747 and 787

UPDATE 2: Boeing sent out a press release about Z005. This is a scheme that will be painted on the other three test flight airplanes as well to save time and money. Also ZA005's GEnx engines are back with GE so they can add modifications to the engines.

EVERETT, Wash., July 21, 2009 -- The fifth Boeing [NYSE:BA] 787 Dreamliner flight test airplane has been unveiled sporting a special Boeing livery.

Painted white with blue accents, the new livery incorporates visual and color elements from the distinctive blue-and-white Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery seen on the first 787 flight test airplane and other new commercial models. The simplified paint scheme will be applied to the three remaining unpainted flight test airplanes (Nos. 3, 4 and 6). Airplane No. 2 has been painted in the colors of launch customer ANA of Japan.

The modified livery, which saves time and expense compared to the full Boeing livery, will remain on the airplane until the flight test program is completed and it is refurbished and delivered to a customer.

The airplane’s two GEnx engines have been temporarily removed and returned to GE Aviation so that planned minor improvements can be made.
# # #
Neg. K64750-03 and K64750-02
Contact:
Marc Birtel

787 Communications+1 425-266-5822

UPDATE: Flightblogger just updated his site with information on ZA005 which is the first 787 with GE engines. It was painted in a modified Dreamliner scheme however the aircraft doesn't have it's engines on and will be returned to building 40-26.

Flightblogger ZA005 post


Well some more news out of Boeing today. The first 747-8 is in position to start the final body join with the forward section, center section and wings and the aft section. In the picture released by Boeing, you can see the length of the newest member of the 747 family. Also note the landing gear in the foreground of the photograph.

My guess for the 747-8F first flight is around September-October time frame.

Here's Boeing's Press Release:

News Release Issued: July 21, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
First Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Takes Shape
EVERETT, Wash., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) took a major step closer this week toward completing the assembly of the first 747-8 Freighter as mechanics at the factory in Everett, Wash. loaded the forward and aft fuselage sections to join with the wing and center section.
"It is exciting to see this airplane taking shape," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 Program. "The 747-8 is the largest commercial jet airplane we have assembled. This final body join provides us the first real look at the size of the 747-8 Freighter."
The 747-8 Freighter is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches(5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor. That translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. The 747-8 Freighter is the new high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. Boeing has secured 78 orders from leading cargo operators for the new 747-8 Freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air all have placed orders for the airplane.
Contact:
Peter Conte
Everett Programs
Communications
+1 425-294-6102
Peter.b.conte@boeing.com
More
information: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/747-8_background.html
Photo
and caption are available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=64&item=64
SOURCE Boeing
SOURCE: Boeing
Web site: http://www.boeing.com/

787

Matt Cawby got a picture of what appears to be ZA005 out at the fuel dock at Everett. The aircraft is sandwich between a DHL 767F and a Korean Air 777-300ER. Flightblogger had earlier reported that ZA005 had gone to the paint shop (ZA006 is on the 767 building) so this aircraft must be ZA005 which is the first 787 with GE engines. Interesting to note the paint scheme which is not any customer airline livery like ZA002 and not the Dreamliner scheme that is on ZA001 but it seems to be a generic Boeing the "787" on the tail. Wish that DHL 767 can move out of the way!!!

Matt Cawby's pic of ZA005

Matt also got a picture of the fatigue test airframe (ZY998) outside of building 40-51 on Sunday. Testing on this ariframe probably won't start until the side of body fix is installed but it is outside as it left the 747 line.

Matt Cawby's pic of ZY998

Lastly, I got unconfirmed word last night that design of the side of body fix would take about 2 months not including time to manufacture and test the fix on ZY997 (static test airframe). It does seem that first flight may not take place until late this year and first delivery may not occur until the third quarter of 2010 though we're all still waiting for Boeing's official word on that.