How a Boing 747 Jumbo jet is reduced to scrap metal in under three days

When a mighty Boeing 747 jumbo jet has reached the end of its natural life, its final destination may be Cotswold Airport - the biggest graveyard for aeroplanes in the UK.

Once there, the salvage team takes just under three days to reduce a 230-tonne commercial airliner to scrap metal.

The first step involves removing 130 tonnes of equipment, such as landing gear and navigation/communication avionics (which can fetch six-figure sums), before the earth excavator takes over.

Former aircraft engineer Mark Gregory and his crew at Air Salvage International near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, oversee the demolition process.

FROM: dailymail.co.uk