Airbus to build more Belugas.

[PaulST]

Source: Airbus to build five new “Beluga” transport aircraft | Australian Aviation
Airbus are building 5 more Beluga-like aircraft to cater for the expected increased demand with the A350 going on sale shortly. The current Beluga is A300-based but the 5 new ones are going to be A330-based.

I can't but help think that there's already a perfect freighter for Airbus... Boeing: Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World's Best Freighters

 

[samh004]

It's true the Boeing DreamLifter has a slightly wider compartment (8.38m v. 7.4m), but I can't find any information on the length of the compartment (though would assume the Boeing, being based on a 747, is longer). Airbus, no one in fact, can buy the DreamLifter though

 

[albatross710]

). Airbus, no one in fact, can buy the DreamLifter though

With the small production numbers for these aircraft are they manufactured and operated under exception regulations?

Less testing as they are based on similar airframes and not passenger carrying?

 

[samh004]

With the small production numbers for these aircraft are they manufactured and operated under exception regulations?

Less testing as they are based on similar airframes and not passenger carrying?

All I read was that Boeing does not sell them... so even if Airbus wanted one, they couldn't buy one. That said, perhaps publicity of such a deal would win out, but I'm sure there have been other operators who had thought they might make a wise investment and been turned away.

 

[PaulST]

All I read was that Boeing does not sell them... so even if Airbus wanted one, they couldn't buy one. That said, perhaps publicity of such a deal would win out, but I'm sure there have been other operators who had thought they might make a wise investment and been turned away.

I would have though that a second hand 744-F might have been far cheaper but alas the obvious publicity would probably kill off that option.

 

[TomVexille]

I would have though that a second hand 744-F might have been far cheaper but alas the obvious publicity would probably kill off that option.

Just think of the message that would send.

"a second hand freighter our competitor built is better than anything we can build..."

 

[harvyk]

Source: Airbus to build five new “Beluga” transport aircraft | Australian Aviation
Airbus are building 5 more Beluga-like aircraft to cater for the expected increased demand with the A350 going on sale shortly. The current Beluga is A300-based but the 5 new ones are going to be A330-based.

I can't but help think that there's already a perfect freighter for Airbus... Boeing: Boeing 747-400 Freighter Family: The World's Best Freighters

Wouldn't be the first time Airbuses where delivered on the wings of a Boeing -> Aero Spacelines Super Guppy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[UP4014]

Wouldn't be the first time Airbuses where delivered on the wings of a Boeing -> Aero Spacelines Super Guppy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It would seem they had a couple.

Matt