United Parcel Service, Fed Ex, and AirBorne have been participating in a test of
a new "free flight" aircraft navigation system.
N904UP,
a UPS 727 on the West Ramp was
part of a large exhibit. I wasn't particularly interested in the nav system (cool
as it is), but I am a real fan of the Boeing 727; especially the wing and the high-lift
devices on the leading and traling edges. The last time I was able to get close to
a 727 was N7001U (hull #1) at the Museum of
Flight's resortation center at Paine Field in Everett, WA. That plane was stored with the
flaps down, but the leading-edge Krueger flaps were not extended. Luckly, the UPS 727
had it's Krueger flaps extended, and I took the opportunity to photograph them carefully.
This plane is somewhat unusual as UPS has re-engined many of their 727 with Rolls-Royce
Tay turbofans; I took a number of photos of the tail and engines.
An interesting side-note; there is a small stencilled "Experimental" on the starboard side
of the fuselage just ahead of the engines. The
landings.com N-number database lists
N904UP
as having a "standard" type certification, so I don't know what that means. If you know, please
drop me a note.
According to Peter Bowers' book, N904UP started out life as Northwest N493US.
| Fuselage and Nose: |
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| Krueger Flaps: | |||
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| Tail and Engines: | |||
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| Cockpit: | |||
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