San Bernardino International Airport (SBD/KSBD)

I made an unplanned visit to San Bernardino International Airport (SBD/KSBD) what used to be known as Norton Air Force Base yesterday, March 21 2015.

 

A nice surprise for me was an EVA Air Cargo MD-11F which I didn't know was there.

 

I also saw a KLM MD-11 but could not get a registration so I do not know her identity but it could be PH-KCC (48557/569) "Marie Curie" which was spotted there on June 23, 2014. 

 

There are also two sister EVA Air 747-45EM's parked side by side which was also a nice surprise.

 

Check out the below photos for more information and enjoy!

EVA Air Cargo MD-11F (48789/633) B-16112 ex N90178 was delivered to the carrier on July 29, 1999.

 

EVA Air Boeing 747-45EM Combi (28093/1077) B-16409 (foreground) was delivered on May 1, 1996 as N409EV and Boeing 747-45EM Combi (28092/1076) B-16408 (behind) was delivered on April 17, 1996 as N408EV. Both were recently removed from service and now rest together in retirement awaiting their final fate.

 

Boeing 737-2H4/ADV (23054/989) N737AJ owned by Ajeton Inc. sadly sits in the SoCal sun minus engines and her future unknown. She was originally delivered to Southwest Airlines as N95SW on May 25, 1983 and served her entire career with the carrier until being retired on January 17, 2005 the last -200 to be retired from the Southwest fleet.

 

Having been and still currently an Operations Agent with Southwest Airlines during the past twenty years, I worked this aircraft numerous times at LAX and flew on her as well several times so this aircraft has a special place in my heart and it was truly awesome to come across her during my visit to SBD.

 

Boeing 737-2W3/ADV (22628/820) VP-CBA was delivered to NOGA Import a private jet service on December 15, 1981 as N180RN were it operated until being re-possessed in March 1985.

 

The aircraft then found its way to the United Arab Emirates and served as a government aircraft registered as A6-ESH and A6-ESJ during its time in the Emirate.

 

On April 13, 2000 Sky Aviation bought the aircraft and re-registered it as VP-CSA. Today the aircraft is operated by a very private owner, a very lucky owner I must say.

 

Boeing 727-223/ADV (21374/1280) was delivered to American Airlines on August 2, 1977 as N869AA and served with the carrier until being retired in March 2002 and stored at Mojave Airport (MHV/KMHV) in the California desert.

 

It was bought by KCP Leasing & Services LLC on November 20, 2002 and moved to its current location here at San Bernardino International Airport (SBD). On October 15, 2003 it was bought by Phoenix Fuel Corporation and as you can see the aircraft remains at SBD with an unknown future.

 

Sure wish I had the money to buy and make her airworthy again it would be a total blast to own a 727-200!

 

Boeing 727-227/ADV (20613/929) N415BN (left) still wears her Sky One livery and does not look into bad of shape. She was delivered to Braniff Airways on March 14, 1973 as N415BN. On February 20, 1981, American Airlines bought the aircraft and re-registered it to N720AA. It served with American Airlines until its retirement in May 2002 and stored at Mojave Airport (MHV/KMHV).

 

She too was bought KCP Leasing & Services LLC and moved to San Bernardino International Airport (SBD/KSBD) in February 2003. On August 10, 2004 the aircraft was bought by Ermes Holdings LLC and operated in the lovely Sky One livery in 2005. She had been parked at Victorville (VCV) following he collapse of Sky One but at some point made her way back to SBD were she sits today.

 

Boeing 727-227/ADV (20734/965) N727AA (right) was originally delivered to Braniff Airways as N421BN on August 21, 1973. On January 22, 1981 American Airlines bought the aircraft with whom it served until its retirement in March 2002 and stored at Mojave Airport (MHV/KMHV). Bought by KCP Leasing & Services LLC, the aircraft was moved to San Bernardino International Airport (SBD/KSBD) were she remains today.

 

A group shot of the south ramp, were you can see the above mentioned 737-200's along with Boeing 727-21 (19260/412) VP-BAP a privately owned aircraft. It was delivered to Pan American World Airways as N358PA "Clipper David Crockett" on May 21, 1967 with whom she served until being sold to International Executive Aircraft on September 9, 1981 and re-registered N727SG.

 

The aircraft has been a corporate aircraft ever since, operating for several different corporations over the years, Beneficial Finance Leasing Company, Funair Corporation as N727LA. The aircraft was WFU and stored in Tel Aviv, Israel in February 2002. Malibu Consulting Corporation bought the aircraft on August 9, 2004 and re-registered it to N727GP.

 

Another very private owner, it appears that it is kept in immaculate condition and she soldiers on today 48 years later, you won't see any Airbuses doing that! 

 

Behind the 727-21 is MD-83 (49789/1642) N789BV operated Dugan Kinetics NV LLC and sporting EP-80 titles. The DAC aircraft was delivered from Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) to BWIA International as 9Y-THX "Sunjet Anguilla" later BWIA West Indies Airways on October 20, 1989. It served with the carrier until WFU and stored at Lake City, Florida in March 2004. On June 1, 2004 she was bought by Airplanes IAL received her current registration.

 

Finally in the rear is Boeing 747SP-27 (21929/447) N747A operated by Fry's Electronics Inc. Originally delivered to Braniff Airways as N606BN on May 30, 1980, the aircraft has also operated with Pan American World Airways as N529PA "Clipper America," United Airlines as N150UA and Oman Royal Flight As A40-SP.

 

Seeing a 747SP these days is a very rare sight but a very welcome one.

 

Hope you enjoyed the photos and the information.