Boeing 747 freighter program follows course of troubled 787

[Chris Kennedy]

Sounds like it might be a while before there are production models to photograph.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/13/business/la-fi-boeing-20100913

[Rob Silliman]

Why don't they call this what it really is - a brand new airplane.

- new wings
- new engines
- new flaps
- updated avionics

The extra length in the fuselage - is probably the easiest part of redesign.

[Joe Copalman]

Why don't they call this what it really is - a brand new airplane.

I know, right?  It's not like they're trying to pull a fast one over on Congress like they did with the "updated" F/A-18 that became the Super Hornet.  Maybe this "update" was labeled as such to ease investor concerns?  Upgrading the tried and true involves much less risk than blazing a new trail.