Boeing 707

Boeing 707
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Name	Boeing 707
Type	Narrow-body jet airliner
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing Commercial Airplanes
First flight	December 20, 1957
Introduction	October 1958 with Pan American World Airways
Status	In limited service
Primary users	Trans World Airlines Pan American World Airways American Airlines Braniff International Airways
Number built	865
Unit cost	$4.3 million (1955)
Developed from	Boeing 367-80
Variants	Boeing 720
Developed into	Boeing 727 Boeing 737 Boeing 757

Boeing 707 is a mid-sized, long-range, narrow-body, four-engine jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Its introduction in 1958 revolutionized commercial aviation, ushering in the Jet Age and making intercontinental travel faster and more accessible. The aircraft's design, derived from the earlier Boeing 367-80 prototype, set the standard for subsequent jetliners and cemented Boeing's dominance in the global airliner market for decades.

Development and design

The genesis of the aircraft stemmed from Boeing's desire to compete in the emerging jet transport market, influenced by designs like the British de Havilland Comet. The company funded the development of the prototype Boeing 367-80, nicknamed "Dash 80," as a private venture, a significant financial risk. The design featured a swept-wing configuration, a concept advanced by German aeronautical engineers during World War II, and was initially powered by Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojet engines. A key challenge was addressing the issue of pitch-up at high angles of attack, which was solved by adding a distinctive wing fence and later, a leading-edge extension known as the "Krüger flap." The Federal Aviation Administration also influenced the design, mandating changes to the tailplane after the crash of a similar Douglas DC-8 during testing.

Operational history

Pan American World Airways launched the jet age for American carriers by placing the first order and inaugurating service on the New York City to Paris route in October 1958. Its major rival, Trans World Airlines, quickly followed, using it on prestigious routes like the Los Angeles to New York City service. The aircraft became the backbone of long-haul fleets for major carriers including American Airlines, Braniff International Airways, and Air France, drastically reducing travel times across the Atlantic Ocean and the United States. It also saw extensive use as a VIP transport; the United States Air Force operated a specialized version, the VC-137, as Air Force One for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Many were later converted into freighters for cargo airlines like FedEx Express.

Variants

The initial production model was the 707-120, designed for continental routes, followed by the extended-range 707-220. The definitive long-range intercontinental model was the 707-320, which featured a longer fuselage and greater wingspan. The 707-320B introduced more efficient Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engines and redesigned wing flaps, while the 707-320C was a convertible passenger-freight variant. A shorter-range, lighter derivative was marketed separately as the Boeing 720, optimized for operations from shorter runways. Military variants were prolific, including the E-3 Sentry AWACS for NATO, the E-6 Mercury communications platform, and the KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling tanker, which shared its basic design.

Specifications (707-320B)

The 707-320B typically accommodated 140 to 189 passengers in a two-class layout. It was powered by four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-7 turbofan engines, each producing 19,000 pounds of thrust. Its wingspan was 145 feet 9 inches, with a sweepback of 35 degrees. Maximum takeoff weight was 333,600 pounds, and it had a fuel capacity of 23,855 gallons. Its cruise speed was 593 mph, with a range of 6,160 miles when fully loaded. The flight deck required a crew of three: a pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer.

Accidents and incidents

The operational history includes several notable accidents that influenced aviation safety. In 1963, Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 broke apart in a thunderstorm over the Everglades, leading to improved understanding of severe storm penetration. The 1974 crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 981 near Paris, caused by a cargo door failure, resulted in mandatory changes to door-latching mechanisms industry-wide. A terrorist bombing destroyed Air India Flight 182 over the Atlantic Ocean in 1985. Other significant losses included the 1988 destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie and the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 off the coast of Long Island.

Legacy and cultural impact

The aircraft is widely regarded as the catalyst that made jet travel mainstream, shrinking the world and defining modern air travel aesthetics in the mid-20th century. Its iconic shape, with sleek swept wings and four engine pods, became a symbol of the Jet Age and featured prominently in popular culture, from films like *Boeing Boeing* to album covers such as The Beatles' *Revolver*. It established the basic configuration for its successful successors, including the Boeing 727, Boeing 737, and Boeing 747. The aircraft's success decisively ended the reign of propeller-driven airliners like those from Douglas Aircraft Company and secured Boeing's position as the leading manufacturer of commercial jet aircraft.

Category:Boeing aircraft Category:Jet airliners Category:Four-engined jet aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1957