TAIPEI, Taiwan-The Boeing Co. (Chicago) has completed construction of its first Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), a modified 747 that will ferry major subassemblies of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner between fabrication plants and the 787 final assembly plant in Everett, WA.
The airplane is one of three modified jets that will be used to transport everything from wing components to complete fuselage sections. Boeing has indicated it may build more LCFs in the future, depending on demand. The 787 is scheduled to take it maiden flight in late 2007. Boeing will begin delivering the aircraft to customers in 2008.
Although the LCF is a Boeing creation, Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. performed the actual modifications. Evergreen Aviation is currently modifying a second LCF for completion this fall. The company will begin work in the third airplane in 2007.