United Airlines was the launch customer for the first Boeing 727. This beauty was the first to come off the production line. Tail number N7001U flew a short hop to Boeing Field airport to be put on display at Seattle's Museum of Flight on Wednesday March 2, after a yearslong restoration project near Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington.
Final flight of the first Boeing 727 —
United Airlines was the launch customer for the first Boeing 727. This beauty was the first to come off the production line. Tail number N7001U flew a short hop to Boeing Field airport to be put on display at Seattle's Museum of Flight on Wednesday March 2, after a yearslong restoration project near Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington.
Elaine Thompson/AP
The 727 was so popular when it hit the market that it was the first commercial jetliner to receive more than 1,000 orders from airline companies. It's easy to recognize by its three engines and high-set "t-tail."
Three engines and a 't-tail' —
The 727 was so popular when it hit the market that it was the first commercial jetliner to receive more than 1,000 orders from airline companies. It's easy to recognize by its three engines and high-set "t-tail."
Elaine Thompson/AP
The last time this airliner flew passengers was 1991. Its interior has been restored to the very colorful seating style of that day. The Museum of Flight estimates this specific plane flew about 3 million passengers during its 28 year career.
Colorful seating —
The last time this airliner flew passengers was 1991. Its interior has been restored to the very colorful seating style of that day. The Museum of Flight estimates this specific plane flew about 3 million passengers during its 28 year career.
Elaine Thompson/AP
If you think overhead compartments are small now, take a look at what they were like inside the first Boeing 727. Museum of Flight senior curator Dan Hagedorn shows us. Do you think you could fit your luggage in there?<br />
Overhead compartments —
If you think overhead compartments are small now, take a look at what they were like inside the first Boeing 727. Museum of Flight senior curator Dan Hagedorn shows us. Do you think you could fit your luggage in there?
Elaine Thompson/AP
For a bit of authenticity, the museum placed cigarette stubs in an ashtray in the cabin's first class section. Since 2000, all flights between the United States and other nations have been smoke free, by law.
'Please extinguish all smoking materials' —
For a bit of authenticity, the museum placed cigarette stubs in an ashtray in the cabin's first class section. Since 2000, all flights between the United States and other nations have been smoke free, by law.
Elaine Thompson/AP
Former Boeing engineer Bob Bogash, who was in charge of restoring the aircraft, served as flight crew safety officer on Wednesday. FedEx donated a Boeing 727 as a source for parts and also worked with Aviation Technical Services and the Museum of Flight to restore the aircraft. In total, about $500,000 has been invested in the project, along with labor worth millions of dollars donated by dozens of volunteers, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fairwaysnews.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">AirwaysNews.com </a>reports.
The cockpit —
Former Boeing engineer Bob Bogash, who was in charge of restoring the aircraft, served as flight crew safety officer on Wednesday. FedEx donated a Boeing 727 as a source for parts and also worked with Aviation Technical Services and the Museum of Flight to restore the aircraft. In total, about $500,000 has been invested in the project, along with labor worth millions of dollars donated by dozens of volunteers, AirwaysNews.com reports.
Elaine Thompson/AP
Inside the 727's restored cockpit, this instrument panel shows traditional gauges that told pilots the plane's speed, direction, altitude and its relation to the horizon. From 1963 to 1991, this airliner logged 64,495 hours of flight time.
Flight instrument panel —
Inside the 727's restored cockpit, this instrument panel shows traditional gauges that told pilots the plane's speed, direction, altitude and its relation to the horizon. From 1963 to 1991, this airliner logged 64,495 hours of flight time.
Elaine Thompson/AP
This throttle controls the 727's three engines. Flying aboard a so-called "three-holer" nowadays is a rare experience. More efficient twin-engine airliners have become dominant in the industry.
The throttle —
This throttle controls the 727's three engines. Flying aboard a so-called "three-holer" nowadays is a rare experience. More efficient twin-engine airliners have become dominant in the industry.
Elaine Thompson/AP
Volunteer Jim Munneke closes a luggage compartment on the airliner that he helped restore. The 727 expanded air travel in the 1960s by allowing airlines to open shorter U.S. routes. Boeing manufactured 1,831 727s before the production line shut down in 1984. By 2003, all major U.S. airlines had retired the 727, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fairwaysnews.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">AirwaysNews.com</a> reports. But a few still serve as freighters and VIP transports.
727s opened domestic routes —
Volunteer Jim Munneke closes a luggage compartment on the airliner that he helped restore. The 727 expanded air travel in the 1960s by allowing airlines to open shorter U.S. routes. Boeing manufactured 1,831 727s before the production line shut down in 1984. By 2003, all major U.S. airlines had retired the 727, AirwaysNews.com reports. But a few still serve as freighters and VIP transports.
Elaine Thompson/AP