Departing KLM Boeing 747-400 Combi.
Registration: PH-BFC.
Aircraft name: City of Calgary.
The phase-out of the Boeing 747-400 Jumbo jet at KLM was complete by the end of 2020. What many people don't know is that only 5 aircraft in the KLM 747 fleet were full passenger aircraft. The remaining 17 examples of the 747 were so-called combi's. These aircraft were partly equipped for passengers and the other part for cargo.
For KLM, the 747 Combi proved to be an excellent workhorse. The type was suitable for carrying cargo of exceptional dimensions. Besides aircraft engines, generators, helicopters and special cars, the aircraft also transported all kinds of animals with the greatest of ease. KLM enjoyed great fame for transporting horses and ponies. Up to seven stalls could be carried on board, good for twenty horses. As all Combi flights were without stopovers, this was perfect for the animals, as take-off and landing are the most stressful moments of a plane journey.
The aircraft in the picture takes off from Schiphol Airport's Polderbaan runway.
The photo was taken on 22 March 2015.
I am Jaap van den Berg and photography has become a great passion of mine since 2010. Since then I travel all over the world to take pictures of military aircrafts. But besides aircraft I also love to photograph other subjects like landscapes, architecture, flowers, animals, .. Read more…