MOTORISTS driving along the M6 in Cheshire were treated to a rather unusual sight this afternoon, Thursday.

This was in the form of the huge top deck of a 747 plane as it was transported using the motorway on its final journey.

Part of what was one of British aviation’s last 747s used for commercial flying, the deck was carted from Kemble on the edge of the Cotswolds up to Manchester.

On arrival, it will become ‘The Deck’ – a unique visitors centre, flight simulator and tourist attraction.

Local airline memorabilia company Doors2Manual are now setting up The Deck at City Airport in Salford.

It will not only save the flight deck and top deck cabin from scrappage, but also provide a lasting and permanent tribute to one of aviation history’s most-loved passenger aircraft.

The Deck will provide the perfect setting for educational and leisure tours, with the chance to get up close and personal with the pilot’s seat, and even take the controls to fly her as she becomes the UK's only 747 flight sim using a real aircraft flight deck.

Doors2Manual also has plans to create the Insta-dream wedding and conference venue for self-styled ‘AvGeeks’ looking for the perfect day or that alternative staff away day location.

Drew Hanna, co-founder of Doors2Manual and director of The Deck said: “This has been a dream of ours for a long, long time, and we are so excited to be finally getting ready for G-BYGA’s final journey to our hangar.

“I do not think many of us will have witnessed a Boeing 747 driving up the motorway before, so it is a sight many families and flight fanatics will never forget.”

The Boeing 747 was the UK travel industry’s most high-profile casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the final 38 were sent for early retirement.

British Airways scrapped all 31 of its 747s – 10 per cent of its entire fleet, while Virgin Atlantic put its last seven of the iconic aircraft out to pasture.

A previously released 747 has gone on to movie stardom as a prop in Star Wars and others have been reconfigured for cargo.

More will end up in airplane ‘boneyards’, gathering dust in a distant desert in a far cry from their former glories, or even be recycled into drink cans.

Karen Kearns, operations manager at Doors2Manual and Director, added: “The journey to Manchester’s original airport is just the start of a second life for the old girl, and we are so privileged to be able to give her a bright future.

“More than that, we know The Deck is going to provide the perfect backdrop to so many special days for flight fans.
“We cannot wait to see people come back through the doors for tours, events and to get behind the yoke and fly her.”

You can get more information on the progress of The Deck and live updates on the journey timings via @thedeck747 on Instagram.