Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11952 posts, RR: 37 Posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1248 times:
Does the conversion of a 744 pax aircraft to a BCF include the installation of a hinged nose - or upward opening nose door - whatever is the correct terminology, (as on standard 747 freighters?)
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1238 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Thread starter): Does the conversion of a 744 pax aircraft to a BCF include the installation of a hinged nose (as on standard 747 freighters?)
No, it does not. Same applies for the BDSF conversion by IAI.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21482 posts, RR: 24 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1225 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Thread starter): Does the conversion of a 744 pax aircraft to a BCF include the installation of a hinged nose - or upward opening nose door - whatever is the correct terminology, (as on standard 747 freighters?)
Have any 747s ever been modified to add the upward opening cargo door after the aircraft was built? I don't think so. That would be a huge job and very expensive.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26713 posts, RR: 83 Reply 3, posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1211 times:
I imagine it can be done, but if you need that capability, you are better off buying a new-build freighter based on the conversion and certification costs.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1198 times:
Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 2): Have any 747s ever been modified to add the upward opening cargo door after the aircraft was built?
I don't think so. All 747s that were converted to freighters only got the side cargo door (if they were full PAX aircraft and not combi) and the usual stuff that goes along for conversion like floor strenghening, deactivating doors that aren't required anymore, and window plugging.
Perhaps the only exception of sorts is the 747-200C, which is mostly being operated by MP. Those are quickchange aircraft which were basically the freighter airframe (with the nose cargo door), but with provisions for use as passenger aircraft. MP hasn't operated those as PAX aircraft since 2002, but they could in theory be put to PAX service when required, and later be changed to freighter configuration.
EI321 From Iraq, joined Jul 2009, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 9 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1091 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 3): I imagine it can be done, but if you need that capability, you are better off buying a new-build freighter based on the conversion and certification costs.
I believe that the supply of used 747F's is sufficient to satisfy the demand for the nose door. Only so many carriers actually need it.
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From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11952 posts, 
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