When Novair took delivery of their two -400's in spring 1989, they contracted out the line and base maintenance to Dan-Air Engineering in Manchester (MAN).  Unfortunately the Dan-Air hangar at Manchester wasn't quite high enough to accommodate the taller tail on the B737-400.... so what did they do? The next five photo's show how they did it.......<br><br>..... They designed a hydraulic tow bar which could lift the nose of the aircraft and therefore lower the tail enough to be able to get it through the hangar doors ......<br><br>...... it required a delicate balancing act to ensure that the tail didn't hit the ground, then push it gently backwards ......<br><br>...... it was the first time this had been tried on a 'live' aircraft so everyone held their breath as it continued to move slowly backwards ......<br><br>...... almost in position.  They had even remembered to cut a hole in the hangar ceiling to accommodate the top of the tail when they let the nose down again ......<br><br><b>...... an there we are, in position at last!  It all happened in reverse to get it out again.</b>
Ken Fielding
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