History of 747's @ Griffiss Int'l Airport, Rome, NY

Sancho99504 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 1:13 am

I noticed 4 B747-200s sitting at Griffiss still wearing Transaero livery. 2 of them are VH-BOI and VH-BOM. There is a 747-300 that has been scrapped from the back of the wings to the tail, but the engines are still mounted to the wing and a US registered 747-200 without the wings next to the being scrapped out 300. I also noticed a former NW freighter N641US(?) Sitting across from the Scrapper. You could definitely tell it was former NW. Does anyone know the story of what they do here?

Big version: Width: 3264 Height: 2448 File size: 1361kb

transaero in rome, ny

[Edited 2012-08-30 18:22:03]

Thomas_Jaeger · Fri Aug 31, 2012 4:55 am

Transaero has a maintenance, repair and overhaul provider there called Midair USA that they closely work with.

bennett123 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:56 am

According to Airfleets, there are 5 retired Transaero B747-200's.

VP-BQB 2009

VP-BQE,VP-BQC,VP-BQH and VP-BPX 2011

The reg you quote seem incorrect, particularly as VH is Australia.

As for the B747-300, iirc, there was a discussion some time ago on Military about B747's that could be purchased to provide spares for AF1. There was some discussion about available B747-300's. Equally, could it be a B747-200SUD?.

Dalmd88 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:21 am

An MRO that was owned by IAI opened back in 2004/05. First called Empire Aero. They operate out of the former Air Force hangars. They do some 747 work, plus other big jet work. I think they did some c checks for B6 at one time. I don't know their current make up of work.

Sancho99504 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:59 am

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 2):

Good catch, I was a bit tired when I wrote the post last night, right now I'm looking at VP-BQH, VP-BQM, VP-BQB and VP-BPX. There is another 742 sitting in a different spot with a N219UP registration and then the partly scrapped out 747, that could very well be a 742SUD, but since there are no markings and no direct access, I can't be for sure.

The former NW bird is N661US instead of 641 as I previously reported.

Sancho99504 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:02 pm

Quoting Dalmd88 (Reply 3):

Quoting Thomas_Jaeger (Reply 1):

Never ceases to amaze me the far flung places that have MRO shops. Thanks for the info guys.

beefstew25 · Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:59 pm

Midair also has a facility in MLB. One 744 is getting worked on right now. Flew in from Narita. When they are done, they fly them to either Griffiss or Moscow.

Thomas_Jaeger · Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:40 pm

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 2):
VP-BQE,VP-BQC,VP-BQH and VP-BPX 2011

As far as I know VP-BQE has never left Domodedovo and is still there being used as a cabin trainer.

I agree with you though that highly likely the other B747 there is VP-BQC and not VP-BQM (do not think that one exists).

N661US is flying for Delta right now. N639US is at RME according to our database at www.ch-aviation.ch and several other sources.