A couple watch the impressive sight of a Dreamlifter taking off from Prestwick. The aircraft are frequent visitors to this Scottish airport, which is used as refuelling stop between Italy and the US.

First flight of the second Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter took place at Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport on February 16, 2007. The aircraft was converted from 747-409 N780BA (c/n 24310), not N249BA(c/n 24309) as previously reported when the aircraft was rolled out on January 7 - the latter is allocated as the third aircraft for conversion. The second aircraft was expected to be delivered to the USA in a matter of weeks and Boeing reports that, after several delays late last year, the flight test programme is now proceeding well, with US Federal Aviation Administration certification anticipated within the next few months.

Roll out of the second specially modified Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter that will be used to carry 787 Dreamliner components, 747-409 N249BA (c/n 24309), took place on January 7, 2007 at Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation's facility at Tapei/Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan. The aircraft was already painted up in 'Dreamlifter' colours, Boeing having announced on December 7 that this name had been selected as the most appropriate for the type.

Самолеты Dreamliner, изготовленные фирмой "Evergreen" на своем заводе в аэропорту Чан Кай Ши, Тайвань.
Специальные грузовые самолеты SATIC Beluga и Boeing Dreamlifter (на снимке) создавались исключительно для перевозки крупногабаритных грузов, например, авиадвигателей и секций самолетов.

Normally used to transport 787 sub-assemblies, last July Boeing 747 Dreamlifters were used to transport personal protection face masks, as seen here at Salt Lake City, Utah

By using the Dreamlifter for carrying outsize loads, Boeing is following the example set by Airbus of transporting parts between production sites by air. For many years the European consortium used the Super Guppy, though the type has now been replaced by the A300-600ST Super Transporter.

A modified Dreamlifter in operation by Atlas Air. With a volume of 65,000 cubic feet (1,840m3) the Dreamlifter can hold three times as much as a 747-400F freighter

This photo of Dreamlifter N780BA, helps to illustrate the extent to which the fuselage of the original 747-400 has been altered. This angle also shows one of the hinges at the rear for the swing-tail.

Former China Airlines Boeing 747-409 N780BA (c/n 24310) nears completion of its conversion to Large Cargo Freighter configuration in Evergreen’s facility in Taipei, Taiwan. First flight was anticipated in August 2006.

В работе над Boeing 787 Dreamliner участвовали специалисты из многих стран. На первом этапе реализации программы возникла проблема доставки крупных узлов фюзеляжа с разбросанных по всему миру заводов. Как и на "Airbus", специалисты пришли к выводу, что потребуется специальный грузовой самолет. В итоге "Boeing" заключила контракт с предприятием "Evergreen" в городе Тайбэй на переоборудование трех авиалайнеров 747-400 в 747 Large Cargo Freighter путем расширения верхней части фюзеляжа, вместимость которой втрое превысила грузовой объем стандартного лайнера 747-400.
9 сентября 2006г.: в международном аэропорту Тао-Юань, Тайвань, впервые взлетел грузовой самолет Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) (N747BC). Он совершил полет продолжительностью 2ч 4 мин. Первый из них приземлился в Сиэтле 16 сентября 2006 года с нанесенной на металлическую обшивку грунтовкой.
Boeing 747-4J6 N747BC (c/n 25879) gets airborne on September 9, 2006 from Taipei/Taoyuan International Airport (formerly Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport), Taiwan, on its maiden flight following conversion to Large Cargo Freighter configuration for transporting 787 Dreamliner sub-assemblies.

Sections of 787 are unloaded at Everett, where Boeing has its final assembly plant for the Dreamliner. The all-composite forward section, wrapped in white and known as section 41, is manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, while behind it are sections 47 and 48 produced by Vought Aircraft Industries in Charleston.

Боинг-747LCF

Основная функция Boeing Dreamlifter - логистика в интересах программы Boeing 787

A view of the cavernous interior of a Dreamlifter, which has a volume of 65,000 cuft. Four of these aircraft will eventually be in service when Dreamliner production ramps up.