MSGID: 2:292/854 160e3e04   
   REPLY: 1:135/250@fidonet 68f458f0   
   TZUTC: 0200   
   RR> The B747 was actually designed from the ground up to be converted into a   
   RR> freighter.   
       
   The B747-concept actually was for a freighter for the US military and then   
   adapted for civilian use when Lockheed won the contract, becoming a game   
   changer, before primarily becoming a freighter ... again ... a role which   
   suits it very well.   
       
   RR> While airbus did initially offer a Freighter version, they ran into a   
   RR> problem of underengineering the floor of the second story, so it could   
   RR> not be used to carry freight.   
       
   That is correct and is the issue with "any" adaptation from passenger to   
   freighter.   
       
   The real issue with the A380 is that, even with a strenghtened floor, there is   
   not enough vertical space to accomodate two standard-sized pallets/containers   
   side-by-side in the top cabin.   
       
   But ... interesting 'but' ... The A380 could be converted to handle cargo on   
   its main deck and passengers on the upper ... a mixed-freighter. The problem   
   however is that the FAA does not allow any new mixed-freighter operations   
   anymore like for example KLM operated on its EHAM-KLAX route successfully. Too   
   much opposition from US freighter companies, especially Atlas. KLM was   
   interested in a mixed-version of the 777 and that never came to be for that   
   reason.   
      
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