The first wing spar for the 747-8F is being assembled at Boeing’s Everett, Wash. site marking the start of assembly of the new freighter model. The unit was loaded into a new automated assembly tool earlier this month following completion of the final 747-400 wing spar in a conventional jig late in July.

Final assembly of the first 747-8F is expected to begin early in 2009 with first delivery to launch customer Cargolux at the end of the year. Parts for the initial 747-8I Intercontinental passenger aircraft are due to enter assembly around September 2009.

Total orders for the 747-8 family currently stand at 105 of which 78 are freighters and 27 Intercontinental models. Of these -8Is, 20 are full passenger models while the balance will be for VIP and head of state customers.

The wing spar assembly tool for the 747-8 is the first of several new features to be inaugurated into use as part of a major revamp of the 747 production line at Everett. Other changes include upgraded hydraulic and electric power systems as well as stronger, larger overhead cranes and gantries that are required to carry the bigger sections of the 250.ft-long derivative. Boeing passed the 75% design release point on the 747-8F in the second quarter and expects to pass the 25% release point milestone for the -8I in the fourth quarter of 2008.

747-8F Cargolux

The first wing spar for the 747-8F is being assembled at Boeing’s Everett, Wash. site marking the start of assembly of the new freighter model. The unit was loaded into a new automated assembly tool earlier this month following completion of the final 747-400 wing spar in a conventional jig late in July.