Boeing 747-8F - A long history

In the long line in it's historic life, today, the boeing 747 series takes another step in it's venture that started some 41 years ago, into "Super Jumbo" greatness. The 747 has always been an icon at airports around the world with the public and aviators alike - It's shape and design and mainly it's size. It's title as largest passenger aircraft may have been taken by the Airbus A380 - But today the 747-8F will take to the sky for the very first time.
The 747 has become popular over the years as a freighter - So the 747-8F makes sense. Statistics show that 747 variants carried around half the worlds freight in 2007.. So it is no surprise that boeing want to take advantage of their dominant position in the market place, modernize and improve their successful product.
The 747-8F will have a MTOW of 442,000 kg and Max. Payload of 140,000 kg - topped with a range of 4,390 nmi. Four extra pallet positions are available on the main deck with either two LD3/ two Pallet or three extra pallets on the lower deck compared with the 747-400F.

The 747-8F is expected to offer 16% lower ton per mile operating cost with a slightly greater range than offered by past variants. The 747-8's 65,000 lb (29,000 kg) MTOW increase has been directed exclusively to its Zero Fuel Weight or payload capacity. If taking off at maximum payload, the 747-8 takes off with its tanks not full. On trips where the payload is not at maximum, the plane can take on more fuel and extend its range. 
An airline I have experience with is the launch customer: Cargolux Airlines (CV)


You can view the test take off here: http://bit.ly/9FIDjF
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Should keep you up-to-date on what's happening at Paine Field in Everett

Cheers @carlhogan