EVERETT, Wash. — Boeing Co. says the first of the delay-plagued new version of its 747 freighter jet has emerged from the factory to be set up for test flights.

The aerospace company based in Chicago said the plane was towed from its Everett factory Thursday.

Boeing last month said it would record a $1 billion charge because of a delays in producing the 747-8 Freighter, blaming slow sales and late design changes.

It has said it expects the first flight of the plane by early next year and first delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2010. It has secured 105 orders for the 747-8.