Perhaps they learned something from the CH-47F program. It is cheaper to built a new airframe and using todays production technology, then upgrading an airfram built in the 70ies.

My suggestion would be a Nikon D70s (the body is better and apart from the missing 2MPs the camera performs better then the 350XT) and the following equipment.

Sigma 18-125mm DC Asp IF or the Tamaron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro. or Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm/3.5-4.5G IF-ED or Nikon AF-S VR 24-120mm/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

and Sigma 100-300 4.0 HSM in addition a Kenko 1.4 converter.

A bit more expensive but a more flexible and better set-up imho. I´m not sure how a 350XT will react to the heavy 50-500mm.

The lense advice would be the same for a 350XT anyway.

Agreed.

If A offered 4 A340s for the price of 2 and B offered 4 777s at the price of 3. Which deal will the beancounter choose?

Thats Correct, the 4 A340s.

No, especially not in that case. The 777 has kower operating costs and is much more reliable. As a bonus passengers prefer the much smoother ride on the 777.

EK had to go Airbus, because they needed planes quickly to expand their service. Now they are in a phase of consolidation and they can get rid of their worst planes.

I think 777s and 747ADV

Sorry to say this folks but….I told you so 😉

Seriously though… Airbus promised a lot of things with this whale including a very tight delivery schedule. I hope they can deliver or they might find a few orders being set back indefinately or even cancelled.

Big doo doo time if that happens.

The future will be most entertaining 😉

fantastic shots

nice Herc