Which 747 is this? Photo quiz

Look closely, then choose

Nine photographs, nine questions. Some ask for a variant; others ask what a modified 747 does. Every answer explains the visible clues.

Without JavaScript, browse the photographs and open each answer below.

1. Question 1 of 9

   Which group of 747s has this original, short upper-deck profile?

   

   Look at where the upper deck ends relative to the wing. The photo alone cannot reliably separate the original -100 from a -200.

   747-100 or 747-200747-300 passenger model747-8 IntercontinentalDreamlifter
   Show answer and explanation

   747-100 or 747-200. The original -100 and -200 share this short upper-deck silhouette. This particular aircraft, D-ABYB, was a 747-130. Registration records identify the exact model; counting upper-deck windows alone is unreliable.

   How the -100 and -200 differ

2. Question 2 of 9

   Which passenger variant was Iron Maiden’s Ed Force One in 2016?

   

   This full-length passenger jumbo has a stretched upper deck. The tour livery identifies the aircraft; this side-on photograph does not clearly show its wingtips.

   747SP747-200747-400747-8
   Show answer and explanation

   747-400. Ed Force One in 2016 was a 747-400, registered TF-AAK. The aircraft record confirms the exact variant. Upright winglets are a common -400 clue, but they are not clearly visible in this photograph. The domestic 747-400D was built without them.

   The story of Ed Force One

3. Question 3 of 9

   Which newer factory freighter is pictured here?

   

   It has a short upper deck, a stretched main fuselage and swept-back wingtip extensions rather than upright winglets.

   747-8F747SPDreamlifter747-300 passenger model
   Show answer and explanation

   747-8F. This is the first 747-8 Freighter. The -8F combines the short freighter upper deck with the stretched -8 fuselage and raked wingtips. A short upper deck by itself does not mean an aircraft is an early 747.

   Compare the two 747-8 models

4. Question 4 of 9

   Which passenger-derived 747 family has this long upper deck and raked wingtip shape?

   

   Ignore the plain white paint. Compare the upper-deck length and wingtip shape with the previous freighter.

   747-100747-8 Intercontinental747SP747-200F
   Show answer and explanation

   747-8 Intercontinental. This aircraft is a passenger-derived 747-8 Intercontinental undergoing flight tests. The -8 passenger model has a much longer upper deck than the -8F, while both use the new raked wingtip design.

   The 747-8 Intercontinental

5. Question 5 of 9

   Which shortened member of the 747 family underlies this airborne observatory?

   

   Notice the unusually short fuselage, full-sized wing and tall tail. The observation equipment is in the rear fuselage.

   747-8F747-400747SP747-300
   Show answer and explanation

   747SP. SOFIA was a modified 747SP, the Special Performance model. Its shortened fuselage and taller tail make it the most distinctive standard 747 variant. A telescope was installed behind a large rear-fuselage door.

   SOFIA and its telescope

6. Question 6 of 9

   What is the name of this 747 with a greatly enlarged cargo body?

   

   The upper fuselage stays wide for most of the aircraft. Its enormous cargo compartment carries aircraft assemblies.

   Shuttle Carrier AircraftDreamlifterSOFIA747-400 Combi
   Show answer and explanation

   Dreamlifter. The Dreamlifter is a converted 747-400 with an enlarged fuselage and a swing-open tail. It was built to transport large Boeing 787 assemblies. It is not a standard production 747 freighter.

   Inside the Dreamlifter

7. Question 7 of 9

   Which special 747 role is unmistakable in this photograph?

   

   Look at the payload above the fuselage and the extra stabilising fins on the tailplane.

   Airborne observatoryAerial firefighting tankerShuttle Carrier AircraftDreamlifter
   Show answer and explanation

   Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. NASA used two Shuttle Carrier Aircraft to ferry orbiters between landing sites and launch or museum facilities. Both began as early 747-100-family airframes and gained support struts plus extra tailplane fins.

   NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

8. Question 8 of 9

   Which specialised command aircraft has the prominent radome behind the upper deck?

   

   The communications bulge on top of the fuselage distinguishes this aircraft from an ordinary passenger 747.

   E-4B NightwatchSOFIADreamlifterEd Force One
   Show answer and explanation

   E-4B Nightwatch. This is the E-4B Nightwatch, a command aircraft based on the 747-200B. Its raised dorsal radome houses satellite communications equipment. The bulge is a role-specific modification.

   The E-4B Nightwatch

9. Question 9 of 9

   What job was this converted jumbo equipped to do?

   

   Look at the tanker titles and the distinctive red-and-white colour scheme. This is a special mission aircraft photographed on the ground.

   Air-to-air refuellingAerial firefightingShuttle transportAstronomical observation
   Show answer and explanation

   Aerial firefighting. The Global SuperTanker was a converted 747-400 used for aerial firefighting. Its installed tanks and discharge equipment carried water or fire retardant. Markings and conversion records, rather than the airframe’s silhouette alone, identify this special role.

   The Global SuperTanker