The Last 747

Palmpilot

Palmpilot

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Richard Palm
https://aeroxplorer.com/articles/the-last-ever-747-produced-is-close-to-completion.php

Excerpt:

After half a century of production, Boeing is close to finishing its last ever 747. The aircraft in question, a Boeing 747-8 freighter (747-8F), is expected to roll off the assembly line later this year in October. The final aircraft is set to be delivered to US cargo carrier Atlas Air, ending a glorious era once delivered. The delivery will follow two other 747-8F deliveries to Atlas Air: one next month in September and one previously in July.​
 
My favorite airplane.

sigh.
 
At least one of the -800 VC-25 airframes is at SKF right now. Next time I fly over there, I’ll take a pic.
 
Mason said:
I thought a new AF1 was under consideration.
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As I recall, two existing B-747s are being converted to VC-25s by Boeing. These two airplanes were completed, but the Russian airline customer went belly up before making their final payment, resulting in Boeing retaining possession of them. I think they were briefly stored at a U.S. desert facility before entering Boeing's modification center.
 
TCABM said:
At least one of the -800 VC-25 airframes is at SKF right now. Next time I fly over there, I’ll take a pic.
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Pretty sure there is more than one there. Apparently can’t fly because they are literally popping stringers sitting in the hangar.

Boeing engineers screwed the pooch on that one….
 
Fearless Tower said:
Pretty sure there is more than one there. Apparently can’t fly because they are literally popping stringers sitting in the hangar.

Boeing engineers screwed the pooch on that one….
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That's interesting. What's your source?
 
Fearless Tower said:
A Boeing engineer in San Antonio.
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Has this Boeing engineer published anything on this or referred you to any written source (attribution)? I do recall having read about how carefully the modifications have to be made due to the severe gutting and significant modifications to the fuselage. I think they had to build external jigs to brace the fuselage while all of the "hacking and cutting" was going on. Maybe this is what the engineer was referring to.
 
Capngrog said:
Has this Boeing engineer published anything on this or referred you to any written source (attribution)? I do recall having read about how carefully the modifications have to be made due to the severe gutting and significant modifications to the fuselage. I think they had to build external jigs to brace the fuselage while all of the "hacking and cutting" was going on. Maybe this is what the engineer was referring to.
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He’s a family member. It’s either an AD or a pending AD. The issue is they came up with some new alloy that’s supposedly super strong….but turns out very brittle. The fuselage stringers are made with said alloy and crack without even flying the airplane.
 
Are you possibly implying that another Boeing project will be late and over budget?:rolleyes: Heavens to Murgatroyd! It sounds like you called it correctly: A major pooch screw!

It calls to the remains of my mind a problem with certain airframe components of the old H-19 helicopter. This thing used components made of magnesium which, of course, was very light, but also very brittle. I don't know how many magnesium components we ( I was an airframe guy in the USAF) replaced with aluminum, but it kept us busy. I seem to recall it was mostly transmission cooler mounts.
 
Capngrog said:
Are you possibly implying that another Boeing project will be late and over budget?:rolleyes: Heavens to Murgatroyd! It sounds like you called it correctly: A major pooch screw!

It calls to the remains of my mind a problem with certain airframe components of the old H-19 helicopter. This thing used components made of magnesium which, of course, was very light, but also very brittle. I don't know how many magnesium components we ( I was an airframe guy in the USAF) replaced with aluminum, but it kept us busy. I seem to recall it was mostly transmission cooler mounts.
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Uh, Boeing’s already announced a 24 month delay in the VC-25B program.

https://aviationweek.com/shownews/f...rce-one-delayed-again-first-delivery-set-2026
 
Capngrog said:
This thing used components made of magnesium which, of course, was very light, but also very brittle.
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Added benefit to magnesium is that when it is ignited, it burns incredibly brightly. Should help emergency responders find the smoldering wreckage.
 
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