Forgive an old man and his flights of fancy... But upon hearing that UPS has officially welcomed the first Boeing 747-400 freighter into its European air fleet following a ceremony at its international air hub in Cologne/Bonn Biglorryblog found himself wondering why don't trucks loads this way?
I reckon we've been hinging tilt cabs the wrong way! Just imagine having one on an 18-tonner that hinged along the top of its roof. All you'd have to do is flip it up (making sure the driver is out of the cab) and load straight through to the body. Eureka! No more awkward reversing onto a loading bay--just drive up to it and Robert's your Dad's brother! (I'm off to patent my very own flip nose truck now...)
Meanwhile, BL:B understands the jumbo Freighter will do the Cologne to Hong Kong 'night trunk' five days a week, "supporting the growing needs of our customers on a key lane into and out of one of Asia's foremost business centres." Well whatever... Although I think I can hear the UPS driver now "What Hong Kong again? How come I never get Scotch Corner any more?" And for some really interesting UPS 747 Freighter 'factoids' click through here...
And by the way this ISN'T flip nose Boeing 747 Freighter--It's a UPS hybrid delivery van. But I thought I better out a commercial vehicle on this page in case you all thought you'd somehow accidentally stumbled onto BigPlaneblog... (Now there's a thought).
The 747-400 has a payload of approximately 120 tonnes with a range of 4,400 nautical miles. It has 30 load positions on its main deck and can carry 32 smaller containers on its lower deck.The aircraft is powered by General Electric CF6-80C2B5F engines. The 747-400 is also the first freighter in the UPS fleet with a hinged nose. bet it won't be the last! The aircraft's nose-loading capability is ideal for air freight, allowing for extra large or extra long shipments...
I bet the pilot dosen't get told "you're not booked in pal" or "Oi you cant park there!" Then followed by "no you cant use the toilet".
But he's a profesional!
but the burning question is 'does he get shell plus points when he fills up????'
I'd like to see him pay £23.50 a night at South Mimms !!!