Boeing B-747-400 and -8 Series Scrapbook
Boeing B-747-8F at Yuma Arizona, note the black air sensor trailing wire behind the tail
Story by Ken Kula, photos by Del Laughery, Corey Beitler, Don Linn and Ken Kula
Boeing’s final two series of their 747 model fell at opposite ends of the sales spectrum. The B-747-400 series garnered 694 airframe orders, while the final version, the B-747-8 received only 155 requests. The -400 series was the most requested of the 747 family, and the -8 series surpassed only the 747SP and 747-300 series.
The B-747-400 was built in several versions… including straight passenger, combination passenger and freighter (Combi) and straight freighter versions. Several -400 airframes (a total of four) were converted to the Dreamlifter (B-747 Large Cargo Freighter – LCF) outsized freight variant too. Here are examples of the three main categories and the Dreamlifter too.
B-747-400 series passenger jet
B-747-400 Combi – note the aft cargo door
B-747-400F – note the shortened upper deck on these purposely built freighters
B-747-409LCF – the Dreamlifter
B-747-8 Intercontinental in Lufthansa retro colors
The final version of the “Queen” was the -8, and built in two versions, the 747-8F (freighter) and 747-8 Intercontinental passenger variant. The basic airframe was stretched 19 feet and had more powerful engined than the older -400 series. Only 48 passenger versions were completed while 107 freighters were delivered.
B-747-8F freighter – again with the shorter top deck
Lufthansa B-747-8 Intercontinental
