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VIP 747sp Seating Plan
VIP 747sp Seating Plan
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A4O-SO (cn 21785/405) taking off from Frankfurt
Main in December 1997
Photo Konstantin von Wedelstaedt via www.airliners.net
As written on the page about G-ASIX/A4O-AB the Omani registration was removed from
the VC10 in December 1991. This was because the Sultan wanted to be able to use it on
another aircraft. It turned up on a newly aquired Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream IV as
shown on the photos below.
Another interesting aircraft which currently flies in these colours is Airbus A320 A4O-AA,
which fits nicely with the ex-VC10 registration now in use by the Gulfstream pictured
above. With these three types I would say that most of the transportation needs would be
catered for.
I only discovered recently that between 1984(?) and 1992(?) there was also a DC-8
registered A4O-HMQ flying in the Omani house colours. This aircraft was a Super 73
conversion sporting CFM56-2 engines similar to those found on re-engined 707s. With this
modification it was probably certified to Stage III levels making it a quite useful type. I
guess that in the end the 747s were adequate for the job and because of this the DC-8 moved
on to carrying cargo for Southern Air. A shame really as it would have kept another classic
design flying in this special role.
So what does a Sultan's aircraft look like inside? Although unverified, the layout below is
what the Boeing 747SP might look like. Some features:
- Executive quarters on upper deck
- Main entry hall
- Large forward lounge in the nose
- Elevator to forward cargo hold
- Built in air stairs from forward cargo hold
- Two bedrooms with twin beds, but seats only for crew rest!