The 707 model series for The Boeing Company proved to be the catalyst for their commercial market successes to come. The 707 introduced a model design that was initially conceived of as a private venture, targeting both military and commercial applications. To that end, design of the aircraft would go on to spur the development of both the successful 707 commercial transport series and the military platform to which several aircraft (most notably, the KC-135) would find equal success. The 707 would also become the first successful long-range passenger transport, producing a long pedigree of Boeing designs utilizing the 7x7 designation.
The 707 began life as the private venture design 367-80, sometimes referred to as "Dash 80". Flying in 1954, the 367-80 nabbed a military contract for development of the KC-135 that same year - a model design specifically for the inflight refueling of military warplanes. From there, the commercial market began usage of the system, no designated as the 707 with Pan American Airlines being the first to secure orders. From there, the 707 would be used throughout the world as a passenger transport, airborne early warning platform, cargo hauler and inflight refueler.
Variants of the 707 platform included a plethora of types, most noted for the difference in their Pratt & Whitney engines (the later 707-420 utilized Rolls-Royce Conway brand engines). Major marks in the series included the 707-120/-120B, 707-220, 707-320/-320B and the 707-320C. The 720B appeared on the scene and was a variant of the 707 design but offered up turbofan engines at an increase in speed over the turbojet of previous model designs. Additionally, the 720 was designed with a shorter fuselage and a lighter structure for improved performance gains.
Angola; Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Columbia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; France; Gambia; Ghana; Iran; Israel; Italy; Liberia; Libya; Pakistan; Paraguay; Portugal; Romania; United Kingdom; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; Spain; Sudan; Togo; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United States; Venezuela
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Commercial Aviation
Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, ferrying both passengers and goods over range.
Length
149.6 ft (45.60 m)
Width/Span
145.7 ft (44.42 m)
Empty Wgt
145,999 lb (66,224 kg)
MTOW
333,592 lb (151,315 kg)
Wgt Diff
+187,594 lb (+85,091 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Boeing 707-320C production variant)
monoplane / low-mounted / swept-back
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Low-Mounted
Mainplanes are low-mounted along the sides of the fuselage.
Swept-Back
The planform features wing sweep back along the leading edges of the mainplane, promoting higher operating speeds.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Boeing 707-320C production variant)
Installed:
4 x Pratt & Whitney JT3D-7 turbofans developing 19,000 lb of standard thrust each.
367-80 - Prototype Model Designation; fitted with Pratt & Whitney JT3P turbojet engines at 9,500lbs thrust each; may be known as the "Dash 80".
707 - Boeing Civilian Model Commercial Application Designation for the 367-80; increased width fuselage for additional passenger seating.
707-120 - Commercial Application Variant Transcontinental Airliner; fitted with Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojet engines of 13,500lb thrust.
707-120B - Commercial Model fitted with JT3D powerplants.
707-220 - Commercial Model fitted with JT4D powerplants of 17,500lb thrust.
707-320 - Commercial Model for intercontinental airline travel; extended wing system and fuselage; JT4A turbojet engines.
707-320B - Commercial Model with refined systems and engines.
707-320C - Cargo Conversion Models
707-420 - Fitted with Rolls-Royce Conway turbofan engines of 17,600lbs each.
KC-135A - USAF Inflight Refueling Tanker Designation.
C-135 - Military Application Specialized Aircraft.
C-137 - Military Application Specialized Aircraft.
720 - Similar to the 707 model design; shortened fuselage; lighter internal structure; turbojet-powered.
720B - Turbofan-Powered Variant of the 720 base model.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Angola; Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Columbia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; France; Gambia; Ghana; Iran; Israel; Italy; Liberia; Libya; Pakistan; Paraguay; Portugal; Romania; United Kingdom; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; Spain; Sudan; Togo; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United States; Venezuela
