The forward fuselage for Boeing's first 747-8F - RC501 - made its maiden...er, flight on the evening of May 17th, taking it from the final assembly installation tool in Building 40-23 back over to 40-21/22 for sealing and testing before beginning systems installation in the coming weeks.
Photo Credit Boeing
Photo Credit Boeing
on May 19, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply
Jon,
could you elaborate more on this news? Are there already any differences between the forward fuselage between the 744F and the 748F? (Not counting the new stretch.)
Regarding the complete aircraft, will there be more differences than the stretches, the new engines and wings?
on May 19, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply
I can't tell you how glad I am to see this beauty come together. She will pick up sales and knowing her track record, she will -eventually, sell in great numbers.
on May 19, 2009 1:48 PM | Reply
u can c the lenght of it already! notice there is no wing support were the original would 've had it at, and that shows u that this one is no -400. it looks different than what we r used 2 c.
can't wait to c it "cross the bridge" too.
on May 19, 2009 8:34 PM | Reply
Jon - Looks like it has no swing-up cargo door in the nose. Am I right?
on May 19, 2009 11:07 PM | Reply
Christopher,
Actually I think it does have a swing up nose. Note the pivot right under the cockpit windows and the diagonal line from the pivot to under the belly. I had to look real hard to see this.
Johnny stick
on May 20, 2009 2:06 AM | Reply
There are many structural changes to the 747-8F from the 747-400F in these two sections being lifted in the photo. Mostly these changes are internal and not obvious to the layperson just seeing the outside of the plane.
And yes, there is still a nose cargo door on the 747-8F.