In full agreement that a 747-400F is more economical than a 747-200F...
Or that a MD-11F is more economical than a DC-10F...
But...
As to say that the older ones are gas guzzlers, sure, they are.
xxx
Is like having a (let's say) an old Cadillac Limousine...
Big V8 6 liters, gas 22 liters for 100 km...
And replacing that junk by a new Caddy Limo... high efficiency engine.
And "only" 19 liters for 100 km...
For me, it is still a guzzler... just a "tat" less...
The old Cadillac was cheap, no bank payments, cheap insurance...
The trunk was large enough for 8 suicases...
The new one makes banks and insurance companies happy.
And in the trunk, they can put... 9 suitcases...
xxx
Obvious, if I organize a new "BeArgUSA Cargo" I might lease a few 200Fs...
That is all that the banks and leasing companies will let me have.
A "small" say, 20 or 30 million $ investment...
I will spend a lot in maintenance, and crewing...
But the banks will say NO to a couple of used 400Fs, and give me 100 million $...
Besides, giving banks $250,000 of interest monthly...
I rather buy spare parts, a spare engine, pay my people a good salary.
Even if it costs over $100,000...
All "within proportion"...
And if not, I go out of business after 6 months, like many "ex-new cargo operators"...
xxx
Happy contrails