Boeing breathed a big, if perhaps temporary, sigh of relief when UPS signed up for a bunch of 747-8F freighters. These jets are now starting to come off the line and, before they get allocated to the long runs across the oceans, I figured I would try and catch one at Everett. Conditions were a little gloomier than I had hoped for but the timing was driven by luck, so I had to make do with what I could get. The 747 may be disappearing from operators around the world but the freighters will continue for a long time and the 8F is the better of the most recent versions in my mind. The extended upper deck of the 8I is a little too long for my tastes. UPS colors are not bad either. Hopefully I shall see more of them in service.
Tag Archives: 747-8F
A Primer 747 Really Catches the Sun
A primer finish on a jet looks a lot more dramatic in sunny conditions. The green finish of the protective film is quite reflective so the sun really makes the plane shine. This 747-8F freighter was carrying out some production test flying from Everett during a visit. I was getting ready to leave when it came in so I got a bunch of shots. As I was driving away, I heard the sound of a jet and it turned out the plane had landed, turned around and taken off in the opposite direction.
I was a bit annoyed as I saw it climb and turn pretty sharply – I assume it was lightly loaded. Then it became apparent it was going to make a teardrop turn and come back in to land again. Since I was now on the road home, I pulled off into a parking lot somewhere close to the line of the approach path and got the camera back out. Into view it came and flew across right ahead of me. I got a few extra shots. Not the dramatic climbing turn but still a nice to have addition.
Cathay Pacific 747-8F Freighter
I saw this Cathay Pacific 747-8F making an approach to the opposite side of the airport at LAX while I was waiting for a friend’s flight to arrive. The freighters tend to use the southerly runways since that is where the freight area is located and it cuts down on taxi requirements. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised that it went that way. Later in the day I was up on Imperial Hill when it made its departure. I was actually having something to eat and not really paying attention. It had rotated before I even realized so grabbed the camera quickly to get some shots. I’m glad the camera was close by or I would have been really annoyed.