The Airchive-Opa Locka Scrapped Aircraft

L-1011-250 LTU
This former LTU Tri-Star was being dismantled in April 2003. LTU is a German charter carrier which flew the largest L-1011 fleet in Europe before replacing them with A-330s and 757-300s. The primary piece of value here is the RB-211 engines.

	Opa Locka Airport Opa Locka Airport is located in Miami, Florida about 10 miles North of Miami International. The airport is a massive civil aviation facility with scheduled cargo and charter service. This airport was founded by famed aviator Glenn Curtis. Plane spotters visiting Miami should put this airfield on their agenda for two reasons: A) The vintage, still flying props such as DC-3s and DC-6s that used to call on MIA are now found in Opa Locka. B) Opa Locka is a great place to see aircraft being scrapped and stored as seen on these pages. Tours and photography are now basically off limits, but if you are interested in purchasing parts or cannibalized fuselages contact AVTEL in Mojave, CA at 661-824-4517 or Evergreen Air Center at Pinal Park in Marana, AZ at 520-682-4181. Fuselages hulls are sold for scrap value in the 15K to 25K range.
	Continental DC-10-30 This DC-10 was one of the last 3 to fly in the Continental fleet before they were all retired to Mojave in October, 2001. This example had only 50,000 hours on it before it was ferried to Opa Locka to be parted out, primarily for it’s engines. This DC-10 spent it’s entire career at Continental, finally being replaced by company 767-400s and 777-200s. It’s value was less than $3 million dollars, less than the replacement cost of one of the GE engines. At the time of my visit, the cockpit was completely stripped yet the passenger compartment was very much intact. By the way, the business class seats are for sale for $200 apiece.



	Continental MD-80 Continental is steadily retiring it’s MD-80 fleet with Boeing 737 NGs. MD-80s still have a relatively strong used market, and this example was being stored for sale.

	Casino Express 737-200 Casino Express flies colorful, playing card adorned aircraft to its home base in Elko, Nevada. The charter carrier had a fleet of 3 737s at its peak. Thus far, 2 have been retired.

	L-1011-250 LTU This former LTU Tri-Star was being dismantled in April 2003. LTU is a German charter carrier which flew the largest L-1011 fleet in Europe before replacing them with A-330s and 757-300s. The primary piece of value here is the RB-211 engines.

	American Eagle / Trans States ATR-42 With the arrival of RJ’s and the general downturn, even young aircraft such as this ATR-42 aren’t immune from the scrapper. This ATR was used first for Trans States Airlines, a feeder for TWA, at St. Louis prior to TWA's takeover by American.

	Laker Boeing 727 British Aviation Freddie Laker legend operates a “Son of Skytrain”, Laker Bahamas. Laker Bahamas flies from Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach with charter and scheduled flights to such destinations as Freeport and Nassau Bahamas. This 727 had served with Eastern and Carnival during it’s career.
	United Boeing 737-200 With 2nd generation 737’s now meeting their demise, the value of 737-200’s is falling fast. This 737 served it’s entire career with United, before it’s age and owner’s falling fortunes caught up with it. This example had been flown in from Mojave and was in good condition except for the desert dust that had seaped into some components.

	Opa Locka DC-10 This DC-10 was operated by Aero Wings, registered in the Eastern Caribbean states, but it was owned by a Belgium guy named Henry Fabri. It was used on the African Hajj contracts. Reportedly, he bought it back to return the 2 leased engines he was using from a local company there in Opa Locka. Thanks to Ron Greene for this information.
	Air Tran DC-9-30’s Air Tran is retiring it’s DC-9-30’s as their C Checks become due and as they are replaced one for one by modern Boeing 717’s. These DC-9s had been ferried in from the airline’s Atlanta headquarters. In one image here you can see a newspaper I found stuffed in the seat back from the airliner’s last commercial flight on July 6, 2002. Most of Air Tran’s DC-9s were ex-Eastern and Delta. Air Tran is one of the few U.S. carriers to thus far whether the difficult economic conditions of 2001-2003. These airframes were at BMI in Opa Locka, Florida.





	ACES 727-200’s Aces is the second major airline of Columbia. One of these 2 examples originally flew for Alaska and the other for American. They were almost completely stripped when these shots were taken. Note the manuals still left behind on the FE’s station. A-320's have replace the 727's. These shots were taken at BMI.




	YS-11s and DC-3 Opa Locka is still home to vintage operating props flying mainly cargo to Latin America. This, one of two examples, was destined for the scrapper's torch.

	Grumman Albatross The Albatross in the picture appears to be a short-wing Navy version and that would mean it is a UF-1 or HU-16C variant. The long wing Navy versions were designated UF-2 and HU-16D. The Air Force versions were known as SA-16A and SA-16B (short wing and long wing respectively) and the Coast Guard operated long wing HU-16E models. After the inter-service standardization of aircraft designations took place in 1962, all Albatrosses were designated HU-16 (A through E.) This plane is not to be confused with the short bodied Mallard formerly operated by Chalk's Airlines. Thanks to Dave Marion for info on this aircraft.
	“White Tail” DC-8 This DC-8-51 awaits its next freight mission at Opa Locka. Scenes like this are very reminiscent of Miami Airport in the 1980s.