Boeing Finishes 747-8 Freighter Fuselage Assembly

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) -- Boeing has completed the assembly of the forward fuselage for the first 747-8 Freighter.

It has more than 13 of the additional feet that will make the 747-8 about 18 feet longer than a 747-400.

The fuselage also will be stretched 5 feet aft of the wing. Overall, the 747-8 freighter will have 16 percent more cargo volume.

Boeing also is developing a passenger version of the plane called the Intercontinental. The company says the new, high-capacity 747s will offer the lowest operating costs of any large passenger plane or freighter.

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Good job Boeing ! 5/19/2009 5:21:00 PM Good to read, that this 747 Jumbo platform is working so well. At least when I look up in the skies and see this flying overhead, I will be reminded of the good ole days when we had statesmen for leaders and not so many selfserving politicians who are only looking for the next dollar. Watch out, China is looking to steal this industry, just look at what happened to Airbus. Please do not go to the government of the US and ask for a bail out from the tax payers, otherwise the government will do to you what it has done to the auto industry, and that is squash it into submission. Good job Boeing. Buy American, while you can.
New Stretch 747-8---- Smart Move ! 5/19/2009 5:37:00 PM Boeing has got it right. Don't reinvent the wheel ( aka Airbus A380 ). Develop on the existing "proven" 747 airframe, which probably the most successful airplane since the DC-3 or the 707 !The infrastructure is already in place: maintenance facilities, trained 747 maintenance people,and most of all airports that don't need to create entirely new terminals to handle a new airframe ( A380 ), therefore the 747-8 can fly anywhere the current 747's fly. Now that the 747's will be getting the same new high efficiency engines with up 20% better fuel consumption, that translates into more tonnage / mile and cheaper..it's a "win - win". And if Boeing builds the passenger version as indicated, a lot of airlines will have to seriously rethink the A380 vs the 747-8. The numbers alone on the face of it say: Boeing's got a WINNER !" This American manufacturing at it's best...when our backs are to the wall , we breakout, and take the lead ! Kudos Boeing !

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