BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3417 times:
Thanks so much to OD720 for taking these photos and uploading them to Airliners.net, but my heart was just broken.
MEA has 3 B707-320Cs sitting in Beirut, OD-AHE and OD-AHC which is being scrapped as can be seen below. The 3rd one had its registration removed a while ago and is sitting in the hanger with some parts missing.
Here is a a poor quality photo I took in 2003 and you can see where it is sitting:
Vatche Mitilian earlier this month took these two photos and it shows OD-AHC having been towed from the remote spot by the runways to the MidEast Aircraft Services Co. (MASCO) (MEA's maintenance subsidiary) hangers just north of the terminal and being taken apart:
Spacepope From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2738 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3344 times:
The MEA 707 fleet has been listed for sale on planemart, and have all ben on the market for over 5 years. There comes a timewhere you believe that nobody is going to buy them whole, so away they go as parts. It looks like they at least are being carefully disassembled, rather than being ripped to shreds by heavy machinery.
FLYSSC From France, joined Aug 2003, 7313 posts, RR: 61 Reply 3, posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3321 times:
They should find a solution to preserve at least one of them !
And not convert it into a restaurant, like they did few years ago with a B720 in Jounieh, that finally burned :
The problem is that nobody (or very few people) cares to preserve the Patrimony in this country. MEA's 707 are not just planes, they were a symbol of the airline and a symbole of the dark years for many people...and today, they are probably just considered as unseless old rusty pieces of metal !
Ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3283 times:
Though it is to be expected,it is a great shame that this classic bird which served MEA through some very difficult times had reached the end of ther road.
It would be superb if they could manage to keep one in a flyable condition,I for one would be out to BEY to have a 'jolly' on it.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 6, posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3255 times:
SpacePope,
Thanks for the information. I also believe TMA's 707s are on sale on that website...
FlySSC,
Very well said.
Ba319-131,
I agree. When we talked with Mohammed El-Hout (the CEO of MEA), we told him to consider keeping one of the 707s, probably OD-AHE (the one I was fortunate enough to visit). He said they'll consider it, but I'm not sure if they will make it flyable. Maybe they'll make it part of a musuem or something...
It does need some touch ups, it's getting dirty and worn out as you can see.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
FLYSSC From France, joined Aug 2003, 7313 posts, RR: 61 Reply 7, posted (8 years 7 months 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3206 times:
I understand that keeping ne aircraft in flyable conditions would cost too much money, and is quite impossible...
But preserving at least one aircraft, and convert it into a museum of the Aviation history in Lebanon, or something like that is something very feasable, and wouldn't cost millions of Dollars ! Anyway, so much money is wasted for useless project in the country... this time it would be for good cause !
MEA never stopped flying during the 15 years civil war, out of BEY under the bombings or out of LCA when BEY airport was dammaged and closed.
As I said, the MEA's B707 remain for many Lebanese THE symbole of a still alive country during the darkest years of its History. It's a "Devoir de mémoire" (duty of memory ?) to preserve one of them.
OD720 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 36 Reply 9, posted (8 years 7 months 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2961 times:
OD-AHC was moved to it's new location about 2 months ago, maybe a little less. Few weeks ago I saw some work being done on the tail and was obvious that it was being scrapped. It seems though that they are in no rush. I just hope that OD-AHE will be preserved as was promised. It's obvious that they wouldn't keep all 3. It's amazing how the paint on these planes is still intact.
MEA310 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2002, 660 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (8 years 7 months 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2781 times:
Eventhough I haven't flown on any of MEA's B707s,I feel passionate about these birds that served the airline under bombs and canon fire.When I read the story "Battle for survival" it made me even more aware of what the 707s offered to MEA.It's sad to see this aircraft broken up,but hopes remain that OD-AHE will be preserved.
Pers From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 7 months 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2640 times:
Back in 1989, Zambia Airways leased one of MEA's 707's. We flew from Johannesburg to Lusaka, and then on the 707 to Frankfurt via Rome, as well as back to Lusaka. That was really a great trip. They are such special aeroplanes.
DIA From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3273 posts, RR: 30 Reply 12, posted (8 years 7 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2586 times:
Here's hoping at least one of the MEA 707s is preserved.
One another note. . .I just wanted to thank BA for sharing those up-close pictures of the 707s in the original posting. Very few of us are ever able to experience what was portrayed in those photos - -looks like you had an interesting tour. I could almost smell all the aviation going (or not going) on there that day. . .all in the presence of just a few veteran 707s that didn't even blink an eye. . .or a beacon light in this case. Nice photos.
P.S. - In the photo showing underneath the 707 wing, you'll notice the extended flaps and on the inner-most set, you'll see extended "mini-flaps" right before the large ones (looks like they are at a 90degree agnle to the wing). Anyone know what these are called?
**Also notice how a piece of the fuselage (just under the red stripe) moves along with the extension of the main flaps. Neat stuff. Thanks BA.
Ding! You are now free to keep supporting Frontier.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 15, posted (8 years 7 months 17 hours ago) and read 2441 times:
Daddad525,
I fully agree. Speaking of the B720s MEA had, a number of them were sold to Pratt & Whitney Canada and some to Pratt & Whitney to be engine testbeds.
There are also some in Mojave.
I really do hope MEA preserves OD-AHE (the one in the best condition). I will try to see if I can contact the CEO of MEA, Mohammed El-Hout and see what he has to say. When we met him, he seemed open to the idea, but who knows...
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
ME Avn Fan From Switzerland, joined May 2002, 13874 posts, RR: 28 Reply 16, posted (8 years 7 months 10 hours ago) and read 2384 times:
Daddad, I do as well, and I also remember the two VC-10 of MEA. Comets and VC-10 unfortunately were destroyed in that Israeli terror attack on 28 Dec 1968 . I did not manage to fly the CV-990 but in Nov74 flew on a B720B of MEA to Beirut. Thoughts about flying MEA again then had to be given up as Lebanon half a year later plunged into that civil war.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 17, posted (8 years 7 months 2 hours ago) and read 2310 times:
That VC-10 that was destroyed by Israeli commandoes was leased from Ghana Airways, so it wasn't actually for MEA.
A total of 14 aircraft were destroyed in that attack, a brand new 3-month old MEA B707-320C fresh from the factory in Everett being one of the victims!
Then there are the 6 B720s destroyed by Israeli shelling in 1982.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Miamix707 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 2189 times:
They should put that last MEA 707 on static display, it looks interesting as it is no real need for a new paintjob at the moment.
Few companies can say they still possess a fully intact 707. How much money can get from parting these out and selling the parts anyways? I don't see where the demand is for 707 parts.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 20, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 2154 times:
I agree Miamix707. I really do hope they keep it on static display.
Speaking of 707 spare parts, the MASCO hangers are full of 707 parts. I don't know what they are going to do with them.
I think I saw my last 707 take-off that I will ever see in my entire life in summer 2003.
I spotted a TMA B707F taking off from runway 21. The sound it created was music to my ears and sent a vibration down my back. It was an amazing sight that I will never ever forget...
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Miamix707 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 2095 times:
BA, ..maybe put a TMA on static display also but probably that'll be asking too much.
Yes the 707s are just amazing to see in action with that whining noise and the smoke, that is the one plane I really miss here at Miami. Where are the TMA 707s flying to? if they still are
Kamboi From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 126 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 2083 times:
.......I must have flown one of the 707s between Beirut and Monrovia, Abidjan and Accra. The colors, titles just bring back memories for me. I think I liked that livery the best as compared to the current ones. It would be sad if they scrapped all. They should preserve at least one as a symbol and pride.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 23, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2060 times:
Miamix707,
Where are the TMA 707s flying to? if they still are
Unfortunately back in Feburary, the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) pulled TMA's operating certificate citing fears over the reliability of the old 707s that they operate.
So the planes are grounded in Beirut Airport and I don't think they will ever be flown again.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
DIA From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3273 posts, RR: 30 Reply 24, posted (8 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1988 times:
Hey BA.
Thought you might take an interest in this photo I found while researching your topic a bit more. It's a 720, so I figured it was similar enough.
Ding! You are now free to keep supporting Frontier.
25 OD720: I was at the airport on Friday and I saw that OD-AHC was moved away from OD-AHE about 30 meters. The good news is that OD-AHE looked in a better condi
26 BA: DIA, Thanks a lot for that photo! I remember I saw it a while ago, but thanks for bringing it up again! Let's hope for the best OD720... Regards
27 Alcregular: Does anyone know of any 707's still flying in Europe?
28 Miamix707: Does anyone know of any 707's still flying in Europe? As far as commercial flights, I'm pretty sure the answer is zero, unfortunately. However occatio
29 OD720: I have some photos of TMA 707s in the upload queue at the moment. It's not risky to take photos around Beirut and I and others walk around the airport
30 BA: Miamix707, I think you are refering to the two photos I took, but I do not recall ever saying that it was risky to take photos of Beirut. I was once i
31 OD720: I don't know in what shape the company is at the moment. If it's anything like what their hangar was the other day, I say their in a very bad shape. T
32 Miamix707: I think you are refering to the two photos I took, but I do not recall ever saying that it was risky to take photos of Beirut. it was a photo taken at
33 BENNETT123: Miamix707 Romania IS in Europe. Therefore any flight that they make probably will be as well.
35 BENNETT123: Nice picture. Glad that you did not get shot.
36 OD720: That photo caption is really funny. I don't think that there is any airport in the world where the security would shoot someone for taking picture of
37 Miamix707: yea It's a bit exaggerated, but in places like India it's illegal. I wonder what they would do to you there, I would guess no more than a small fine b
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, 
From Austria, joined Aug 2003, 164 posts, 
From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2738 posts, 
From France, joined Aug 2003, 7313 posts, 
From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined May 2002, 13874 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
