Skylon, my question was A380 v 747/800 pax versions!
It is indeed lucky for Boeing that the 748 freighter has been popular!
Regardless of Boeings investment, sales of the pax version have been very poor!
Re Obamas replacement, as if the US would have bought anything else!
Also worth noting that the 747 is well and truly at the end of its lifetime, wereas the 380 program has plenty of growth prospects.
There are many simliarities in the early stages of the 747 and 380 programs, both required large outlays by the companies, and initial sales were not so good.
The return on Airbuses large investment in the 380, can only be judged in 15 years time!