Boeing has unveiled the first 747-8I. The long awaited jetliner is painted in a new Orange livery unlike the freighter version which is in the blue 787 colours. The first flight is scheduled to be some time late next month, a story and some pictures can be found here:
http://nycaviation.com/2011/02/photo-gallery-boeing-747-8-intercontinental-unveiled-in-washington/ (http://nycaviation.com/2011/02/photo-gallery-boeing-747-8-intercontinental-unveiled-in-washington/)
Found this picture of it, this one is far better than any of the others in the above link:
(https://www.actbus.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5214%2F5443057299_b33cfa8539_b.jpg&hash=d718ca7187f5c1739e0ade16c3fa4e0068515690)
Source: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newsstand/1183640-b747-8-intercontinental-pics.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newsstand/1183640-b747-8-intercontinental-pics.html)
Very smart livery.
She is a beautiful machine. Good to see the 747-8i project getting off the ground, after a slow takeup it will be good to see airlines flying them around. Hopefully Qantas will look at getting some, as a middle between the 787/A330 and the A380 but I doubt it very much.
Word is that Virgin Australia announce an order for these in the near future to complement their 777-300ERs on Long Haul flights...here's hoping!