The Wandering Disciple

  Going nose to nose with the massive Queen of the Skies.  Depending on the variant, the iconic Boeing 747 has a tail height of 63-65 feet, making it taller than an average six story building.  Its amazing that something that size can fly through the skies, but the four massive engines gives it the lift to soar through the skies.  This Boeing 747 is a freighter used by Western Global Airlines, a cargo operation in Southwest Florida.  (Photo: October 9, 2020)

The queen of the skies, the iconic Boeing 747 is about to arrive at Southwest Florida International under a bright Florida sunshine. The industries first jumbo jet, the 747 took its first flight in 1969.  Since then the 747 has been a workhorse of the sky serving both the commercial and cargo industries as well as being the air frame for Air Force One, the official aircraft of the United States President.  This 747 is on a cargo mission flying for Western Global Airlines.  (Photo: September 23, 2020)

A Western Global cargo plane departs Southwest Florida International Airport into a line of morning rain and storms on Tuesday morning. Based at RSW, Western Global operates a fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and Boeing 747 freight planes used to service contracts worldwide. In addition to the hub in Fort Myers, WGA also operates a maintenance facility in Shreveport. On this departure, N546JN was headed to Anchorage, Alaska before flying across the Pacific to China. (Photo: May 19, 2020)

An aviation icon, the Boeing 747 was the industry's first jumbo jet. The massive aircraft developed by Boeing in 1969 would lead a storied career, earning it the nickname the Queen of the Skies. With a tail height ranging from 63 to 65 feet depending on the variation, the 747 is the height of a six story building. It was designed to transport passengers across the globe and became a work-horse in long-haul international flights. As the industry continues to evolve, the 747 is seeing its life extended through cargo conversions like this Western Global Airlines 747 on the ramp at Southwest Florida International Airport. While the 747 will remain an icon of aviation, probably the most iconic 747 is the highly modified VC-25 version also known as Air Force One. (Photo: January 28, 2020)