it wasn't for the top deck and four engines, it could have been confused with a large single aisle plane. I just assumed it was a -100 because the sanctions would have prevented them getting anything newer.

This is one of their SPs at KUL earlier this year.

 

[seanpodge]

This is one of their SPs at KUL earlier this year.

Yeah, that looks pretty familiar.