Posted on Dec 8, 2022
The very last 747 jet has been made, ending a run of more than 50 years
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https://www.npr.org/2022/12/08/ [login to see] /boeing-747-last-jet
The jet transformed an industry, bringing luxurious amenities and lengthy nonstop flights to the masses — all in a design that was both enormous and elegant. But the reign of the mighty 747 has ended, and Boeing says the last plane left its assembly line this week, after 54 years of production.
"For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world," Kim Smith, Boeing's vice president and general manager of the 747 and 767 programs, said as the company announced the end of production.
The jet transformed an industry, bringing luxurious amenities and lengthy nonstop flights to the masses — all in a design that was both enormous and elegant. But the reign of the mighty 747 has ended, and Boeing says the last plane left its assembly line this week, after 54 years of production.
"For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world," Kim Smith, Boeing's vice president and general manager of the 747 and 767 programs, said as the company announced the end of production.
The very last 747 jet has been made, ending a run of more than 50 years
Posted from npr.org
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Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The 747 was the first "jumbo jet"
And we mean jumbo: the 747's tail towers as tall as a six-story building. When it was introduced, the plane's 225-foot length dwarfed existing airliners.
"Pressurized, it carried a ton of air," Boeing says.
The jet had four engines and was the first to have two aisles running down a spacious passenger cabin.
Employees watch a Boeing 747 during an event at the company's facility in Everett, Wash., on Tuesday.
It was so enormous that to construct it, Boeing had to build a new 200 million-cubic-foot assembly plant in Everett.
And Sutter was intent on the aircraft being extraordinarily safe, giving the 747 four sets of vital equipment like hydraulic systems and landing gear.
"You know things are going to happen, and sometimes it's going to be severe," Sutter told Smithsonian. "You still should be able to come home."
No more 747s are being made, but Boeing notes that they're still taking flight. The 1970s version even inspired one man to build a ground-based replica.
"We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," Boeing's Smith said."
..."The 747 was the first "jumbo jet"
And we mean jumbo: the 747's tail towers as tall as a six-story building. When it was introduced, the plane's 225-foot length dwarfed existing airliners.
"Pressurized, it carried a ton of air," Boeing says.
The jet had four engines and was the first to have two aisles running down a spacious passenger cabin.
Employees watch a Boeing 747 during an event at the company's facility in Everett, Wash., on Tuesday.
It was so enormous that to construct it, Boeing had to build a new 200 million-cubic-foot assembly plant in Everett.
And Sutter was intent on the aircraft being extraordinarily safe, giving the 747 four sets of vital equipment like hydraulic systems and landing gear.
"You know things are going to happen, and sometimes it's going to be severe," Sutter told Smithsonian. "You still should be able to come home."
No more 747s are being made, but Boeing notes that they're still taking flight. The 1970s version even inspired one man to build a ground-based replica.
"We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come," Boeing's Smith said."
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