Volkswagen SUV Tows 747

Mon, 27 Nov '06
Bet Your Old Microbus Couldn't Do This...

http://www.aero-news.net/images/cont...wing-1106a.jpg

If you ever owned that icon of the 1960s, a Volkswagen Microbus... you may find it hard to imagine a vehicle with the VW logo on the front could tow, well, anything. Especially not something as big as a 747.

Volkswagen has changed a bit in 40 years, though, and is eager to show it. To that end, the German manufacturer recently staged an event using a new Volkswagen Touareg SUV, fitted with its new V-10 turbodiesel engine, hooked up to a former British Airways 747-200.

The nonflying aircraft -- which now sports mockup quad-inboard turbofans, and dummy wing tanks in the place of its #1 and #4 engines -- recently saw duty in the James Bond flick "Casino Royale."

The plane weighed just a bit more than the SUV's maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds... try 170 tons, including ballast to fill in for the plane's missing engines. Except for more ballast added to the Touareg -- to keep its wheels from spinning -- and a shorter axle ratio, the SUV was bone-stock.

Starting from second gear with the 4x4's transfer case in 'Low', the Touareg was able to move the jumbo jet about 500 feet, at a speed of about 5 miles per hour. Perhaps even more impressively, the SUV was then able to stop the jet using only its brakes... and everyone lived to tell the tale.

"I was a bit disappointed we couldn't find something heavier to tow as it was a bit too easy!" said test driver Uwe Krieghoff afterwards. "If anyone could lend us a heavier aircraft then please let us know."

Perhaps Airbus is willing to lend an A380 to that effort? After all, they won't be going to customers for awhile...[img][/img]

That is pretty cool!

And funny Airbus comment as well!

With the fake engines and other bits removed, even with ballast it must be a bit lighter than when it flew for BA, does anyone know by how much and if this stunt would have worked with a fully functional 747?