JAL Cargo goes bare metal

[newscaster]

JL have finally decided to stop painting their freighters and will sport the American Airlines and defunct Flying Tigers shiny metal look, their two new 744F, of which one has been delievered are in the "new" scheme which JAL had been evaluating on a 742F since nearly a decade, JL have also become the third airline to convert some of their passenger 744's into Special Freighters, three of the aircraft will be converted starting Dec '05, they will also be wearing the bare metal scheme.

[we_never_change]

Presumably this saves money on painting the things!

WNC

[Nineiron]

Paint v Polish

There's a bit more to it than that, a paint job uses over half a ton of usable payload, but a polished aircraft costs more to maintain, but is easier to inspect.

Detailed explanation on http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aer...y/fo01txt.html

[newscaster]

Here's the 744SF, they will also be configured to carry 19 people ,a first for a freighter, why?

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/stor...JAL_inside.jpg

[turbynetrip]

We flew some ex-Tigers (-200F's) planes that had at least 12 pax seats on the upper deck... good for couriers, grooms, co. people etc. Very comfy...!

I parked next to a JAL -400F in Narita last week...it looked stunning...

TT

[Buster Hyman]

newscaster. 19 would be roughly, a full 747 tech & cabin crew load. Pax em on a freighter & they release revenue seats back to the punters. They can also serve themselves!

However, they would need to "extend" the upper deck cabin from what I believe the original intention was for the 744SF. I guess JAL Cargo would be real happy to lose the "valuable" Q7 positions!