by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 11, 2018 | 747-8i, D-ABYA, Featured, Herpa, Livery, Lufthansa |
One of the many surprises that awaited me in Frankfurt included a gift from Lufthansa of a Limited Edition desktop model of D-ABYA. The 747-8i that was the first aircraft to carry the new livery design. There’s also an A321 carrying the colors as well, but the 747-8i is the one that stands out for me.
The kit is not yet available but when it does hit the shelves it’s bound to become a fan favorite. The model that I was given is a 1:400 scale and as I mentioned earlier, will be produced in limited numbers. The model came packaged in a heavy duty box with thick foam protecting the aircraft. In addition, a sturdy metal stand is provided to set the airplane on if you want it raised off the ground.
Here are a few shots as I was unpacking her….
The model came with a card indicating that this was number 201 of the Limited Edition
Safely packaged in heavy foam. When unpacking, please watch for a tiny screw that is beneath one of the stand pieces. The screw is used to assemble the stand.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 8, 2018 | 100th Anniversary, 747-8i, Featured, Frankfurt, Lufthansa |
Earlier today Lufthansa’s D-ABYA, a 747-8i, took to the skies for a tour of Germany as she showed off the airline’s new livery design. After her 9 hour showcase, which included stops or touch and goes at a variety of German airports, she returned to Frankfurt at approximately 5p local time. Once again, Frankfurt Airport provided an ‘all access’ experience so that I could capture her return.
Unfortunately, the best light of the day was gone, and what was a beautiful day at the beginning, became a hazy and overcast one by sunset. It was one of the very few things that we actually did not have control of today.
After touchdown, the unexpected bonus came in the form of being able to follow D-ABYA as she taxied off the runway and to her parking spot on the ramp before shutting down for the evening. It amounted to a fairly high speed chase as we tried to keep up, though she did stop a few times to pose for the perfect photo. Never before, and perhaps never again, will I be in the kind of position that I was today when it comes to photographing aircraft, so I took full advantage.
Tomorrow, I step aboard D-ABYA for her flight to New York’s JFK along with a Lufthansa crew that will be hosting a ‘Flying Lab’ during the flight that will highlight the new look of the livery as well as go into detail on enhancements that are taking place inside Lufthansa aircraft this year. You can tune in to the event and watch it live on Lufthansa’s Facebook book page. The flight is LH400 departing at 10:50a from Frankfurt.
Here’s how the day came to an end….
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 8, 2018 | 100th Anniversary, 747-8i, ExploreTheNew, Featured, Frankfurt, Livery, Plane Spotting |
Today marked a new benchmark for my planespotting. Thanks to Lufthansa and Frankfurt Airport, I was granted what for me was unprecedented access to the airport. No place was off limits to me as long as I didn’t step in front of a moving aircraft. Simply Wow. You have to be somewhat of an ‘Avgeek’ to understand what this all means! 🙂
The day started before sunrise at the ramp where D-ABYA was being prepared for her tour of Germany, designed to show off Lufthansa’s new livery. One thing that struck me today looking at her at the gate, parked next to other LH aircraft wearing the previous livery, was that the livery looks REALLY, REALLY good. The contrast between the newer, sleeker look and the previous version is far greater than I thought it would be. The new look simply gives the airplane a very polished and sophisticated look. For those that think they don’t like the livery, I think their minds will change over time.
So without any other words, here are some of my favorite shots from this morning’s session. Several hundred photos were taken and these are the ones that stand out right now. I’ll be back on the tarmac to watch her land later today and I get to fly her home tomorrow….not a bad 48 hours!
Enjoy!
