The day I visited probably shouldn't be taken as a barometer of how you might do on a subsequent visit. I passed through Greenwood on the day after Christmas, 1998. I found the Memphis Group's hangar easily enough, but didn't find anyone present at all--not even a guard or watchman! At the airport offices I didn't find the manager, but the person on duty gave me The Memphis Group's phone number; it was a cell phone so I was hoping to reach someone to get permission to go on the ramp, but no one answered!
Finally, I tried the FBO next to the Memphis Group's main hangar. The person on duty at the FBO was quite friendly and said, "go on out there--they don't care if you look at the airplanes!" Elated, but still feeling some trepidation, I drove--yes, drove--out onto the ramp to view the aircraft. There was absolutely no one else on the airport, and amongst the hulks, the only sound was the melting ice dripping. I had to dodge some falling chunks of ice when walking under wings. I spent about an hour looking over the hulks, and taking photos, some of which you'll see below. No one said anything to me.
Since visiting Greenwood involves a fair amount of effort, I would strongly recommend that you call them first before setting out. I'm sure the fact that it was the day after Christmas played a role in my ease of getting access, simply because there was no one around that might say no!
Fast facts:
Airport: Greenwood-Laflore Airport is located about 5 miles east of the town of Greenwood, about 130 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, and about 100 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi. From Interstate 65, take the Highway 82 exit and go westbound. Drive 20 miles, and you will see a sign indicating the turnoff for the airport. After that you can't miss it; you'll see the 747 tails in the distance!
Air Service: none. Your only hope is to rent a car, or charter a small plane to visit.
Contact number: The Memphis Group, (601) 455-1826 or (601) 459-3483
Here is a view of the main ramp, showing a number of recently arrived United 737-222s amongst the ex-Northwest 747-121s.
Three ex-NW 747s and three ex-UA 737-222s are seen on this closer view of the main ramp.
This 747, now devoid of engines, access panels, cabin doors, and many other parts, is now ready to be cut apart for scrap.
The condition of the ex-United 737-222s varied widely, ranging from the parted-out example in the foreground to essentially intact examples in the background.
Near the runway was a long lineup of airliners ready for the end. Nearly all had been stripped of their landing gears, and were resting on railroad-tie cradles. This view shows two ex-Continental A300B4s, an ex-USAir F-28, and an ex-TWA L-1011.
This former Air Canada DC-9-30 was slated to go to the Lafayette, Louisiana, fire department for use in training.
This former USAir F-28 was nestled underneath the wing of one of the A300s.
A section had been cut out of the belly of one of the TWA L-1011s present, and I took this photo, looking into the interior from ground level.
Parts removed for refurbishment include cowlings, flap panels, doors, and landing gear, among many other items. Here is a group of them, near the A300s.
A close-up of one of the A300s shows how the airframes are set up on cradles, to facilitate removal of the landing gear.