British Airways' 747s become key chains, military jet engines luxury watches
So many people wonder what happens to aircraft when they are decommissioned and retired, the answers are different: [...]
British Airways
Many people wonder what happens to aircraft when they are decommissioned and sent to retirement, the answers are different: some come disassembled to reuse parts that are still good, others are instead being demolished because they are now too old and obsolete, others are also being sold auction to aviation enthusiasts (who have an evidently very large garden).
In this article:
Instead, here are some aircraft parts taking on new life by becoming...souvenir!
Key chains made from wing, fuselage or tail parts are becoming very fashionable, aviation enthusiasts are many and have not missed the opportunity to own a piece of the first Airbus A380, sold by Aviationtag for about 30€, which are now collector's items.
The pieces of the British Airways Boeing 747.
As we know, unfortunately, the production of the world-famous Jumbo Jet has been discontinued and there are many airlines that have decided to saying goodbye to the Boeing 747.
British Airways itself decided to transform an iconic Jumbo Jet in a museum, to relive the moments spent in heaven and thank the millions of passengers who have had the pleasure of traveling with this giant of the skies.
One of these flight nostalgics saw fit to found tailfins.co.uk with the goal of giving new life to its beloved Boeing 747s. The company has decided to buy some pieces of the aircraft and make key chains in the shape of the Jet's upper fin.
Only 190 were produced and they literally went to steal! Part of a Plane, the company involved in the marketing of these kinds of gadgets, has in fact reported the sold-out of all 190 key chains.
After the success recorded, Tailfins began new productions, arriving at edition number 3, dedicated to the 25th birthday of Boeing 777.
For the occasion, they managed to get their hands right on the first Boeing 777-200, delivered to British Airways in 1995. The fuselage pieces have now become a nice souvenir to take home, limited edition of 110 pieces that, needless to say, are already sold-out.
We are sure Tailfins will not stop here, soon we will see more iconic planes come to life!
Calamai watches, built from the turbine of the Air Force's F104
Staying on the subject of artifacts made from aircraft parts, how can we not mention Orologi Calamai, which makes the cases of its timepieces from the steel of the F104 turbine.
It is about the Lockheed F104 Starfighter, the supersonic fighter jet that for more than 40 years served the United States Air Force, as well as NASA and theItalian Air Force, albeit with some minor modifications.
Retired from service in 2004 now takes on new life, somewhat like the keychain derived from the first Boeing 747 of British Airways, only this time it is something more beautiful and fascinating: wristwatches.
The manufacturing house is called Calamai Watches and encapsulates all the passion for such an iconic military aircraft as the F104 Starfighter:
All the cases of the Calamai Watches are made by casting steel from a G.E turbine. of an F104 Starfighter. The back of the watch also bears the number of the freshman Of the turbine. All cases are strictly hand-finished so that every detail is not overlooked.
Aeritalia produced 230 F104 Starfighters, of which 124 were destined for the Air Force, its main use was to intercept and destroy infrared-guided air-to-air missiles; it was also used by other special forces such as fighter-bomber.
The F104 was also operational in the air forces of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Taiwan, Spain, and Turkey, as well as, of course, Italy and the United States where 10 examples are even owned by private citizens!
Orologi Calamai also produces a special chronograph used exclusively by "Ruolo Naviganti" personnel of the Air Force. The passion for flying and watches is melt together, making true one-of-a-kind collectibles.
