An Antonov AN-124 parked next to the Future of Flight with a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter in the background – Photo: Future of Flight
It is hard to deny that Paine Field is freak’n awesome. Not only is this where Boeing builds all their new 747s, 767s, 777s and most of their 787s; it also houses old warbirds and often sees the Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter and sometimes an Antonov AN-124.
BONUS: Photo tour of the inside of an Antonov AN-124
It is always fun when catching some of these aircraft together. Today, an AN-124 was caught parked next to the Future of Flight (backed in) with a Dreamlifter in the background saying, “why hello.” Both are very cool cargo planes and getting them in the same picture is pretty epic.
Thanks to the Future of Flight for sharing their photo.
It is rare to catch more than two Boeing 747 Dreamlifters at Paine Field. It is even more special when one is able to catch three Dreamlifters. But three Dreamlifters and a Beechcraft Starship (NC-50 / N8285Q)? Oh yes!
On November 10th, that is exactly what happened next to the Future of Flight – Aviation Center & Boeing Tour — and what a view. The Dreamlifters were parked at their new Operations Center and the Starship was at a fund raiser for the Future of Flight.
There are four Dreamlifters that have been built (you might have remember that one recently landed at the wrong airport) and they are modified Boeing 747-400s used to transport 787 Dreamliner parts around the world.
Dreamlifter N780BA in Everett. Photo by Brandon Farris.
This past week I have traveled all over the place from Anchorage to Miami and even in Seattle a little bit. Something that was awesome while traveling to all of these places was the fact that I got to see three different Boeing Dreamlifters. It all started on Sunday when I got treated to N780BA coming into Everett.
Dreamlifter N718BA in Anchorage. Photo by Brandon Farris.
The next day I was taking a day trip up to Anchorage for some spotting and was treated to N718BA making a fuel stop on its way to Paine Field.
Dreamlifter N249BA in Miami. Photo by Brandon Farris.
And finally on Friday, while on the ramp tour in Miami I got to see N249BA being towed around the airport making it the third different Dreamlifter I had seen in a mere week!
The Dreamlifter is a transport aircraft that flies Boeing 787 parts around the world to Paine Field and Charleston, similar to the Airbus Beluga. Some might not see it as the most eye pleasing aircraft but it gets the job done one day at a time!
CHECK OUT MY OTHER AIRLINE SPOTTING PHOTOGRAPHY
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This story written by…Brandon Farris, Correspondent.
Brandon is an avid aviation geek based in Seattle. He got started in Photography and Reporting back in 2010. He loves to travel where ever he has to to cover the story and try to get the best darn shot possible.
@BrandonsBlog | RightStuffPhotography | Flickr |
Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter (N747BC) parked next to the Future of Flight at Paine Field.
During our TweetUp at the Future of Flight last Sunday, we all had the opportunity to get a close look at one of the Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifters. Off and on during the last few months there has been a Dreamlifter parked next to the Future of Flight, which provides folks with a closer view.
I have been under a Boeing 747-400 on the tarmac a few times and even been pretty close to the Dreamlifter, but neither compare to walking under and around one. The aircraft has such odd shapes and it seemed every angle provided an interesting photo.
On one side of the 747, was a parked Cessna 172. You can imagine that the Cessna looked quite small compared to the much larger Dreamlifter. On the other side of the Dreamlifter were five 787 Dreamliners. Someone remarked how small the 787’s looked compared to the Dreamlifter. I started to remark “yea you could fit one in the Dreamlifter,” when I realized the humor in that statement — they do fit in the Dreamlifter.
The Dreamlifter is used to transport Boeing 787 Dreamliner parts from around the world. The first Dreamlifter flew on August 17, 2006 and there is currently a fleet of four, which are all operated by Atlas Air.
This is one unique and interesting aircraft to say the least. Even if you can’t get under one on any given day, there is always a good chance you will find one parked at Paine Field or possibly taking off.
MORE PHOTOS:
* See rest of my photos of the Dreamlifter
* A few more photos from Jeremy with NYCAviation
* 16 photos from (@TxAgFlyer)
