Hey,I am based out in Bahrain at the moment (OBBI) I just dropped my sister to the airport and noticed a BA World Cargo 747 sitting at the ramp.What caught my eye was it had no winglets, I was driving along a highway so couldn't get a good look. So it got me thinking, BA use Global Supply Systems to Haul most of there freight, and when I last checked they had 3 747-400 aircraft. So where did this BA World Cargo Jet come from and are there 747-800 freighters flying now?I just couldnt get a good look at the wing long enough to see if it was a 747-800, anyway I doubt they would be using a classic since they have a few -400 aircraft gathering dust in the USCheers

The -300s and before didn't have winglets either (unless STC'd, if that's even a possibility, which I'd guess is, like the 767WLs), so it may have been an older aircraft of theirs, or a lease.I just checked GSS's fleet list on planespotters.net and they do appear to have 747-8s:http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Global-Supply-Systems3 listed as active, so it looks like you just ran into a 747-8. Nice!

Rob,The following 400F aircraft have been returned to Atlas on introduction of the first 2 748Fs into GSS service ( G-GSSD & G-GSSE). The 748Fs have a BA style livery, on the nose is the GSS Logo with 'Operated for BAW by Global Supply Systems' or words to that effect.G-GSSB flew her last flight as BAW3457 DEL-HKG on 19DEC11, from there she returned to the US, I believe re-registered as N495MC.G-GSSA flew her last flight as BAW3451 FRA-HKG on 26DEC11 from there she returned to the US, I believe re-registered as N491MC.As the 748s arrived into service G-GSSC commenced a wet lease to Emirates & operated for the majority of Nov/Dec 11 out of DXB, mainly serving Emirates Skycargo routes to Eldoret, Nairobi, Lillongwe, Accra, Lagos & Dakar, often returning to DXB via AMS or FRA. At the end of Dec 11 I believe the intent was that she would then return to Atlas to increase frequency on the South American network operating out of MIA. As this deal was brokered she was parked at Manston in the UK. This deal eventually fell through & since then she has left Manston once again on wet lease to Emirates out of DXB.As of today she conducted an empty 21 minute sector from DXB to the new Al Maktoum airport (OMDW/DWC), where she is currently parked...not sure of the reason but I'll do my best to keep an eye on her!Best

Edited January 26, 201214 yr by G-CIVA

Thanks for the info, wish I had stuck around now to watch it depart. Back in the UK it was way too much hassle to go up to Stansted and hang around in the cold, but out here you can park up right by the runway threshold, relax and watch the aircraft come and go.@ Steve, Wow thanks for that, I'm not really a plane spotter to be honest but would love to see a 747-800 up close. Do you know if GSS operate into Bahrain on a daily basis or what day/time is best? Cheers