[Zetman]

I'm not an aerospace engineer, but from what I've read, the hump is optimally placed in front of the wings. If it were moved back farther, it would increase drag. Boeing has some artists renderings of using the existing space behind the hump for crew rests, passenger bunk suites, conference centers and food cart storage areas.

I was out looking at the Boeing web site a few months back, and I saw where they had modified a 747 to carry the 787 wings from the factory in Japan to the final assembly plant in the United States. To my eye, that 747 appeared to have had it's second level "hump" extended all the way back to the tail. Admittedly, the inside of the aircraft is completely hollow, to accomodate the cargo. However, from an "exterior" standpoint, it looks like they have already done it. You may be right, though. If they took all that empty space, and made it into 2 levels of passenger seating, maybe that would throw off the balance of the aircraft. Who knows?? I am not an engineer either!!

Incidently, the 744 already has two crew rest areas - one in the cockpit area, directly behind the two pilot's chairs (a seperate little room with 2 bunk beds), and another rest area in the base of the tail (with recliners and bunks to sleep 4 or 5 - I can't remember the exact number). I am not sure if other models of the 747 also have these, I only had access to 744's.

[Paleo Conservative]

. To my eye, that 747 appeared to have had it's second level "hump" extended all the way back to the tail.

The whole upper fuselage is being rebuilt on those planes. Here's a link from an article I posted last February.

Boeing's 747 Large Cargo Freighter Development on Plan

[RunningWolf]

Cant say for sure, but I would guess that modified 747 with the extended hump is flying those wings in that cargo compartment unpressurized, or at least not to the psi the flight deck is at. What say you?

Wolf

[Prophet in the wilderness]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1346512/posts.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/photorelease/q3/pr_040803g.html>





http://www.boeing.com/commercial/777family/longer_range/lr_back3.html#overhead>