Etihad 747-8F

Atlas's brand new frame, line 1476 (RC582) N855GT emerged from the paint hanger sporting her new Etihad Cargo livery. She had just been painted in Atlas's livery prior to her first flight, but that coat wasn't long for this world.

Line 1476 is still property of Atlas, but she's on a long term wet lease to Etihad for a round the world shipping route. Ethihad is also employing a couple 747-400Fs, and there are rumors that they might be in the market for more 747-8s. both passenger and freighter models. Here's the route N855GT will be taking:

May '13 Wrap Up

Four deliveries in May:

• Line 1438 (RC554) B-LJD for Cathay Pacific
• Line 1473 (RC508) LX-VCH for Cargolux
• Line 1476 (RC582) N855GT for Atlas
• Line 1475 (RC028) D-ABYI for Lufthansa

Matt Cawby posted a curious picture:

An apparent 747-8I in final assembly inside building 40-24. However, if you look at the chart, you can see the next ten frames in or scheduled for final assembly are all 747-8Fs. Something is fishy, but I don't know what the explanation is yet. Note 40-24 is supposed to be the 787 surge line, where the first 787-9 is starting its final assembly. Is this just line 1480 for Lufthansa back inside for some fixing?

Atlas Delivery #9, Order Complete

Line 1476 (RC582) N855GT for Atlas delivered yesterday and flew off today. This was the final frame of nine purchased by Atlas, completing their 747-8F order. Of course, originally their order was for twelve, but they rejected three, two of which have been reallocated.

Line 1432, Into the Blue

It's getting routine now, but yet another "old" new frame flies for the first time today. Line 1432 (RC572) HZ-AI4 for Saudi Arabian Cargo took her first flight this morning. A big thanks to Piotrek_ for the shots.

Here she was in long term storage without engines, and then refurbishment where she finally got some (pictures thanks to Matt Cawby).

That leaves one backlog frame that hasn't flown yet: line 1433 for Cathay. Soon, my pretty. Very soon.

Atlas's final frame, line 1476 (RC582) N855GT also flew for the first time on Saturday.

Boeing has lowered the build rate to 1.75 frames a month. This is not a surprise. They likely will lower it to 1.5 frames a month by the end of the year if orders don't pick up.