Strange plane in Australia

I too thought it would have been easier and cheaper to start with a real 747 but I am advised that it’s scratch-built. In any case, all real 747s in the area are otherwise accounted for. The second cockpit lower down the nose is apparently intended to represent that of an A380. I’m guessing that the framework tail is to reduce wind loading.

It looks very much to me like a modified Boeing 747 with its original fin removed, its outer engines removed and wing sections clipped, its nose modified to create a second “standard” cockpit position, and heavy panelling over the cabin area for explosive and gun fire training?

The fuselage seems short for a 747-400 etc, and seems very much like the “length” of the 747SP, but its upper deck length and “twin” window spacing seem more like a 747-300 or 400 series, as does the main fuselage window spacing, there are the 5 seperate rows along the main cabin but the final row seems short, equally the reducing top cabin height at the fin attach is not standard “747”.

Qantas had two such 747SP’s – VH-EAA retired in 2002 and returned to Qantas at Marana where it was stored? VH-EAB went via a similar route it 2001 so its neither of those.

I suspect its a 747-300 or 400 series, perhaps with a cut and past rear fuselage/tail job to shorten it, hence the fake fin and rudder?

It also seems to have a beefed up lower fuselage and nose gear installation?

Qantas disposed of VH-EBU a 747-338 “Nalanji Dreaming” and it remains intact at Avalon airport but with its aboriginal paintscheme painted out, where it had been used for such training, and well as film use.

Of course a second hand 747-300/400 (or 747SP?) acquired and flown into RAAF Pearce for such a purpose need not be an ex-QANTAS aircraft in anycase.

regards

Mark Pilkington

B737?

Well remembered. Wiki even confirms the presence of the mock up!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Base_Pearce

Now what was the identity of the original plane?:diablo:

I’m guessing the fin is frangible to allow for the odd mis-hap.

THe OP posted a link, which although I can’t get to work, does contain co-ordinates. The Mock up is located at Pearce Airfield. 30 kms North of Perth International, adjacent to the town of Bullsbrook.

Focus on the location.

The SASR are located at Campbell Barracks, Perth, Western Australia.

The largest airport is Perth but it is unlikely that they would be conducting terrorist training exercises as such a large and public facility. The next candidate would be Jandakot airport, but this is a very busy GA airport and the photo does not suggest a well used airport or runway. The third candidate would be Merredin aerodrome the China Southern training facility. So over to you!

But then the attack/rescue teams would only be trained for a B747. This aircraft has various configurations, note the 2 cockpits for a start. We may be up-side-down to you lot, but we’re not daft.

Very clever.
I wonder if it used a real 747 as a start…to avoid building the entire back end or whether it’s all new build?

Now that’s what a future Jumbo needs, some window in the front for a viewing lounge.

Australia
Australian Army Aviation has 35 S-70A-9 Black Hawks in service as of January 2010.[95]
5th Aviation Regiment (Australia)
B Squadron
6th Aviation Regiment (Australia)
171st Aviation Squadron (Australia) From Wiki.

As for the location of the twin cockpit 747, who knows? 😀

My brother-in-law has been flying Blackhawks in the Australian Army for years.

Very interested in the Blackhawks flying alongside and the location of this mock-up.
The helicopters are from the American forces, unless the Australian Army has been hiding things.

But then the attack/rescue teams would only be trained for a B747. This aircraft has various configurations, note the 2 cockpits for a start. We may be up-side-down to you lot, but we’re not daft.

Interesting.

I am sure they could have picked up a cheap and real B747.

Ah after a bit of searching it appears to be a mock 747 with 2 engines, but recent work commissioned by the defence dept for SASR has extended the upper deck ( A380 ish).

So its an anti terorist training mockup I think.

Looks like a fire trainer to me.