New B747F project (TAECO)

[CargoOne]

from aircargo news JAN10:
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New B747F project

Boeing is to announce a B747-400 Special Freighter conversion programme to be undertaken at the TAECO complex at Xiamen, southern China. Converted -400s will have a payload of 95 tonnes, 10 less than a factory-built -400F and a slightly shorter range. They will replace 'noisy' -200Fs.
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Huh, payload seems to be not the one industry has expected?

[Buster Hyman]

One can only wonder how the sums add up when comparing the factory unit price against the lost payload/range? Obviously, the noise & technology issues will be the deciding factor for some carriers.

[Fr8t M8te]

Never mind the noise on the outside......what about the bleedin' noise on the INSIDE!!!:eek:

[Zoner]

Our -200's usually are bulked out at 240,000 lbs. The -400 doesn't really have any additional space, just weight capability. It would be interesting to hear from some 400 drivers how often they hit max payload.

[Intruder]

I take off at, or very close to, the 396.9 Tonne Max TOGW quite often.

[CargoOne]

Just wondering if quoted 95t max payload is gross or nett?
If 95 is gross is sounds more like MD11F competitor...

[CR2]

Was wondering about that too CargoOne. Factory build -400Fs have a max payload in the order of 128-129T.

[acmi48]

400f conversion
i suppose if you got 2 conversions plus spares for the price of a new 400f it might make sence..who are the first takers thought to be qry.
BTW anyone know what a second hand 10 yr old 400f wud be worth on the market

[CargoOne]

CR2,
I think either there is an error with quoted payload, or it will be questionable demand for such conversion.
Even if 95 is nett, what is the typical weight of full ULD set for -400F? Something like 4-5t? 100t gross - that's even less than old -200SF...

P.S. acmi48 but if you get 2x MD11F plus spares for the price less than 1 new 744F - you will get more profits carrying the same weight as quoted for this conversion :)

[Dan Winterland]

Boeing quoted in an article in Flight last year that the price of a 2nd hand 744 had to drop below $40m to make coversions viable. With United offloading some of their aircraft, this must have happened.

As for the 95T, must be a mistake. You can get over 100T in a classic SF - the 744 has another 20T MTOW on top of the Classic.

[Intruder]

The 128-129T payload cited is based on max ZFW. It is possible the loads quoted in the TAECO article are based on a longer or "typical" route...

[stormin norman]

For information United has just put 20 + 400's on the market for $20 each .What price a classic now ?

[Buster Hyman]

Could Boeing be taking advantage of weak prices for large aircraft in an attempt to thwart the impact of the A380F? Why pay for a new aircraft with it's associated costs & ground support, when you can cheaply convert 744's that are compatible with most airlines already!

[raitfaiter]

Might be the weight of the masking tape and kim wipe left on the airframe..... ask the CX Airbus drivers......:D