Aircraft model numbering

[knasty]

It wasn't that long ago that models would start at -100 (or maybe -200/-300 for A330/A340/777 etc) and continue up as newer versions were released.

However the A380 started @ -800. The 787 started with -8. I believe the A350 is starting at -800.

What's the aversion to starting with -1 or -100 like the old days?

 

[markis10]

I blame it on Microsoft, no one wants the first try now.

 

[Himeno]

Unused design variations that only exist on paper?

The 777 went -200, -300, -8, -9.
The 757 and 767 never had a -100.
The A330 didn't have a -100 and skipped -400, -600 and -700 (and an abandoned -500 design) before now working on -800 and -900

You could ask the same question about why no F-24 through F-34

 

[mannej]

I'll see if I can find it, but I do remember reading something about the number 8 appealing to particular markets.

Leave it with me

 

[clazman]

Is 8 a asian lucky number

 

[samh004]

Is 8 a asian lucky number

I would have gone with the 8 being 'wealth' in China and 4 being 'death' but that wouldn't account for the missing 1's unless no one really wants to be on the first version of anything. So then you have the question of what's wrong with the 5- through 7's.