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Being a jetliner neophyte, it wasn’t until two months later that I realized the significance of this photo taken on September 13, 2024. The jumbo on final is Atlas Air’s 747-8F N863GT (msn 67150), which was the 1,574th and final 747 produced. Named Joe Sutter after the “Father of the 747”, it took to the skies for the first time on December 18, 2022.
For the past 17 years this author has predominantly been embedded in the warbird community with occasional, albeit rare forays into sport or vintage aviation. During that period a majority of my photography was for the purpose of writing articles, so I had never been a into Spotter photography. So, when I signed up for the Centre for Aviation Photography (COAP) trip to Alaska in September 2024, I welcomed the opportunity to engage in a different style of photography with subjects that were completely new to me.
Though I welcomed this opportunity, I found myself a bit ambivalent on the first day as we headed out to one of the many prime viewing spots that overlooks Runway 15-33 at Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage, Alaska. I mean, how exciting can jetliners be when you’ve done air-to-air photography with Corsairs, Wildcats, TBMs, and Stearmans, among other warbirds? Well, that lack of excitement lasted until that first 747 appeared from behind the trees on short final for One Five. Wow! What a beautiful aircraft! Prior to this trip, I had only photographed a handful of 747s over the years, from a Flying Tigers aircraft at Dover AFB, Delaware and a variety of military variants at Andrews AFB, Maryland during my Air National Guard days.
Prior to the COAP trip, the author’s only contact with 747s were the Special Air Missions VC-25As at Andrews AFB, Maryland.
On that first day, we were treated to more than the 747s. Much more. Over the course of about three-and-a-half hours we were treated to Alaska Airlines 737s, both passenger and cargo variants 757s and MD-11s from FedEx, DC-6s and MD-80s from Everts Air Cargo, a DesertAir DC-3, and a half dozen other smaller aircraft. But no aircraft held my fascination more than that “Queen of the Jumbos”, the Boeing 747.
UPS 747-8F N615UP (msn 64261) turns off 7R, while Atlas Air 747-8F N860GT (msn 67147) taxis out for departure on Runway 33 on September 9, 2024.Cargolux Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCJ (MSN 38077) emerges out of the clouds on short final to ANC’s Runway 7R on September 9, 2024.
There are still quite a few airports where you can spot 747s, but arguably the best place is Anchorage, Alaska. Not only for the sheer number of aircraft but the amazing variety of carriers. In our three days of shooting, which totaled about 12 hours, at ANC I captured 747s from eleven different cargo outfits. What makes ANC the realm of the Queen? It’s all about geography.
UPS 747-8Fs N609UP (msn 64254), left, and N615UP (msn 64261), right, being serviced on September 9, 2024.
During the Cold War the Soviet Union’s airspace was closed to outside airlines which made it difficult for airlines to fly between Europe and Asia. When SAS pioneered polar air routes it shortened the distance and Anchorage quickly became a crucial stop for aircraft flying between Europe and Asia. In the wake of the Perestroika Reforms in Russia began to allow a limited number of airlines to over fly their territory, mostly Siberia, but they charged the airlines astonishing sums for the privilege. Current day, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the airspace has closed once again.
UPS 747-4R7F N583UP (msn 25867) touches down on Runway 15 on September 9, 2024.
While overflights of Russian airspace don’t necessarily affect carriers flying between Asia and the U.S., they do benefit from the development of ANC as a stopover over a half-century ago. While UPS and FedEx conduct time-critical non-stop flights between their respective hubs in Louisville and Memphis to Tokyo, most carriers carry the maximum amount of cargo and enough fuel to safely land at ANC, staying long enough to take on more fuel and change flight crews. For a more in-depth look at life at ANC, visit the Anchorage Cargo Hub on aerosavvy.com. The remainder of this article brings you the sights and sounds of the Queen of the Jumbos in Anchorage on September 9-11 & 13, 2024.
Korean Air Cargo 747-8HTF HL7609 (msn 37132) flares for touchdown on Runway 15 on September 9, 2024.Close up of the main landing gear of UPS 747-8F N620UP (msn 65787) as it touches down on Runway 15 on September 9, 2024.Backed by ANC’s control tower, UPS 747-8F N620UP (msn 65787) and Polar Air Cargo 747-8F N858GT (msn 37569) taxi onto their respective cargo ramps on September 9, 2024.SF Airlines 747-40BERF B-2426 (msn 35208) flares for touchdown on Runway 15 on September 9, 2024.Anchorage is a study in contrasts. Whether intentional or by accident 747s were captured together with cargo aircraft from yesteryear. Here Everts Air Cargo Douglas C-118A (s/n 44662), which was built in 1953, taxis past Polar Air Cargo 747-8F N858GT (msn 37569), which first took to the sky in 2011.Kalitta Air 747-4B5BCF N708CK (msn 25275) crosses the numbers of Runway 15 on September 9, 2024.While FedEx Boeing 777-F1H N865FD (msn 40671) holds short, Kalitta Air 747-4B5FSCD N701CK (msn 26416) crosses the numbers on September 9, 2024.Captured from the prime viewing spot on Northern Lights Boulevard, Air China Cargo 747-400F B-2476 (msn 34240) is seen on final to Runway 15 on September 10, 2024.Photographed just over 75 minutes after the above photo, B-2476 taxis into position for departure on Runway 25L, Kalitta Air 747-4H6BCF N740CK (msn 24405) is #2 for take-off.The visible windows on Kalitta Air’s N740CK is evidence that this aircraft once carried passengers. This jumbo was first delivered to Malaysia Airlines on October 6, 1989 and was sold back to Boeing and converted to a freighter for Kalitta Air in March 2008.An unidentified UPS 747 rotates on Runway 15 on September 10, 2024.One of the more attractive liveries on a 747 freighter is that of Cathay Pacific Cargo. Here 747-867F B-LJI (msn 39247) lifts off from Runway 15 on September 10, 2024.One of the few times we saw the sun during our ten days in Alaska. Cargolux 747-8R7F LX-VCE (msn 35810) sits on the crowded cargo ramp on September 10, 2024.
Twenty frames separate these photographs of SkyLeaseCargo 747-428ERF N903AR (msn 33096) as it departs Runway 15 and passes a rainbow over Lake Hood Seaplane Base on September 10, 2024.Cargolux 747-HAERF LX-KCL (msn 35236) taxis past Cathay Pacific Cargo’s 747-867F B-LJH (msn 39245) as it is being serviced in front of ANC’s passenger terminal on September 10, 2024.Captured from the southern end of Runway 15, Polar Air Cargo 747-87UF N855GT (msn 37567) tucks its gear away on September 10, 2024.A pair of Kalittas. Boeing 747-4B5FSCD N705CK (msn 26413) rolls out as 747-4B5BCF N709CK (msn 26396) is prepared for departure. Note the C-17 climbing out of nearby Elmendorf AFB.
Two more studies in contrast. Top: DesertAir’s DC-3T N560PT wheels on past N709CK, while above we see TransNorthern C-45F N404CK taxiing past UPS 747-8F N626UP (msn 65781) as it is being serviced on the UPS ramp on a rainy afternoon on September 11, 2024.Cargolux 747-8R7F LX-VCM (msn 61169) departs a rain soaked Runway 33 on September 11, 2024.VAPOR!!!! NipponCargo 747-8KZF JA16KZ (msn 37393) climbs into the cold, humid sky on September 11, 2024.On the afternoon of September 11, we were treated to the sight of not one, but two Boeing Dreamlifters. Here we see UPS 747-8F N626UP (msn 65781) departing Runway 33 while Dreamlifter N718BA (msn 27042), a 747-4H6, prepares to taxi.Dreamlifter N718BA departs Runway 33 on September 11, 2024. This 747-4H6(LCF) first flew on August 11, 1992 and originally flew with Malaysia Airlines as 9M-MPA until 2006. It first flew as a Dreamlifter in 2008.National Airlines 747-428BCF N919CA (msn 25302) departs Runway 33 on September 11, 2024.Two hours after the departure of N718BA the second Dreamlifter, 747-409LCF N249BA (msn 24309), climbed into the gray skies over ANC on September 11, 2024.The majesty of the 747 is most evident in this view of Asiana Cargo 747-48EBDSF HL7417 (msn 25779) on short final to Runway 15 on September 13, 2024.The mountains to the east of ANC were most visible on September 13, 2024. Here is China Airlines Cargo 747-409F B-18723 (msn 34266) in the flare.As the sun set late in the evening of September 13, it provided gorgeous lighting as we captured the arrivals from Northern Lights Boulevard. Here Cathay Pacific Cargo 747-867F B-LJD (msn 39241) crosses over the road on short final.If one walks to the edge of the dune off the end of 15, you can capture dramatic head-on shots, like this unidentified Cathay Pacific Cargo 747.
Stephen “Chappie” Chapis's passion for aviation began in 1975 at Easton-Newnam Airport. Growing up building models and reading aviation magazines, he attended Oshkosh '82 and took his first aerobatic ride in 1987. His photography career began in 1990, leading to nearly 140 articles for Warbird Digest and other aviation magazines. His book, "ALLIED JET KILLERS OF WORLD WAR 2," was published in 2017.
Stephen has been an EMT for 23 years and served 21 years in the DC Air National Guard. He credits his success to his wife, Germaine.
I live right next to the airport. I do my share of plane spotting. I have spotted as many as 12 747’s on the ground at one time., and also two Dreamlifters. Also a Antova 225.
I live right next to the airport. I do my share of plane spotting. I have spotted as many as 12 747’s on the ground at one time., and also two Dreamlifters. Also a Antova 225.