[Prophet in the wilderness]

Yup, there was a 747 - SP that survived a out of control spiral dive out over the ocean coming into SFO back in 1985, and there was major damage, but, the plane still managed to land safely.
The 747-SP is built more robust that the average 747, and has some special performance features on it ( hence - SP ).
Does those 747-SP's have double flaps than the tripple flaps like the average 747 ?
The new 747-8I will have single flaps on the outboard part of the wing, and double flaps on the inboard, and the flaps ) maybe ) be made out of composites.
The ailerons will be made out of composites, and Boeing is thinking of having ( Fly by Wire ) for the ailerons.

[SW6906]

Do you know the answers to 77 & 78? I don't know that much about the -SPs.

[namsman]

I have a few answers:

The SP wasn't built "more robust" than a normal 747. They are all built like tanks. The major problem with the 747 in that era was lack of non-stop transpacific range. The solution to the problem was to reduce weight and drag. Hence the shortened fuselage. The lighter landing weight allowed the use of double-slotted rather than triple-slotted flaps. That was a weight saving as well.

A total of 45 SPs were built and about 30 remain in service.

Can't comment on the 747-8 configuration at this point.