***Editor's Note - This is the first in a new series tracking the assembly of The Boeing Company's first 747-8 jumbo jet.***With the center, aft fuselage and empennage sections arriving this weekend in Everett, the early hours of May 8 will see the 747-8's wings joined to the center wing box marking another key step forward for the fifth generation of Boeing's jumbo jet.
By the end of last week, Boeing had moved both 747-8 wings from major assembly to seal and test ahead of tonight's stub join for Airplane 1420.
Once the parts for the major body structure arrive for RC501, as it has been designated, the sections will be built up and then mated to begin the final body join and systems integration process.
The aircraft's forward section is currently in the Final Assembly Integration Tooling in Building 40-23, where it will remain until it is relocated back to 40-22 for the final body join.
Boeing is targeting a mid-summer roll out followed by an early fall first flight for the 747-8 Freighter, according to program sources.
on May 8, 2009 2:29 AM | Reply
I believe the B747-8 will be a seriously nice alternative to Airbus' beast. The economical changes from the B747-4 will be monumental and I think current customers would prefer the B747-8.
Lets just hope Boeing can get it moving a little quicker now the B787 production has slowed dramatically.
on May 8, 2009 4:44 AM | Reply
Does anyone know if Boeing are replacing any 747 sections (skin, wings, tail etc..) with composite materials? Will there be any weight reductions or does the efficiency come from the new engines?
on May 8, 2009 9:11 AM | Reply
Sam, no there is not widespread use of compostes on the 747-8 as far as I know. The main surfaces are still metal.
on May 8, 2009 9:14 AM | Reply
As far as I know, 747-8 is basically a stretched 747-400 body with modified and extended wings and new engines. I think the cockpit is also very similar to the 747-400.
on May 8, 2009 12:10 PM | Reply
Ed, I thought the entire wing is new with a lot of composites. As far as I remember, they redesigned the whole wing. Thats why in the artists impressions the wing flex as much as the 787 wing does.
on May 8, 2009 4:19 PM | Reply
The 747-8 wing is all new and all aluminum.
on May 13, 2009 6:05 AM | Reply
Sam, the 747-8F body skin material will be the same as on 777.
Also, because -400F is really -400 Combi just no windows, so it has a lot weights in window belt area, now this area will be much optimized, also Door 5 will be removed for weight reduction.