747 question

[flyer68211]

Hi all--John here. I don't know how many of you have seen the program Top Gear but there's a 747 parked on the ramp(it's a deactivated RAF base i think)' and on the R?H wing there is a wing tank outboard of the engines.Anyone know what it's for? I know the used a 747 for the engine tests when the were developing the 777...but this is the first time i've ever seen a wing tank on a 747. Any help would be appreciated>>>John

 

[NickB]

I think that 747 was used in the Bond movie "Casino Royale". Its four engines are grouped in two pairs like on a B-52. I believe the engines and tanks are just cosmetic scenery for the film.

 

[Tom Clayton]

Here's the history on the airframe:
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/q0297.shtml

Edit: The video link in that article is now dead, and apparently also misrepresented. The VW did tow it, but on "5th Gear."

[YOUTUBE]05zRyoBbcfI[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Matt Wynn]

5th Gear! at the TG test track..... thems grounds for war!