For those who love the 747 (& maybe those who don't)

[docjames]

The engines look so small relative to the size of the aircraft on the early 747s.

The current high bypass / large fans on new/current a/c now look almost the other way (oversized relative to the a/c).

That's progress I guess.

 

[UP4014]

The engines look so small relative to the size of the aircraft on the early 747s.

The current high bypass / large fans on new/current a/c now look almost the other way (oversized relative to the a/c).

That's progress I guess.

That was the issue in the early days, large enough engines at the time of the first 747 was at the edge of engineering technology at the time and there were failures.

 

[harvyk]

Another sad day.

I'm really not looking forwards to the day when I take my last 747 flight. It will certainly be bitter sweet.

 

[docjames]

That was the issue in the early days, large enough engines at the time of the first 747 was at the edge of engineering technology at the time and there were failures.

yes of course I realise this, it was just seeing the old photos (and the recent tv doco on the 747) makes you look again at the small engines...

 

[Clivem]

While looking for a 1972 TWA image I stubbled across this gem ...... the TWA time table for April 30 1972 ...... your choice a 707 or the odd 747 on the major routes ..... How things have changed.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I flew on a 707 when I was five. I remember the holiday but not really the flights!

Will definitely miss the 747 though, if and when it goes forever. I recently managed one of the last QF5/6 flights on one and snagged the top deck for the J class return.

 

[harvyk]

I flew on a 707 when I was five. I remember the holiday but not really the flights!

Will definitely miss the 747 though, if and when it goes forever. I recently managed one of the last QF5/6 flights on one and snagged the top deck for the J class return.

Given the 707 has only recently ended commercial flights (April 9, 2013), I'd say it's safe to say there will be someone flying the B747 for quite some time, so even if you need to fly to the other side of the world to get your B747 fix, it will no doubt be possible to do so for at least the next 20 to 30 years.

It's just a shame that the 747's run of being the queen of the sky has ended. and no, the A380 is NOT a substitute, for all it's technical marvel and pax comforts it is completely missing the sole and iconography that the B747 has.

 

[Mr_Orange]

and no, the A380 is NOT a substitute, for all it's technical marvel and pax comforts it is completely missing the sole and iconography that the B747 has.

Couldn't agree more. It's just an ugly, lard-cough bus!!

 

[Clivem]

Couldn't agree more. It's just an Ugly, Lard-Arse Bus!!

Have you just unwittingly created a new AFF acronym ???

ULAB = A380 ?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Have you just unwittingly created an new AFF acronym ???

ULAB = A380 ?

I'd like to think so .

 

[kamchatsky]

Whilst B747 is nice, I love the A380. Yes the look of the Whale is not the best but heck inside it is very spacious. You can put lot of suites and still have plenty of room. Now one day when A380 gets retired, I will certainly miss him.

 

[JohnK]

I still remember my first 747 flight - T.W.A. March 30, 1972 L.A. to London
View attachment 34982

That is gorgeous!

 

[FlyboyAl]

Here are some photos of the first 747 - or so it says.
barneyb

 

[JessicaTam]

Here are some photos of the first 747 - or so it says.
barneyb

I hope they find where those spare screws go before they power it up.

 

[harvyk]

Here are some photos of the first 747 - or so it says.
barneyb

I'm glad to see they are doing a restoration of the "City of Everett". IMHO It is such an important part of aviation history, since it was the first of the type which brought long haul aviation to the masses, and it was a little sad to see it sitting there so neglected.

I hope they find where those spare screws go before they power it up.

Something tells me that they will never be powering up that plane again (at least not for the purposes of it leaving the ground).

 

[UP4014]

Here are some photos of the first 747 - or so it says.
barneyb

Thanks for finding that, I remember back in the 80's I went out with a girl who's father was a QF flight engineer on the SP's across the Pacific, it was a privilege just to hear the stories of the 60's 70's and 80's and being on the flight deck.

Matt

 

[Clivem]

This morning was the last 747 QF8 flight out of BNE to SYD sector ... I'm guessing that would of been the last 747 flight with a scheduled domestic sector available for purchase ....... gone ?

 

[harvyk]

This morning was the last 747 QF8 flight out of BNE to SYD sector ... I'm guessing that would of been the last 747 flight with a scheduled domestic sector available for purchase ....... gone ?

You would be correct... That is not to say that you won't see a 747 dom flight pop up every so often (just like there has once been an A380 dom flight), but nothing scheduled... Of course, it also depends on your definition of domestic. Technically you can fly a QF 747 in the US as a domestic flight available for purchase.