B-747-400 SF conversions in progress
 

Does anybody know who the customer is for these two 747-400s? They are supposedly in Tel Aviv undergoing 400 SF cargo conversion. Prior Air Canada airplanes.

N575GP (#25075)
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/752987/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/722038/M/

N998G (#24998)
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/724508/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/722169/M/

For Guggenheim Aviation Partner?
 

So who is Guggenheim Aviation Partner?



Bedek B747SF line 'full until end of 2008'
Bedek Aviation, the freighter conversion arm of Israel Aircraft Industries, has B747-400 conversion slots fully booked until the end of 2008, according to its director marketing cargo conversions, Dariush Lavian.

Though first to launch a -400SF conversion programme in 2003, ahead of Boeing, Bedek has until now not announced any firm orders, a surprise given the intense interest in the aircraft type from airlines across the world.

However, Lavian says its first two aircraft – former Air Canada combis to be converted for lessor Guggenheim Aviation Partner - have now been confirmed, and he says at least five airline customers have signed MoUs or paid non-refundable deposits for conversions of B747-400 passenger aircraft.

“The contracts are not yet finalised, but these are firm orders,” he says. “Our strategy is not to reveal their names yet, but they include carriers from the Far East, Europe and the US. In all, we are talking about 10 combis and eight passenger planes to be converted so far.”

So strong has been the demand for the conversions that Bedek is considering expanding its capacity. It currently has two conversion lines for the -400SFs at its Tel Aviv factory, and is thinking of adding a third in 2006. “Our strategic partner, a European finance company, is also thinking of opening a new site in 2007, which would have another three lines,” Lavian says. “Our problem is not finding customers, but trying to find creative solutions to satisfy the demands of all the ones we have.”

Bedek still needs to obtain the STCs for its conversions, but Lavian expects the combi one to be available by the end of this year, following induction of the first aircraft in March, while for the passenger variant he expects the first aircraft to be inducted in December, with the STC available by October 2006.

He refutes any suggestion by Boeing that Bedek’s solution is a non-OEM one.

“We are an OEM,” he says. “IAI manufacturers aircraft, so we have wind tunnels and all the engineering expertise we need to do this conversion. We also did 41 B747-100 and -200 conversions.”

He points out that Boeing has also used Russian engineering expertise and Asian subcontractors on its solution.

“So while I am not knocking Boeing, I don’t see anything to justify the extra price tag they are charging,” he says.

Given the popularity of -400 conversions, Lavian does not expect demand for new B747-400Fs to survive for long.

“There is no doubt the new freighter has a better payload and a bit better range, but most B747 operators fly volumetric anyway,” he says. “I don’t believe any carriers will be buying new 747-400Fs anymore.”

Disregard, I guess I answered my own question.


Boeing, Guggenheim Aviation Finalize 747-400 Special Freighter Deal

Boeing and Guggenheim Aviation Partners recently signed an agreement to purchase four Boeing 747-400 Special Freighters. Guggenheim, a U.S-based aviation investment firm, will make the aircraft available to cargo operators starting in 2007.

The special freighter program converts passenger 747-400s to cargo carriers. Guggenheim is acquiring the four airplanes through Boeing Aircraft Trading. A Boeing-approved modification facility will convert the airplanes between 2006 and 2009, a process that Boeing\'s Commercial Aviation Services unit will manage.

The Guggenheim team has undertaken several passenger-to-freighter conversions, and recently Guggenheim leased an MD-11 to Martinair in the Netherlands .

They are in TEL and they are being converted - but contrary to popular belief - they have no customer yet (the big rumor here in Canada is that they are for a Chinese customer). There are interested parties, but Guggenheim Aviation doesn't even know what the final cost is yet as they also need 'D' checks - so they aren't taking offers yet. I think the first goes in in March (comes out around Aug) and the second in July (comes out in Nov)

Guggenheim Aviation is basicly an arm (or offshoot) of GECAS, and based in Redmond WA I believe. GECAS owned the aircraft previously.

EVA have become the latest carrier to announce conversion plans for their 744 fleet, they're seeking the process be carried out in Taiwan.

Big rumor around here is that UPS will shortly announce orders for 25 747-400SFs.

Guggenheim buys ex-Singapore 747-400s
 

Could it be that Guggenheim is accumulating -400s for UPS? They are sure on a shopping spree. I think the count is six so far. Can anybody add to the list?

24061 PW4056 ex-Singapore
24066 PW4056 ex-Singapore
24226 PW4056 ex-Singapore
24975 PW4056 ex-Singapore
24998 PW4056 ex-Air Canada (GECA)
25075 PW4056 ex-Air Canada (GECA)

http://www.commercialaviationtoday.c...-20-Oct-04.htm

Boeing, Guggenheim Aviation Finalize 747-400 Special Freighter Deal
Boeing and Guggenheim Aviation Partners recently signed an agreement to purchase four Boeing 747-400 Special Freighters. Guggenheim, a U.S-based aviation investment firm, will make the aircraft available to cargo operators starting in 2007.

The special freighter program converts passenger 747-400s to cargo carriers. Guggenheim is acquiring the four airplanes through Boeing Aircraft Trading. A Boeing-approved modification facility will convert the airplanes between 2006 and 2009, a process that Boeing's Commercial Aviation Services unit will manage.
The Guggenheim team has undertaken several passenger-to-freighter conversions, and recently Guggenheim leased an MD-11 to Martinair in the Netherlands.

http://www.speednews.com/stw/123104/
GUGGENHEIM AVIATION PARTNERS purchased four ex-Singapore 747-400s (24061/24066/24226/24975) with PW4056s from Boeing Aircraft Trading, and contracted BOEING to convert aircraft to special freighters in 2006-2009. It plans to lease out aircraft in pax configuration in interim; AIR-INDIA has agreed to lease the first two (24066/24226).