BOEING HAS solved the last major design issues involved in converting the all-passenger version of the 747-300 to a freighter. The first modification could begin as early as next April.
Boeing Wichita's Modification Responsibility Center has already completed engineering work on the 747-300 Combi conversion, and it will be ready to begin the first modification to special freighter later in 1996.
"The problem [with the -300] until now has been that you lose the capacity for [one] 10ft [3m] pallet because of the extended upper deck," says commercial-modification programme manager Allan Burch. Boeing has now devised a solution, but declines to give details for competitive reasons.
"We will probably offer a slot for the all-passenger to special-freighter conversion in the second quarter of 1997," says Burch. The -300 will have the same 110,300kg payload capacity as the -200 special freighter, "depending on the engine and wing of the particular -300 version", he adds. No operators have yet signed up for the conversion, "...but we are talking to several customers", says Burch.
Boeing believes that the -300's main advantage as a conversion candidate, is its current availability for modification.
Boeing Wichita, meanwhile, delivered its 68th converted 747-100/200 freighter at the end of March. The company has a backlog of nine, including three for Cathay Pacific. One of the Cathay aircraft is expected to become the first 747 special freighter to be fitted with modifications allowing it to take a 30th freight pallet. Aircraft are now being offered with space for 29 pallets.
Source: Flight International
