Remarks: A Kalitta classic making a heavy early morning departure from 07L. I can think of only a few other planes that look better than a classic in this kind of light. N704CK (c/n 22299 as the reg was subsequently reused) overran runway 20 in Brussels & broke into several pieces after a rejected takeoff due to a bird strike but thankfully there were no fatalities. The aircraft was written off. This was originally delivered to China Airlines Cargo in 1980.
Remarks: Dragonair Cargo ended operations in mid-2009 & merged with CX Cargo after the latter’s acquisition of Dragonair. B-KAF was the last freighter to leave the fleet & after being stored in Victorville was re-activated by Cathay Cargo.
B-KAF was originally delivered to SQ as a -412 9V-SMM in '92.
Remarks: It wasn’t too long ago CX was still flying the -200 freighters….and now the passengers -400s are being retired! B-HME was ferried to Victorville in early 2009 and ended up being scrapped there. It previously flew for Varig and Air Hong Kong.
Remarks: A very heavy Kalitta 747-100 departing Chek Lap Kok's 07L in superb early morning light.
This aircraft was reported stored in August of 2010, after 38 years of service that began with Japan Airlines.