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river
Forums Junkie

Location:
Land of Oz
Registered:
June 2004

Re: jumbo jet 1/4 mile

Tue, 30 November 2004 21:01

Hi,

Bill Sherwood wrote on Tue, 30 November 2004 23:30

]Still got plenty of life left in it. The latest planned version is to use technology from the 7E7 & 777 programmes, and it'll be a lot lighter and more fuel efficient than the current -400's.
There'll still be 747's flying around a good twenty-plus years from now.

I'm sure there'll be 747s flying in another 40 years. However, the sales figures of the 747 are not what they once were and upgrades in avionics and power plants will keep it in the market for some time, but the 747 is a 1960s designed aircraft and the newer aircraft today are more efficient. Boeing has tried a few attempts at further stretches and that, but, the Airlines like newer things and are more keen on getting the latest stuff and it's not economically viable for Boeing to re-engineer the entire 747. More efficient engines and the latest avionics is the most cost-effective way to keep these aircraft going (a la DC8-63 into a DC8-73), but you can only go so far with that option. To lose more weight they will need composite materiels and I doubt Boeing will go through the expense of doing this on the 747 without guaranteed buyers. The buyers are looking at the new Airbus and the 777 models and are not showing too much interest in a "new" 747. Such a shame.

However, should the A380 run into major problems or whatever, it may open a door for Boeing to do this as Airlines will be clambering for large capacity aircraft and a "new" 747 could be just the ticket (assuming the mods make it more efficient than the A340 series).

Eventually the 747 will go the way of the older DC8 type planes, where they will be used on freight and in secondary level airlines. Hell, even the old 707 is still kicking around the skies in some places. Even the DC6 is still getting around, and also the famous DC3 still soldiers on. You can't keep a good plane down.

Boeing currently has two main product lines that have good sales and a good future for more sales - namely the 777 and the venerable 737. They stopped 757 production this year and the 767 production lines will be shutting down very soon. The sales just aren't there to keep these lines open. Sadly, the 747 is heading that way too. This is a shame 'cos I love the 747 and it will be a sad day indeed when you don't see them in the sky anymore.

The B52 has been given approval for re-engining - replacing the 8 turbojets for 4 turbofans. The USAF hopes this gives them another 40 years of life - which will make the B52 90 years old by then!

I also think the US have modded a couple of 747 for fire-bombing. Imagine one of these, flying just above tree-top level at low speed and dumping all that retardent? That'd be most impressive.

At the end of the day the 747 "Queen of the Skies" will slowly disappear like so many other classics. I remember how sad I was when the RA28 production creased, and I sure I'll be just as sad when the 747 comes to an end.

seeyuzz
river

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