MSGID: 2:292/854 08430e5e   
   REPLY: 1:135/250@fidonet 68e478b0   
   TZUTC: 0200   
   RR> Interesting, I was not even aware the Russians flew any passenger 747s,   
   RR> though I see that Rossiya does indeed have 747-400s.  I am currious what   
   RR> parts are interchangeable between the 747-8 and -400s (Which Rossiya has   
   RR> 12).   
       
   Rossiya inherited nine Boeing 747-400 aircraft from the bankrupt Transaero in   
   2016 and was using some of them for domestic flights.   
       
   It had planned to retire the 747s by the end of 2024, with the fleet   
   modernization expected to be completed by then.   
       
   Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine have made it challenging   
   to maintain and operate these aircraft due to a lack of spare parts.   
       
   Despite the challenges, Rossiya returned some 747-400 to passenger service for   
   domestic routes, such as flights between Moscow and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and   
   Sochi.   
       
   It is cannibalising some of the grounded 747s for spare parts to keep others   
   flying.   
       
   At the moment there is only 1 -400 in service. They have no -800s.   
       
   Transaero originally had two 747-800 on order but at the time of the   
   bankruptcy in 2015 they were not delivered and went into desert storage.   
       
   These two aircraft were obtained by the US Air Force in 2019 (being 4 years   
   old at the time) for conversion into the next-generation Air Force One   
   (VC-25B). These modifications are complex and costly, involving structural   
   changes and extensive security upgrades, and are still ongoing.    
       
   The U.S. Air Force chose to modify these existing airframes for the VC-25B   
   program, aiming to create the new presidential aircraft rather than purchase   
   new-build jets.   
       
   These aircraft were moved to Boeing's San Antonio facility in 2019 for   
   conversion and have since faced significant delays and cost overruns due to   
   the complex modifications required.   
      
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