Boeing takes a special delivery

Boeing says it is showing steady progress toward building the first 787 Dreamliner with the rollout of its second specially-modified freighter and a successful first pickup of 787 parts from Japan.

The load consists of section 43, a forward fuselage section made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and section 11/45, the centre wheel well and centre wing tank, made by KHI and Fuji Heavy Industries and joined at FHI.

These were loaded onto the 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter -- now known as the Dreamlifter -- on January 12 at Centrair Airport in Nagoya. The large composite parts are destined for Charleston, South Carolina.

In another sign of production readiness, the second Dreamlifter rolled out of the hangar January 7 in Taipei, Taiwan. The airplane will take its first flight in the next several weeks.

Three Dreamlifters are being modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation at its facility at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.