Tag Archives: primer

Stored 777Xs (777-9)

Boeing has many internal issues with its planes currently but, when it comes to the 777X program, GE is the one that is causing the problems.  The lack of engines for the test program means the jets are on the ground.  Meanwhile, the production line continues to turn out the airframes at the rate original scheduled.  Consequently, there are stored jets around Paine Field.  The first two jets were turned out in house colors and have appeared on the blog.  Meanwhile, a couple of white jets have appeared and they are stored on the flight line.

The latest two jets I have seen are not even painted.  They are in the protective film the airframe is built in which looks a bit like primer.  Stored on the airfield, they will get engines at some point and then go to the paint shop.  In the interim, they have ballast attached to the engine mounts.  The first time I saw one, I thought it was another KC-46 being stored until the fin caught my eye and I realized it was a 777X.

Green Jet Airways 737

If you drive passed Boeing Field at the moment, there are a few 737s parked across the street in the employee parking lot.  One is a development Max 7 but the others a new jets awaiting delivery.  They are marked up for Jet Airways.  Apparently, the airline has cash issues and that might be the reason that delivery has not been taken on these jets.

I may well have seen one of them during its test flying activities.  This jet was still unpainted when it made a stop at Everett.  You often get jets passing through Everett en route back to BFI but this one was actually making a stop.  I assume they completed the test flying and painting of the airframe in the hope that the financing would come to fruition.  Apparently, that has not yet happened.  Either Jet will come up with the money or these aircraft will be reconfigured for an alternate customer.

Anyone Know a Paint Shop Around Here?

Portland International is home to a paint facility owned by Boeing and operated under contract to them.  It provides additional paint capacity for their jets assembled up in the Seattle area.  One of the jets landed at Portland while I was there for the ANG open house.  It was a 777 freighter.  It landed on the runway closest to us and turned on to the taxiway just in front of where we were standing.  It then taxied back to the opposite end of the field where the paint facility is located.  The only clue as to what airline it was destined for was the rudder which had a small element of the future colors.  My guess is Qatar but I’m sure someone can put me straight if that is wrong.

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.

Did Someone Patch This Raptor in a Hurry?

The F-22 Raptor has a complex coating system on the skin of the airframe that is part of the overall approach to stealth.  Normally, they look pretty well finished in order to preserve the performance of the system (although I have spotted a few jets with the green primer showing through worn finishes).  However, one or two of the jets that were at Red Flag had what almost looked like a panel missing from the spine of the jet.  Looking a bit closer, I think the panel had been replaced and the finishing of the surfaces around the work remained to be done.  It did look a bit of a mess though.  Checking some of the other jets, they also show this panel in a slightly different color.  Perhaps they have all been undergoing a modification program in this area?