The first test aircraft in the boeing 747-8 series has taken off on it's first flight. The aircraft, a freighter will now undertake a 3,600 hour flight test program. The passenger variant, the Intercontinental, is due to be rolled out off the final assembly line in the fourth quarter of this year around the time that the freighter will be delivered to launch customer Cargolux.
more (http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/first-boeing-747-8f-takes-flight/)
and a video:
OFFICIAL Boeing 747-8F Freighter first flight takeoff video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAhpV40Ro1k#ws)
what a beast!
yeah, pity no Aussie airline have them on order, although an interview with Brett Godfrey (Virgin Blue CEO) suggests that Virgin Blue are looking at ordering them for the re-branded airline (combining V Australia, Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue under one name).