The left hand side of the freshly unveiled Seattle Seahawks Boeing 747-8. Photo by Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com

The left-hand side of the freshly-unveiled Seattle Seahawks Boeing 747-8F – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com

To those of us in the Seattle area, it comes as no surprise that everyone has been pretty excited that the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.

The right side of the Boeing Seahawks Aircraft. Photo by Bernie Leighton | Airlinereporter.com

The right side of the Boeing Seahawks aircraft – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

Boeing, being one of the largest corporate sponsors of the Seahawks, has decided to join in. How they showed their support is exceptional.

It started with a surprise email from the Boeing media department this morning asking if we could attend an event at 2:00pm today. We could, and it ended with the reveal. We would have been on the ramp longer, but unfortunately, it was not only pouring rain but also deceptively cold.

The Seahawks aircraft grand reveal from building 45-01. Photo by Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com

The Seahawks aircraft grand reveal from Building 45-01 – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

Since I haven’t much to say – other than that I am in awe of the amazing effort undertaken and speed with which Boeing was able to get this top secret project completed – allow me to share some Seahawks-related 747-8 facts straight from Boeing.

The loudest Seahawks game is 38 times louder than the 747-8 is on departure. I know it may not seem that way numerically, but sound pressure is a logarithmic measurement.

Nothing like having a special scheme elevator hanging over your head. Photo by Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com

Nothing like having a special scheme elevator hanging over your head                         Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

Also, I am told that a 747-8F can carry roughly 121 million individual Skittles candies (if that makes no sense, it’s explained here). This is a sight I would love to partake in at some point.

For reference, N770BA used to look like this:

N770BA prior to its new role. Photo by Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter.com

N770BA prior to its new role – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter

If you were wondering, this aircraft will be flying around the Seattle Area as a part of its test program.  This aircraft, despite its stunning new livery, is still part of the Boeing test fleet. Of all the aircraft to paint, this one makes the most sense. No angry customers, and the opportunity to play with a blank canvas. It may just so happen that while the aircraft is painted like this, and prior to the Super Bowl- that this test routine will have some deviations from the norms. For example, do not be surprised if one of the tests Boeing performs over the next few days is “How does it look near the Space Needle?”.

CONTRIBUTOR - SEATTLE, WA. Bernie has traveled around the world to learn about, experience, and photograph different types of planes. He will go anywhere to fly on anything. He spent four years in Australia learning about how to run an airline, while putting his learning into practice by mileage running around the world. You can usually find Bernie in his natural habitat: an airport. Email: bernie@airlinereporter.com.

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Seattle #AvGeeks: Rally for the Seahawks and See the Spirit of 12s Boeing 747-8 Freighter
2 Comments
Tom Brown

It’s a beautiful airplane from takeoff to ________________

Get it? C’mon this is a Seahawks airplane!!!!!

Nicolas Hu

Being a 49ers fan, this 12th Plane is blah for me. But I still lile Boeing though.

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