Originally posted by r0ckstarr So that trip from the manufacturer to the nearest airport is the first test flight?
No, by the time the planes are ready for delivery they have been through functional checks of every system, including the first shakedown flight(s). Usually they have flown at least once before the final painting is done. For the all aluminum models they may appear odd to those who are unfamiliar with the manufacturing process. Until they are painted any exterior aluminum surfaces are coated with a green protective "finish". This is removed just prior to the prep for paint in the paint hangar.
The 787 Dreamliner is assembled from components manufactured in many different parts of the world which are then shipped to one of two final assembly points, Charleston, South Carolina, and Everett, Washington. The majority of those components are delivered with whatever base finish that is specified by the customer. Those components that are not yet finished are coated with a UV protective coating, to prevent damage to the carbon fiber structure until the final finish is applied.
I know that some planes are flown elsewhere for the final paint, and then returned to the delivery center to get a final once over before getting handed over to the customer.
I guess when a customer is spending close to $300,000,000 for an airplane they get whatever they want, eh?