It’s also known as an aircraft boneyard
You’ll find it just an hour outside London(Image: Christopher Cook)
Just as our reliable cars have a lifespan, so too do aeroplanes. But what happens when they’re no longer fit for flight or simply retired?
Much like us humans, they find their final resting place in a graveyard – not your typical burial ground, but an aircraft graveyard.
And you might be surprised to learn that there’s one just a short drive from London. This aeroplane graveyard, also known as an aircraft boneyard, is tucked away between the Skylark Hotel and London Southend Airport – merely an hour’s drive along the M25 from South London, and even closer for those residing in East and parts of North London.
This overgrown plot, littered with dusty, forgotten planes, is believed to be owned by the hotel and borders the airport. Some of these aircraft could date back to the 1950s, according to our sister site EssexLive.
Imagine the tales these old birds could tell if you took a peek inside. Intrigued to learn more, or perhaps considering a visit to see for yourself?
So where exactly is this graveyard?
A bird’s eye view of the plane graveyard on Google Maps(Image: Google)
You can spot three planes via Google Maps’ satellite view at Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6UN.
The patch of land behind the Skylark Hotel has been left untouched for years, allowing nature to slowly reclaim the planes amidst the overgrown vegetation.
A quick Google search reveals three aircraft in the graveyard – two larger ones resembling modern passenger planes and a smaller one, possibly a private plane designed for fewer passengers.
So, what kind of aircraft have been left to gather dust in this aviation graveyard?
A few posts on the Fighter Control forum provide some insight into these forsaken aircraft.
One post speculates that the two larger planes might be ex-RAAF Hawker Siddeley HS 748s. For those not familiar with aviation jargon, this refers to a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed and manufactured by British aircraft company Avro.
However, there’s no official word yet on the exact make of the aircraft languishing at the site.
But how did they end up in such a state?
The exact reason why these planes were abandoned here remains shrouded in mystery.
They don’t appear to have crash-landed as the bodywork on the larger planes seems largely intact from afar, although they are rusting and have been targeted by graffiti artists.
Regrettably, the history of these planes may forever remain a secret.
How can you catch a glimpse of them?
Access to the area is limited with locked gates and fences, so you can’t just saunter up to the planes.
However, you can spot one of the larger planes from a distance if you position yourself in the hotel’s car park.
Remember, it’s always wise to obtain permission from the landowner before entering any private area.
Trespassing on someone’s land or property without consent could potentially result in legal consequences.
Keep up with the latest East London news. Sign up to our MyEastLondon newsletter HERE for daily updates and more.