Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter
The Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter is a heavily modified 747 freighter built to ferry large, partially assembled 787 Dreamliner fuselage and wing sections between Boeing's global suppliers and its final assembly lines. Its cargo hold bulges out far beyond a standard 747's fuselage, and the entire tail section swings open on a hinge to load oversized composite structures end-on. Only four were converted from used passenger 747-400s, and each is dedicated almost exclusively to shuttling 787 components rather than general cargo. Its ungainly, bulbous shape has made it one of the most recognisable special-purpose cargo aircraft flying today.
Did you know?
The Dreamlifter's entire tail section swings open on a hinge, letting oversized 787 fuselage sections load straight in from behind.
Specifications
| Length | 71.7 m (235 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 64.4 m (211 ft) |
| Height | 21.3 m (70 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 364 t |
| Range | 3,700 NM (6,852 km) |
| Maximum speed | 490 kt (907 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 43,100 ft (13,137 m) |
| Take-off distance | 2,800 m (9,186 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 199,100 l |
| Engines | 4x General Electric CF6-80C2 |
| Units built | 4 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Boeing 747-400LCF Dreamlifter starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Boeing, the 747-400LCF Dreamlifter family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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