But At Least It's Getting A Paint Job!

Boeing's Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) doesn't sport the clean, sharp, aesthetic lines those who find beauty in airplanes look for. In fact, it's rather bulbous and dumpy looking -- like a little brother who spends a little too much time with the Nintendo and Doritos.

But like that little brother, it's amazing what a little dress up and an attitude adjustment can do... and that's just what Boeing did for its LCF!

Calling it the Dreamlifter, Boeing unveiled the ungainly-looking LCF's new paint scheme. While it still can't be called beautiful in any traditional sense, the new name and paint certainly reduces the tendency to laugh out loud when you see one.

The LCF is a modified 747-400 serving a critical part of Boeing's new strategy for airplane building in a 21st-century world market. In a departure from the previous paradigm of "keep it all at home," Boeing has outsourced many of the largest sections of its new 787 Dreamliner to facilities abroad.

All of those sections, however, will return to Everett, WA for final assembly. Boeing designed the oddly bulging fuselage of the LCF to transport them.

The new moniker "Dreamlifter" is certainly much better than "Green Monster." That's the informal name it picked up as the one and only prototype LCF flew around Seattle on test flights wearing its flat green paint. Although Green Monster did have a certain appeal in a twisted sort of way.

Boeing officials say the second LCF should arrive at Boeing Field early next year from Taipei where workers modify the 747-400s. The company expects to receive FAA certification soon.

After February, Seattle residents will no longer have to put up with the Green Monster disgracing the city's lovely skyline -- Dreamlifter should have its new clothes by then.

FMI: www.boeing.com