Virgin 747 at Cambridge Airport

I live just by the airport and have noticed a Virgin 747 there... any ideas as to why/how?

See this thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=292040

It seems G-VBIG is just being stored there until she goes to be refitted in the LGW config.

Thank you Interesting!

At least it wasn't Kemble... they soon strip them down there!

Im surprised they can take off there... the runway is pretty short. Hope I catch it!

Im surprised they can take off there... the runway is pretty short. Hope I catch it!

I would guess that without 300+ people onboard - the length required for take off is reduced a bit?

Im surprised they can take off there... the runway is pretty short. Hope I catch it!

I would guess that without 300+ people onboard - the length required for take off is reduced a bit?

Yep, a bit, and with virtually no fuel, freight or bags...can go up like a proper rocket if required I imagine!

I didn't know Cambridge had an airport! Looking at it on Google Maps, it must be taking up a large proportion of their apron space.

I didn't know Cambridge had an airport! Looking at it on Google Maps, it must be taking up a large proportion of their apron space.

It's basically a Marshall Aerospace facility used most often for military maintenance can also be used for civilian work. Short history here

She is parked at the side of a hangar so not taking up much space at all. I know someone who works there and she has said in the past they can easily have an un-laden 747 in there. They also have Hercules based there for maintenance etc.

BA use it for training runs as often you see one of their metal doing take off and landing on a loop for hours.

Not sure I would want to be in one of the houses at the end of the runway when BIG finally leaves though....!!

BA also use it for maintenance. They regularly send 772's there and also sent their 788's through in the early days of having them to have a midification. 763's have also been through in the past year.
I remember going past there a good few years ago and seeing a load of TriStars in there, ex Air India models I think.......

I didn't know Cambridge had an airport! Looking at it on Google Maps, it must be taking up a large proportion of their apron space.

It's basically a Marshall Aerospace facility used most often for military maintenance can also be used for civilian work. Short history here

Thanks for this interesting link. I grew up in Peterborough around the Marshalls car dealerships, but had no idea of the history.