Pan American World Airways introduced the Boeing 747 in 1970. It is one of aviation's most famous jets. Over the past five decades, the "Queen Of The Skies" has played a key role in inspiring long-haul travelers.
The Boeing 747 has seen many modifications over the years. It is now capable of carrying cargo and passengers, as well as passengers. Let's have a closer look at these modified versions.
1. Heads of State and VIP
One of the most well-known ways to transport heads of state is by using the Boeing 747. These 747s with highly modified engines are used to transport Presidents, Queens, and Prime Ministers.
"Air Force One" is used to transport President Donald Trump and is the most famous 747 used by heads of state. The VC-25A has all the safety equipment necessary to withstand any eventuality, and it can even sustain the US government in case of nuclear war.
VIP-configured 747s offer the ultimate luxury travel experience for everyone onboard. Bahrain, Brunei and China use the 747 as VIP transport aircraft.
2. Transporting parts for an aircraft
Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), the longest cargo aircraft in the world, is used by Boeing to transport components for its 787 Dreamliners between Italy and Japan.
Four 747-400LCFs currently operate and can be seen at Boeing assembly plants. These freighters have been operated by Atlas Air since 2010. These freighters were built from four 747-400 passenger aircraft. Two of them came from Air China, Malaysia Airlines and China Airlines.
These B747 LCF aircraft were used by Boeing to transport medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. SOFIA - Airborne Observatory
NASA and Deutsches Zentrum Fr Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center), jointly operate a modified Boeing 747 for overnight missions at an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet. This allows NASA to avoid most of the atmosphere's water vapour which makes it more accurate.
The 747SP, also known as SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), flew numerous missions from Cologne, Germany earlier in the year. A 100-inch telescope is included in the former Pan Am and United Airlines 747.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
4. A Firefighting Aircraft
The last 747 Supertanker, N744ST, was retired in April. However, there have been three modified 747s that were used over the years as Supertankers. After Global SuperTanker Services ran into financial difficulties, the third Supertanker (N744ST tail number 944) was finally retired.
Global SuperTanker Services sold Supertanker to National Airlines for conversion into a cargo plane. Planespotters.net reports that this 30-year-old jumbo was originally delivered to Japan Airlines as a passenger plane in November 1991.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
5. Launching Rockets
Virgin Galactic operates a modified Boeing 747-400 plane, also known as Cosmic Girl. It is used as a first stage launch platform to launch LauncherOne's rocket. Virgin Galactic bought the ex-Victor Atlantic passenger aircraft in 2015. Cosmic Girl is located at Long Beach Airport. It is currently registered as N744VG in America.
Cosmic Girl launched a failed LauncherOne from the Pacific Ocean on May 25, 2020. The second launch was successful on 17 January 2021.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
6. Transporting the Space Shuttle
NASA used two modified Jumbos to transport its space shuttles between 1977 and 2012. These jumbos were able to carry the shuttle on top their fuselages, providing a stunning sight for eyewitnesses and spotters.
NASA used the 747s most often between Edwards Air Force Base in California and Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility Florida.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
7. Engine TestBeds
Major aircraft engine manufacturers also use the 747 as a test bed. Currently, Pratt & Whitney and GE Aviation use 747s to test their engines. Rolls-Royce is the only other major aircraft engine manufacturer.
Pratt & Whitney owns two Boeing 747SPs with registrations C–FPAW and C–GTFF. GE Aviation also has a Boeing 747-405 registered N747GF as an engine testbed. Rolls-Royce also owns N787RR, and N747RR 747s. The latter is currently in storage. It was an ex-Qantas Boeing 747-400 and was transferred to Rolls-Royce December 2019.
8. A Military Command Center for Airborne Airborne Operations
Multiple modified versions of the Boeing 747 have been used by the United States Air Force. One of these modifications is the E-4B. It's a fully-equipped military command control and command centre.
This military version was created to provide the head and Secretary of Defence all necessary tools during wartime. Based on the 747-220, four E-4Bs were built in the 1970s.
E-4B in flight Source: Wikipedia
Are you familiar with these modified versions? Please comment below to let us know!
