N58201. Boeing 747SP-31. c/n 21961-415.

Was also registered as: A6-SMR; VP-BLK.

 

Trans World Airlines placed an order for three B-747SP on October 17, 1978 to be operated on their proposed routes to the Middle East. When regulatory approval for these services was declined the SP fleet was utilised on the airline's existing trans-continental United States and trans-Atlantic services. The T.W.A. aircraft differed from other Boeing 747SPs in that an optional emergency exit door was fitted to the upper passenger cabin. This permitted the airline to provide seating for 32 economy class passengers on this deck. Although these seats were installed during the initial fit-out they were removed and 12 first class sleeper seats were installed before delivery.

 

This was the twenty-seventh Boeing 747SP to be built. Rolled out of the Boeing plant at Everett on October 30, 1979 and was powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A engines. Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N58201 it flew for the first time on December 02, 1979. This was the airline's second 747SP to be accepted when it was handed over at Paine Field on April 14, 1980 configured to seat 31 first class passengers on the main and upper deck sleeper seats and 259 economy class passengers on the lower deck.

This aircraft was not operated by T.W.A. for long due to the anticipated long-range route to the Middle East being denied to the airline. Its redundancy was hastened by the more economical Lockheed 1-1011 and full-sized 747s already in the fleet. It was sold to the United Arab Emirates on February 21, 1985.

Entered onto the UAE Aircraft Register as A6-SMR it was converted to an executive configuration shortly after its sale. Used extensively by the United Emirates Sheikhs it was observed at many European and American Airports over the years. On June 01, 2007 it was purchased by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

It arrived at Las Vegas as A6-SMR on June 12, 2007 in basic UAE livery. It was entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N992MS on June 21, 2007 before being ferried to Norton Air Force Base on June 28 for maintenance. It was ferried from Norton A.F.B. to Las Vegas without titles on August 08, 2007. It was cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register on August 15, 2007 and immediately entered onto Bermuda's Aircraft Register as VP-BLK.

It entered service with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation on August 21, 2007 to ferry the family of the owners of the Corporation and high roller gambling patrons between their properties and casinos around the world.

This aircraft was advertised for sale as of December 04, 2009 with a Florida aircraft broker having flown 26,364 hours. While it continues to be operated by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, sale advertisments for this aircraft have appeared as recently as July 2010. Its flying career may be coming to a close due to the increased operating costs associated with ageing airframes.

 

 

N58201. TWA Trans World - in the standard livery at Paris Orly Airport, July 1980.

(C. Volpati Copyright Image 4635-383.)

N58201. TWA Trans World - in the standard livery at Paris Charles de Gualle Airport, August 1980.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-590.)

N58201. TWA Trans World - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, October 1980.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-223.)

N58201. TWA Trans World - in the standard livery at New York JFK Airport, October 1984.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-224.)

A6-SMR. United Arab Emirates - in the original livery at Hamburg Airport, April 1985.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-592.)

A6-SMR. United Arab Emirates - in the original livery at London Heathrow Airport, August 1988.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-303.)

A6-SMR. United Arab Emirates - in the revised livery at an unknown airport, January 2003.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-593.)

VP-BLK. Las Vegas Sands Corporation - in the standard livery at Las Vegas Airport, September 2007.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-321.)

VP-BLK. Las Vegas Sands Corporation - in the standard livery at Las Vegas Airport, March 2008.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4635-307.)