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Aircraft:
Boeing 747SP-86
- Reg: EP-IAA full info | EP-IAA photos
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Serial #:
20998
- Airline: Iran Air
- Photo Date: Oct 09, 2012
- Uploaded: Jun 24, 2014
- Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Int'l - VABB, India
Last week Alpha Alpha operated for the last time when is flew the BOM-IKA route operating as IR811. This was manufactured back in 1975, hats off to the maintenance team at Iran Air to keep it flying for so long. The SP was a regular at BOM and on of the highlights of the BOM traffic, this will now be dearly missed. Alpha-Alpha's parts will be used to get Alpha-Charlie back in the air and might soon see it in BOM.
SP stands for special performance and Boeing had traditionally built this on the request of Pan Am and Iran Air for ultra long haul routes, IR wanted a plane for Tehran-New York routes, the shortened fuselage and a longer tail meant lesser weight, fuel saving and a faster cruising speed as compared to other airliners. This didn't do great in sales but the primary users were Iran Air, Pan Am(launch customer), South African, Qantas, United, Yemenia.
For a few years now Iran Air was the only commercial airline to fly this, while several state governments use it, NASA also has one named SOFIA.
In BOM, the biggest fanboy of this aircraft I ever know is SANAT GABA, and this shot is dedicated to him & maintenance crew in IR.
Photographer
Aircraft
Photo location
Photographer
Notes
Last week Alpha Alpha operated for the last time when is flew the BOM-IKA route operating as IR811. This was manufactured back in 1975, hats off to the maintenance team at Iran Air to keep it flying for so long. The SP was a regular at BOM and on of the highlights of the BOM traffic, this will now be dearly missed. Alpha-Alpha's parts will be used to get Alpha-Charlie back in the air and might soon see it in BOM.SP stands for special performance and Boeing had traditionally built this on the request of Pan Am and Iran Air for ultra long haul routes, IR wanted a plane for Tehran-New York routes, the shortened fuselage and a longer tail meant lesser weight, fuel saving and a faster cruising speed as compared to other airliners. This didn't do great in sales but the primary users were Iran Air, Pan Am(launch customer), South African, Qantas, United, Yemenia.
For a few years now Iran Air was the only commercial airline to fly this, while several state governments use it, NASA also has one named SOFIA.
In BOM, the biggest fanboy of this aircraft I ever know is SANAT GABA, and this shot is dedicated to him & maintenance crew in IR.
Camera
Canon EOS 1100D | Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 II Show Exif data-
Aircraft
- Reg: EP-IAA full info | EP-IAA photos
-
Aircraft:
Boeing 747SP-86
- Airline: Iran Air
-
Serial #:
20998
-
Photo Location
-
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Int'l - VABB
- India
Comments
A beautiful dedication on an photo equally deserving of praise. Acknowledging a fellow spotter also shows the generosity of your heart, Yatrik. It is a pleasure to have spotters like you in the Aviation Photographers India group. Congratulations and kudos.
A fitting message on the farewell of this beauty from India. How I have longed to see the SP, but for now will fulfill my desire through your photo. Cheers and well done.
Great Capture Yatrik, Once She Was a Regular Visitor to DAC Around 2001/2/3. I Wish I Could Take a Shot of Her.