The first modern version - The Boeing 747-400In this fourth part on the queen of the skies you will get to know the current version of the queen of the skies - the Boeing 747-400. This particular subtype with its many different versions became a sales success right from the start. Externally it does not look to different from the previous model, the 300, but internally Boeing completely revamped the majestic bird. For the first time in a Jumbo Jet the station of the flight engineer was removed and instead a new electronic EFIS cockpit (electronic flight instrumentation system) with a FMS (flight management system) computer was installed. All relevant flight information is shown on 6 CRT (cathode ray tube) screens. Again some minor aerodynamic improvements were made to the airframe, including new wing/fuselage fairings and an additional fuel tank in the horizontal stabilizer. Perhaps the most visible change is the addition of an 1.8 m wingtip extension and the fitting of large winglets. The 400 series was first offered in 1985 and Northwest Airlines became the first customer. In addition to the pure passenger model, again a combi version and a domestic version for Japan was offered and built. This domestic version, tagged the Boeing 747-400D, omitted the winglets because its fuel saving effect becomes only effective during long cruise and the 400D is only beeing used for short domestic hops. 1993 saw the delivery of the first 400F to launch customer Cargolux. The 400F is the all cargo variant based on the fuselage of the Boeing 747-200 (and thus the short hump) but with the wings and winglets, as well as with the flight deck from the Boeing 747-400. From the beginning the three big engine manufacturers offered new engines for the 400 series. The typical MTOW for a 747-400 is between 385.000 and 394.000 kgs, however a new extended range version - the 747-400ER - with an MTOW of 412.769 kgs entered service with Qantas Airways in 2002. Based on this ER model an improved freighter, the 400ERF was introduced and proved popular with many cargo operators. Both ER versions have their airframe, wings and gear strengthened and carry additonal fuel tanks in their belly. The standard range of the 400 is 13.565 km with the ER version adding another 805 km extra range. In total 694 Boeing 747-400 of all versions have been built, the last one rolled of the Boeing assembly line in August 2009. As from now on all Jumbos will be of the new Boeing 747-8i and 747-8F variant, with the first one currently under construction (please see my earlier blog posts).
