VKF is now the oldest airframe in Everett (except for the "terrible teens" of course, and besides an Air Canada frame that was damaged by a forklift) that still hasn't flown
That airplane is scheduled to B1 next week, and deliver June 30.
No explanation for the long delay after rollout, but the schedule does show "repaint".
It's not uncommon for new aircraft to be "build ahead" - operators often want to take delivery all at the same time (e.g. to handle the peak summer season) so new aircraft can 'stack up' a bit, then a bunch deliver in a short period. But I have no idea what the story is on this aircraft.
BTW, I asked some counterparts on the 787 program about the "lightweight" pylon. No one had heard of that, but came short of saying it didn't exist.
