First production 747-8 Freighter leaves factory

Boeing announced that last Thursday the first production 747-8 Freighter left the assembly line and is now undergoing customer modifications for launch customer Cargolux.  This is the 4th 747-8F built at the Everett, WA plant.  The first three aircraft are involved in the flight test program, but will eventually be converted into commercial aircraft once testing is completed.  As for the passenger version (the 747-8 Intercontinental), Boeing expects assembly to begin sometime in May of this year.