Boeing makes progress on 747-8 Freighter

Published 7:47 am Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Boeing Co. has assembled the first complete forward fuselage for its new 747-8 Freighter, the company said Tuesday.

The fuselage section measures 89 feet, 2 inches. It features the upper deck area found on Boeing’s classic jumbo jet. Boeing has moved the fuselage from final assembly on for sealing and testing before beginning systems installation.

The 747-8 fuselage has been stretched by 18 feet, 4 inches compared to that of the 747-400. The 747-8 Freighter’s stretched fuselage offers 16 percent more cargo volume than the 747-400 Freighter, providing space for four additional main-deck pallets and three additional pallets in the lower hold.

Boeing plans to deliver its 747-8 Freighter in the third quarter of 2010.