Unidentified 747-8 launch customer?

David747 · Post by **David747** » 09 Jun 2006, 10:56

Boeing posted an order for one 747-8 in its order and delivery books on the Boeing website. As well, Seattle Post Intelligentcer is reporting on this unidentified customer.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/ ... ing09.html

I wonder who order that plane, and why they would only order one plane. I think Boeing is waiting until the Farnborough Airshow to reveal its recent unidentified orders.

CX · Post by CX » 09 Jun 2006, 10:57

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... 747-8.html

lol you were 2 minutes quicker than me..haha

Anyway, ONE unit of 748? Could it be just Boeing using it for themselves transporting their workers or something? I mean ordering ONE unit is pretty useless...

David747 · Post by **David747** » 09 Jun 2006, 11:06

I think it could be Boeing, there is no other explaination as to why one order other than Boeing using this plane for itself, but who knows, I love the mystery

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 09 Jun 2006, 11:14

I would rather guess a VIP plane

Chris

CX · Post by CX » 09 Jun 2006, 11:19

A 747 for VIP??

David747 · Post by **David747** » 09 Jun 2006, 11:22

Probably a government 747?

CX · Post by CX » 09 Jun 2006, 11:51

Air Force 1 replacement??

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 09 Jun 2006, 21:03

CX wrote:Air Force 1 replacement??

Not if it is just one. If it was AF 1 replacement, they would order 3 or 4 of them

:):):):)
This is a bit of a mystery, im curious as to who would order just 1

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 09 Jun 2006, 21:27

Very interesting. Could it be the Japanese government? I remember they have at least one B747-400.

Buzz · Post by **Buzz** » 10 Jun 2006, 10:29

Maybe one of the 2 launch customers just excercised an option and haven't made it public yet?

CX · Post by CX » 10 Jun 2006, 11:01

but who wants ONE??

Knight255 · Post by **Knight255** » 10 Jun 2006, 17:45

That would be interesting to see an Air Force One replacement. Then they could use the ones that they have now as backups and ditch the 707's.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 10 Jun 2006, 17:53

Air Force One replacement is in the works, but it wouldnt be just one.......this is a big mystery

:)):)

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 11 Jun 2006, 03:32

The 747-200's that were converted for US Presidential transport (Air Force 1) took about 2 years for the conversion. The work was done at E-Systems in Greenville, Texas. The plane was extensively modified and electronically hardened. It is indeed a curious situation to order only one plane. Certainly no airline would order just one, and the Presidential transport requirement is for 2 of them, so I'll guess that the customer is a major government who will use it for experimental purposes (like an airborne laser?).

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 11 Jun 2006, 03:57

smokejumper wrote:The 747-200's that were converted for US
, so I'll guess that the customer is a major government who will use it for experimental purposes (like an airborne laser?).

Only gov. involved in that is the US gov. I think we all know the US gov. doesnt do anything on a small scale

David747 · Post by **David747** » 11 Jun 2006, 04:15

Could this mystery customer be......QANTAS? I love the speculation

RC20 · Post by **RC20** » 11 Jun 2006, 05:33

CX wrote:but who wants ONE??

I do!

Pax version, so maybe GB is finally going to get a real aircarft for TB.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 11 Jun 2006, 06:21

RC20 wrote:
CX wrote:but who wants ONE??
I do!

Pax version, so maybe GB is finally going to get a real aircarft for TB.

Wouldnt that be interesting if it is the British gov. Finally purchasing an airplane for the prime minister

:):):):):)

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 11 Jun 2006, 16:59

Knight255 wrote:That would be interesting to see an Air Force One replacement. Then they could use the ones that they have now as backups and ditch the 707's.

I thought they already replaced all the 707's with 757's.

Knight255 · Post by **Knight255** » 11 Jun 2006, 18:03

I thought they already replaced all the 707's with 757's.

Not quite sure. You may be correct.