I am so proud to serve this wonderful airplane as an aircraft mechanic. B707 was my first airplane, and an A350 was my last official airplane before I left the industry for retirement.
We flew all around the world twice in the early 70s in 707s when I was very young with our family. Looking back my dad must have paid a fortune for those 2 trips and a family of 5
As a child and teen, I live in the city of Inglewood, California. All 3 schools, Gramer, Jr High, and High School were under the landing pattern of LAX. I remember the SCREECHING of those early jet engines slowing down for their landing at LAX. Morningside High, Class of 68. Thank you Mike for taking me back to my youth.
I witnessed the handover of the first 707 to Pan American at Boeing Field in Seattle in August of 1958, from the other side of a chain link fence. A moment in history witnessed by only a small crowd of onlookers. As the plane revved up and taxied away, I still remember the strong jet blast that hit us. This first glimpse of a sleek, beautiful jet airliner, never before seen by the public at large, was a revelation, and a sight I will never forget.
Next to the 747, probably the most identifiable jet airliner in history. It definitely was a flagship design that influenced many that followed right up to Airbus's A340. A great looking jet that still looks great today. Although, I'm a big fan of the Convair 880 and 990 mostly because of their cool design factor! Another great video, thanks Mike!
I have no logical reason why but the 707 is the most beautiful aircraft in the world. I grew up in the late 60s and early 70s. I've never been on one. But ever since I was a boy I thought the 707 was elegant, powerful, and amazing. Thanks for the lesson and history. You're a lucky guy and fwiw, the DC-3 is my second favourite plane, again, for no known reason.
Well done! The 707 is still the most beautiful commercial airliner ever built. I love this airplane and dreamed that some day I would fly one, but got to the airlines too late to do so. I did get to fly the 727, 737, 757, and 767, all Boeing engineered marvels. The lyrics in the iconic 1965 song Early Morning Rain by Peter, Paul, and Mary say “Out on Runway number 9, big 707 set to go...” And “...Hear the mighty engine roar, see the silver wing on high...”. Check it out.
I agree that the 707 is a thing of beauty, and I've ridden in them many times. However, my nominee for "the most beautiful airliner ever built" goes hands down to the Lockheed Super Constellation.
@@s51curtis I am also a fan of the Super Connie, and agree it is the most beautiful piston airliner ever built. I grew up off the end of Runway 24 about 4 miles from St. Louis's Lambert Field from 1956-1980. When I was 13 years old in 1963, I would walk to the bus stop at the top of my street and every morning at 7am, a TWA 1649 Starliner would fly over my head at about 1000 feet landing on 24. The 1649 was my all time favorite piston airliner and seeing it fly over was one of the things that made me want to become an airline pilot.
I love that song except it would bother me when the lyrics went "Hear the mighty engine roar. . . " Gordon Lightfoot's version of the song goes "Hear the mighty engines roar. . . " (plural) which satisfies that issue 😆 Not to be nitpicky but I'm sorry that's just how I am.
In NJ this is a constant battle. So many small airports closed because of noise complaints. I can think of 5 right off the top of my head and others not allowed to expand for fear they would bring in bigger and louder aircraft.
@@machia0705 Where I live are two massive propane storage tanks. These tanks hold 22 million gallons of propane and when they were built there was nothing around them.The company that owned the tanks begged the city to not allow residential development around the tanks. Well they built houses and when two morons said they were going to blow up the tanks everyone freaked out and wanted the company to move the tanks. First the company said there is no way you could blow up those tanks, you could hit them with a tank shell and they won't blow up. Draining and moving the tanks would be more dangerous. But then the people who bought the houses tried to sue because they were not informed of the danger, a judge dismissed the case.
True everywhere. Visit Australia & chances are you’ll arrive at the largest airport in the country which happens to be in the middle of the biggest city in the country. Kingsford Smith, Sydney.
I love your 1960's era photos of LAX. I grew up within bicycling distance of the airport. I would lock my bike to a fence and then proceed to wonder in and around the terminals, collecting flight schedules to plan grandiose trips across the country and around the world. It seems hard to believe today that a 10 year old boy- or anyone for that matter, could just stroll around an airport, including departure and arrival areas which are now off limits to anyone without a ticket. It was a different world back then. As an aside, the novelty of jets (and rattling windows) quickly wore off in the El Segundo area. For many years large white letters spelling out NOT SAFE FOR JETS ran along the base of "Spotters Hill." Keep these magnificent videos coming. You should have a million views!
Octogenarian here. Flew on my first jet in January 1960 from Chicago to Dallas. The trip, the food, and the service were all top notch. What a contrast to a 1957 piston engine flight from Houston to El Paso. The 1957 service was also excellent. This was during the age of regulation.
Fascinating, I was born in 1951 and recall being excited when I saw a jet vapor trail in the lar 50s. In those days "jet setters" was a term reserved for the well-heeled. Today I often fly my grads from PA to Florida for vacation.
In the late 1980s, I worked for Boeing commercial in the Flight Test department at Boeing Field in Seattle. A short time after I hired in, I saw a notice that Tex Johnston was doing a Q&A discussion at the (then new) Museum of Flight. I secured a ticket for a seat in that auditorium, and listened to Tex recount many stories of his time as a pilot, including the 1G roll, and other events in the Dash 80. The audience seemed to be mostly pilots, and they were as attentive as I was. In the years that followed, the Dash 80 was restored in detail in a hangar space inside the building as my office. I walked past it every day on arrival and again when leaving.The Dash 80 sat low enough on it's gear that I could reach up an place my hand on it, and feel the history.
VC-10 was a sexy airplane, used to see it at Chicago ORD in the 60's, I always thought it looked "regal" it's shape, the rear mounted engines, the beautiful, dark navy blue colors with golden stripes, just beautiful, best regards to you sir, from Chicago. BOAC!
I remember flying into Idlewild from England in 1958, and my dad (Air Force) pointing out the brand new Boeing 707 parked across from our prop aircraft. Some years later we flew back to England on a 707. Across from us was a Constellation. I was impressed with the “Connie” and thought it a beautiful airplane. The 707 passenger seating was huge compared to the sardine cans we now fly in. I eventually was in the Air Force and flew on the 707 often.
I can remember flying from LAX to JFK DC in1974. My late mother was slowly dying at NIH at age 51 due to an indeterminate cancer, and I remember being on board a Pan Am 707 taking me there.The take-off roll and climb was.mighty impressive, and the stewardesses made the trip friendly and memorable. Now bothe the 707 and Pan Am are sadly history. God bless.
Thanks for sharing this very touching story, and appreciate the comment. 'Had a similar experience on a Delta DC-8 flying home on emergency leave in the Air Force when my father passed away in 1968. Vivid memories of how the stewardesses went out of there way for this young Airman. Thanks for watching!
What a great documentary. Thank you. I flew the BOAC 707-436 and -336 for 13 years 1970-1983, worldwide. Beautiful aircraft. I still have a full set of BOAC 707 manuals. I also delivered the Ruler of Qatar's personal 707-3PIC, registration A7-AAA, on 24 Feb 1978 to Doha and was stationed there for two weeks in case he wanted to use it. He didn't!
Having grown up in Southern California, where all my schoolmates fathers worked in aerospace I really enjoy your content. New DC-8’s would approach LGB over my schoolyard on their test flights.
My first experience with the beautiful 707 was at LAX a when as a young child. I saw my dad off on a business trip and my mom needed to boost me up over the wall to wave to my dad as he left. With the jets and dozens of cool prop planes all over, I think this is what started my fascination and model building of airplanes.
Love these videos. The amount of information you present in 15-17 minutes is astounding! Often wondered about the "suffix" numbers on the 707 kits, thanks for clearing that up.
I lived the jet life in 1969 flying Varig 707s from Rio de Janeiro to Miami via Caracas ‘till 1972 Your video brings me fond memories, first class video
I enjoy your videos. My dad was a USAF pilot beginning in 1961 and for the next 27 years. He instilled a love of aviation. Building models, family trips in GA aircraft... A lot of your content I recall from airport travel in the 60-70s, living on USAF bases around the globe. I've had a PPL since 2002. Dad passed 7 years ago, He would love your videos. 'His aviation dreams began living in MPLS under the flight space of now MSP, watching Connies take off. He got his dream in the mid 60's catching a jump seat on a USAF Connie to get back from HA to Travis. He was in C-131s then. The PIC let him take the left seat for a couple hours.
Thanks alot for creating this. I had the opportunity to fly with her on several occasions transcontinental and it was always a wonderful experience - No IFE , no TV`s just great comfort, great service and smooth rides.
My first jet travel from Canada to London was in 1967 with my dad then was on a 707. I remember how everyone used be dressed up on that flight and dinner was served on ceramic plates with real cutlery.
It's interesting to note that the DC-8 largely outlasted the 707 in commercial service. Many larger DC-8-60s got re-engined and became DC-8-70s, extending the service lives of those airframes. Plus many 707s were bought up for their turbofan engines to support the re-engining of the USAF's KC-135 (717) fleet instead of remaining in commercial service. KC-135As became KC-135Es after re-engining with these former 707 engines.
It's because Boeing wanted to sell the new 757 and 767, not re-engine and stretch the 707. Unlike Boeing, Douglas didn't have anything in between the DC-8 and DC-10 as far as capacity.
I hace enjoyed this video, I love the Boeing 707. My first fly was in 1973 to and from Italy, Pan American B707. I feel very proud of this jet, very good travel. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for that profile of an aircraft type close to my heart. My first flight ever, in 1961, BOAC 707-436 G-APFD Manchester-Prestwick-Goose Bay-New York. Led to a lifelong passion for and career in aviation, a PPL for 50 years and 40 years of aircraft ownership, ongoing. Many subsequent flights, mainly transatlantic, in 707s strengthened my affection for the type.
We were used to piston powered DC3's in our town in Uganda, there was a small aerodrome nearby from where they flew. Then my first flight in 1972 when flying from Entebbe to Cairo and then Barcelona in a Boeing 707. The 707 really did look like a spaceship on the tarmac at Entebbe before we boarded!
Great video! Thanks. I was aware how special the 707 was but your video added so much color and depth to the story. My first airline trip was on a Western Airlines 720 from MSP to SFO in 1967. I was 13. Since then I booked over 1.5 million miles on NWA traveling all over the world in my business career. You have helped put that 720 into perspective.
I was lucky enough to fly in one of these in 1977, when I was 13. I was too young to fully appreciate it. Short flight from Chicago to EWR. A nearly empty aircraft. Weird and cool
This popped up on my feed today (2 years after it was created), and I’m so glad it did. What a fabulous presentation! Flew the 707 variants many times and have good memories of it as a work horse of now, sadly, long defunct airlines, particularly TWA-always my favorite carrier.
In June of 1967, right after I graduated from High School, my family flew on a one-week-old Pan Am 707 from SFO > LHR enroute to BFS for a family reunion, as my mother was a WWII War Bride. What I remember most was it glistening in the morning sun at SFO, the "new car smell" inside, the fact it flew a polar route to LHR and the set of wings a FA gave to my little sister - which she still has! Thank you for your excellent work on this video, and Cheers from GEG!
I was lucky enough to fly on one in 1964 or 65 (my first flight) from Las Vegas to San Fransisco. It was TWA it had the nick name as "The Fun Jet " I'll never forget that trip.
Thanks Mike, kudos for a very well done video with plenty of Interesting pics and for your comments throughout. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and brought me back to the days of being a young teenager and watching airport operations from the observation deck at Miami international. The days of stainless flatware stamped with the airline logo for your included hot meal. Of red carbon paper tickets. Memories…
Thanks for this excellent account of one of the most significant aircraft in history. Great photos and informed narration, both well done. As a 10-year-old boy, I was at Sydney airport in 1959 when the 1st Qantas 707-138 arrived. As a retired former QF employee, I was waiting for your words about how Qantas was the first non-US airline to fly the 707, and that one of the original QF fleet still flies in her original livery, owned and piloted by none other than John Travolta, but I guess that's a side note to your central, very well told story. But I thought I'd add it here anyway :) Great video, liked and I'm a new subscriber.
Thanks for your great video of the legendary Boeing 707....my first flight on one was in 1965 on Pan American airlines and I was in love with this amazing quantum leap of air transportation ♥️
April 13 1964 I boarded a BOAC 707 at Toronto airport as a 9 year old boy and I can remember everything about it.Back then you could see the planes from the old terminal built that same year ,torn down 15 or 20 years ago.I guess it’s more sophisticated to not be able to see cool things like jet planes.The 707 seemed to tower over the air Canada DC 8s (even though I think they’re a similar size).As I recall it was flight 606 on a 707 that had “Conway 505 roll Royce engines. Remember Hawaiian music playing on board which seems in retrospect unusual for a plane heading for Scotland.I even remember the squared dishes the food came in.Don’t ask me what I learned in school that year though because 64 was all 707 and Beatles of course.
I am a 37 year Boeing veteran, but I must say that the revolution was enabled by the engine, not the airframe. Yes, one without the other doesn't get you very far, but without the jet engine, the Comet, the -80 and DC-8 would not have happened. I loved your video and I appreciate your penchant for accuracy. As for the Tex Johnson story, what we always heard was he was fired on Friday and then rehired in that Bill Allen meeting the next morning. The truth is in there somewhere, not that it matters. The funny thing is, a barrel roll is a very benign maneuver for an airplane - 1g all the way around.
Have flown on those planes several times, across USA & to South America. And for that reason when I was given the chance to take a 757 to the Same destination in S. A. I felt very nostalgic! Though a different plane, the size is very close & brought back many memories of an overnight flight in a single isle aircraft!
Mid-70's I was flying often between London Gatwick and Lagos Ikeja on BCal 707's. BCal was splendid airline. At an aircrew party in the Lagos Airport Hotel I was charmingly informed by an old BCal captain 'that 707's don't have landings, they have controlled crashes'.
I travelled on the 707 (BOAC) between London and Australia a number of times. Yes, it was fast and that was why it revolutionized long-haul travel. But the NOISE !! 😱😫 OMG!! Not just outside on take-off and on the ground. But it was very loud inside - after 24hours flying, it became almost unbearable, and your ears would take a day to recover. I can recall the bliss of quiet when it was replaced by the 747 as usual BOAC equipment for that route.
One reason jet airliners were safer than propeller liners was because they had fewer gremlins. Gremlins couldn't hang onto the swept back wing of the jetliners, and they would slide off the wing, and be sucked back into the slipstream. The swept back wing had less drag, so gremlins couldn't get a good grip on the wing.
Excellent history and graphics past history. Enjoyed watching, listening, thinking the amazing engineering involved in flight. Brought back memories first jet passenger planes. Remembrances O’Hare Airport Chicago, Illinois late 1950’s early 1960’s. Thank you.
My first jet experience was the 707 from Washington/Baltimore to San Juan, Christmas, 1962. I attended my dad's mom's funeral in Riverside in 1967, and the return to Norfolk was over-booked. We were asked to please have a seat, another plane was being prepped. Within 30 minutes 7 of us were ushered onto the Royal Hawaiian, which had just arrived from Honolulu... The soft waft of Hawaiian music greeted us as the flight attendants, dressed in sarongs, showed us to the 1st class accommodations. We joked bout '7 on a 707' as we were given the 'Royal' treatment.
Wow, as a guy growing up in the 2000s, I've never really researched much about these classic jetliners. So interesting to see where all the modern Boeing jets started!
Mike, you've produced another magnificent video with informative narrative and amazing photos. Thanks so much. My first flight on a Boeing 707 was in the summer of 1978. It was also my first transatlantic AND my first flight in First Class; an overnight flight out of JFK on Pan Am to Dakar, Senegal and then to Monrovia, Liberia. While I slept for good portion of that trip (excluding the layover in Senegal) I still remember the flight vividly, as well as almost every other flight I took on Pan Am over the next decade. BTW, I had my first flight on a Boeing 747 (Swiss Air) on my return from Africa later that summer (via Switzerland), but I'll save that story for your Boeing 747 video. :)
There were three airliners that truly changed the world:. The DC-3, the 707, and the 747. There were certainly other magnificent airplanes, but these three were the archetypes. A case could be made for Concorde, but there were only 16 of them, and their effect on aviation was not significant. But, man, they were something!
Great video , thanks Mike. I’ve read some interesting accounts of the loss of a 707 due to Dutch roll over controlling and one where Tex Johnston ( as a passenger) went to the cockpit to help the pilot recover the airplane in the midst of Dutch rolls.
Thanks for pointing out the different pylon. John Travolta's 707 flew into KC for a big gala at the Airline History Museum. I was shooting a documentary about their Connie, and was invited to attend his arrival. I was able to tour the 707 and sit in the right-seat. It was then that his pilot pointed out the unique pylon on the wing. My grandfather worked with Air Cargo, TWA's freight service, so I spent a lot of time at the downtown airport before MCI was opened up north. Many 707s parked behind hanger 9 for loading and unloading. Loved every moment. It was a different time, when a little kid could wander unaccompanied around the jets. One freighter pilot invited me onboard, but I was terrified that he was going to fly off with me in the plane. I was a dumb kid.
First flight ever, American 707 from SFO to JFK, around ‘64 or ‘65. The most beautiful airliner of all time... and the Revel 1/144 model, the Astrojet! I was sure that orange lightning bolt made it fly faster.
I saw a 707 when we were in the days of the first 707's, from the back yard at our home in St. Albans, New York. In the landing pattern, planes would come in out over Rockaway Blvd. Because the 707 was so different and distinctive, to say the least, the fact that this plane was circling; going around and around again and again prompted me to go tell my father, "I think that plane is in trouble." It WAS! I believe it was the nosewheel which had dropped off. Via the radio, we heard that was the case. Crews were laying down foam. Many, including us, rushed out there to the fence where we could see the ship finally come in ... spraying that foam as she virtually clawed her way to safety. Hundreds of citizens at that fence!
I remember that accident - a Pan Am 707 lost a main landing gear wheel on takeoff, and circled IDL to burn fuel. They did foam the runway and also broadcast the impending landing on all the local AM radio stations, causing a huge crowd to show-up at the airport. Quite a night at Idlewild!
Also, I believe the same ultimately non-fatal type of accident happened in Europe, shortly prior or after and you are right ... it was wheels from the main gear, not the nose gear. But she was so beautiful and graceful, over our house with the wheel wells lit, flaps down, she seemed to be walking king of in a way.
My favorite place to see B707s is Joint Base Andrew’s where they frequently fly in and out in the form of KC135 tankers. They are re-engined and amazingly quiet and soot free ✈️
8:30 You mention that 5'000 gallons (almost 19 metric tons) of water were uplifted for the water injection system of the engines. This would correspond to more than 16% of the max takeoff weight of these early versions of the 707. That quantity seems very high to me. Could you please double check? Thank you!
A great history lesson on this revolutionary aircraft. Now I understand the significance of the 707; as you say it was revolutionary and paved the way for all future commercial aircraft. I really enjoyed this look back at the past.
Wonderful video of a remarkable aircraft. As I watched this, Mike Machat, I kept glancing up to the print that I purchased from you --- "Clipper Stargazer" -- depicting the Pan American Boeing 707 on the inaugural flight from JFK to Moscow, 1968. . . . My first-ever flight was aboard a Pan Am 707, and it is one of my great memories from childhood.
Thanks for another great video, sorry I comment so much but your good.... As a kid the 707 and the 880 were my two favorite jetliners and the best of the best is a TWA 707.
Wonderful to read your comments, Mike, thanks. And yes, those first TWA 707s were absolutely stunning in their red-and-white markings. Pan Am was handsome in blue-and-white, American looked sharp in traditional bare-metal and orange, but that TWA arrowhead was unlike anything ever seen on an airplane!
Born in 1960 in SOCA and moved north so I was bounced all around with my mom as a child to visit and loved the last Connies, DCs, others. Thanks for the great report. Please don't forget that many Britt's lives were lost during the development of the de Havilland Comet, which may have helped Boeing make better decisions regarding their fuselage. Good luck to you sir.
Great video with great photos! Would love to have seen some shots of inside the cabin. I can still remember those big oval dome lights in the ceiling, and the passenger service units (with reading lights and air vents) which were in pods attached to the bottom of the overhead hat rack.
Funny you mentioned the blast. Way back around 1969, I was up a tree a the very end of runway 24 at Manchester, England watching a Pan Am 707 take off. The blast blew me off the tree & in to the airport grounds. As the fence had barbed wire, I couldn't climb back over. I was subsequently picked up by the Police and taken home. I was only 8 years old and I got another roasting from my parents 😂🤣...Memories
I am so proud to serve this wonderful airplane as an aircraft mechanic. B707 was my first airplane, and an A350 was my last official airplane before I left the industry for retirement.
two brilliant aircraft
We flew all around the world twice in the early 70s in 707s when I was very young with our family. Looking back my dad must have paid a fortune for those 2 trips and a family of 5
As a child and teen, I live in the city of Inglewood, California. All 3 schools, Gramer, Jr High, and High School were under the landing pattern of LAX. I remember the SCREECHING of those early jet engines slowing down for their landing at LAX. Morningside High, Class of 68. Thank you Mike for taking me back to my youth.
I witnessed the handover of the first 707 to Pan American at Boeing Field in Seattle in August of 1958, from the other side of a chain link fence. A moment in history witnessed by only a small crowd of onlookers. As the plane revved up and taxied away, I still remember the strong jet blast that hit us. This first glimpse of a sleek, beautiful jet airliner, never before seen by the public at large, was a revelation, and a sight I will never forget.
Great story, thanks, and very similar experience seeing that same airplane for the first time at New York's Idlewild Airport in 1958!
For my money, still the best looking airliner ever made.
Really liked the video. Great stuff.
Awesome!!
Agreed. IMO, the 707’s proportions were just perfect.
Many thanks!
Rubbish....VC 10 EVERYTIME
I have a hard time deciding which was the prettiest airplane ever built, the 707 or the Super Connie.
Next to the 747, probably the most identifiable jet airliner in history. It definitely was a flagship design that influenced many that followed right up to Airbus's A340. A great looking jet that still looks great today. Although, I'm a big fan of the Convair 880 and 990 mostly because of their cool design factor! Another great video, thanks Mike!
I think the Convair 880/990 is underrated.
Consumed so much fuel they weren’t economic
What about the Sud Aviation Caravelle, probably the most beautiful commercial aircraft, and one that predated the Boeing 707.
I flew Delta Con air 880,Chicago to Tampa 1968. 1,200 miles ,1 HR 56 min.
@@richardmorris7063 Wow...talk about expedited delivery! Thanks for sharing that!
I have no logical reason why but the 707 is the most beautiful aircraft in the world. I grew up in the late 60s and early 70s. I've never been on one. But ever since I was a boy I thought the 707 was elegant, powerful, and amazing. Thanks for the lesson and history. You're a lucky guy and fwiw, the DC-3 is my second favourite plane, again, for no known reason.
By far the coolest airliner I’ve ever seen. Miss those loud engines taking off from JFK when I was a kid. Thanks for this !
Well done! The 707 is still the most beautiful commercial airliner ever built. I love this airplane and dreamed that some day I would fly one, but got to the airlines too late to do so. I did get to fly the 727, 737, 757, and 767, all Boeing engineered marvels. The lyrics in the iconic 1965 song Early Morning Rain by Peter, Paul, and Mary say “Out on Runway number 9, big 707 set to go...” And “...Hear the mighty engine roar, see the silver wing on high...”. Check it out.
I agree that the 707 is a thing of beauty, and I've ridden in them many times. However, my nominee for "the most beautiful airliner ever built" goes hands down to the Lockheed Super Constellation.
@@s51curtis I am also a fan of the Super Connie, and agree it is the most beautiful piston airliner ever built. I grew up off the end of Runway 24 about 4 miles from St. Louis's Lambert Field from 1956-1980. When I was 13 years old in 1963, I would walk to the bus stop at the top of my street and every morning at 7am, a TWA 1649 Starliner would fly over my head at about 1000 feet landing on 24. The 1649 was my all time favorite piston airliner and seeing it fly over was one of the things that made me want to become an airline pilot.
@@s51curtis I agree with the both of you and still I'd like to submit the Concorde for that title.
I love that song except it would bother me when the lyrics went "Hear the mighty engine roar. . . " Gordon Lightfoot's version of the song goes "Hear the mighty engines roar. . . " (plural) which satisfies that issue 😆 Not to be nitpicky but I'm sorry that's just how I am.
yup..flew the 707 in the 60's and early 70's. We lived in Japan, so we travelled back to Germany for summer vacation via Anchorage...LOVED the 707!
Cities built airports in the middle of no where. Then the city built up around the airport and people then complained of Noise.
The way it is with states like Texas.
In NJ this is a constant battle. So many small airports closed because of noise complaints. I can think of 5 right off the top of my head and others not allowed to expand for fear they would bring in bigger and louder aircraft.
@@machia0705 Where I live are two massive propane storage tanks. These tanks hold 22 million gallons of propane and when they were built there was nothing around them.The company that owned the tanks begged the city to not allow residential development around the tanks. Well they built houses and when two morons said they were going to blow up the tanks everyone freaked out and wanted the company to move the tanks. First the company said there is no way you could blow up those tanks, you could hit them with a tank shell and they won't blow up. Draining and moving the tanks would be more dangerous. But then the people who bought the houses tried to sue because they were not informed of the danger, a judge dismissed the case.
All different people of course!
True everywhere. Visit Australia & chances are you’ll arrive at the largest airport in the country which happens to be in the middle of the biggest city in the country. Kingsford Smith, Sydney.
I love your 1960's era photos of LAX. I grew up within bicycling distance of the airport. I would lock my bike to a fence and then proceed to wonder in and around the terminals, collecting flight schedules to plan grandiose trips across the country and around the world. It seems hard to believe today that a 10 year old boy- or anyone for that matter, could just stroll around an airport, including departure and arrival areas which are now off limits to anyone without a ticket. It was a different world back then. As an aside, the novelty of jets (and rattling windows) quickly wore off in the El Segundo area. For many years large white letters spelling out NOT SAFE FOR JETS ran along the base of "Spotters Hill." Keep these magnificent videos coming. You should have a million views!
Great comment thanks! Your experiences at LAX during that magical era mirrored exactly what I was doing at JFK - all completely imp[ossible today!
And me @ Ohare!
My first jet flight was in a 707. I flew often on 720Bs. I remember that people dressed up a lot, and the food was not only included, but GOOD.
Sorry i couldn't stay for the live presentation. Ill watch after i get my road closure set up.
Tremendous flying machine! Nostalgic from my youth and golden age of jet travel
The 707 was born about two years before I was but what a wonderful time to be a kid growing up when the jet age came along. Great video! :)
Many thanks!
Octogenarian here. Flew on my first jet in January 1960 from Chicago to Dallas. The trip, the food, and the service were all top notch. What a contrast to a 1957 piston engine flight from Houston to El Paso. The 1957 service was also excellent. This was during the age of regulation.
Thanks. My father was captain on the 707 with American Airlines back in the day.
Fascinating, I was born in 1951 and recall being excited when I saw a jet vapor trail in the lar 50s. In those days "jet setters" was a term reserved for the well-heeled. Today I often fly my grads from PA to Florida for vacation.
In the late 1980s, I worked for Boeing commercial in the Flight Test department at Boeing Field in Seattle. A short time after I hired in, I saw a notice that Tex Johnston was doing a Q&A discussion at the (then new) Museum of Flight. I secured a ticket for a seat in that auditorium, and listened to Tex recount many stories of his time as a pilot, including the 1G roll, and other events in the Dash 80. The audience seemed to be mostly pilots, and they were as attentive as I was.
In the years that followed, the Dash 80 was restored in detail in a hangar space inside the building as my office. I walked past it every day on arrival and again when leaving.The Dash 80 sat low enough on it's gear that I could reach up an place my hand on it, and feel the history.
I look forward to a Brit segway to include Viscount, Comet, Trident, BAC-111, and the incomparable VC-10.
Well done - again - Mike.
Thank you Charles, and we'll be posting Concorde Saturday! (Brit classics someday as well.)
VC-10 was a sexy airplane, used to see it at Chicago ORD in the 60's, I always thought it looked "regal" it's shape, the rear mounted engines, the beautiful, dark navy blue colors with golden stripes, just beautiful, best regards to you sir, from Chicago. BOAC!
I remember flying into Idlewild from England in 1958, and my dad (Air Force) pointing out the brand new Boeing 707 parked across from our prop aircraft. Some years later we flew back to England on a 707. Across from us was a Constellation. I was impressed with the “Connie” and thought it a beautiful airplane. The 707 passenger seating was huge compared to the sardine cans we now fly in. I eventually was in the Air Force and flew on the 707 often.
I can remember flying from LAX to JFK DC in1974. My late mother was slowly dying at NIH at age 51 due to an indeterminate cancer, and I remember being on board a Pan Am 707 taking me there.The take-off roll and climb was.mighty impressive, and the stewardesses made the trip friendly and memorable. Now bothe the 707 and Pan Am are sadly history. God bless.
Thanks for sharing this very touching story, and appreciate the comment. 'Had a similar experience on a Delta DC-8 flying home on emergency leave in the Air Force when my father passed away in 1968. Vivid memories of how the stewardesses went out of there way for this young Airman. Thanks for watching!
As always - GREAT presentation.
What a great documentary. Thank you. I flew the BOAC 707-436 and -336 for 13 years 1970-1983, worldwide. Beautiful aircraft. I still have a full set of BOAC 707 manuals. I also delivered the Ruler of Qatar's personal 707-3PIC, registration A7-AAA, on 24 Feb 1978 to Doha and was stationed there for two weeks in case he wanted to use it. He didn't!
Wonderful comment, thanks!
Having grown up in Southern California, where all my schoolmates fathers worked in aerospace I really enjoy your content. New DC-8’s would approach LGB over my schoolyard on their test flights.
My first experience with the beautiful 707 was at LAX a when as a young child. I saw my dad off on a business trip and my mom needed to boost me up over the wall to wave to my dad as he left. With the jets and dozens of cool prop planes all over, I think this is what started my fascination and model building of airplanes.
Love these videos. The amount of information you present in 15-17 minutes is astounding! Often wondered about the "suffix" numbers on the 707 kits, thanks for clearing that up.
I lived the jet life in 1969 flying Varig 707s from Rio de Janeiro to Miami via Caracas ‘till 1972
Your video brings me fond memories, first class video
Many thanks!
I remember very well the day a 707 came into Stanford Field ,Louisville Kentucky ,was a sight to be seen, also the beautiful Connie's
I enjoy your videos. My dad was a USAF pilot beginning in 1961 and for the next 27 years. He instilled a love of aviation. Building models, family trips in GA aircraft... A lot of your content I recall from airport travel in the 60-70s, living on USAF bases around the globe. I've had a PPL since 2002.
Dad passed 7 years ago, He would love your videos. 'His aviation dreams began living in MPLS under the flight space of now MSP, watching Connies take off. He got his dream in the mid 60's catching a jump seat on a USAF Connie to get back from HA to Travis. He was in C-131s then. The PIC let him take the left seat for a couple hours.
Thank you Mike.
Coming or going The 707 "shriek" can't be beat.
Agreed!
Thanks alot for creating this.
I had the opportunity to fly with her on several occasions transcontinental and it was always a wonderful experience - No IFE , no TV`s just great comfort, great service and smooth rides.
Agreed!
Excellent video!!!
Brings back great memories as a kid growing up in the 1950's!
Great Video Mike . The 707 brings back many great memories !
My first jet travel from Canada to London was in 1967 with my dad then was on a 707. I remember how everyone used be dressed up on that flight and dinner was served on ceramic plates with real cutlery.
Great job. As always, I learned a lot. How about a video dedicated to the origin of the Dash 80 and the USAF's need for a jet tanker?
Great suggestion, thanks!
@Cmndr Roy Fokker My pleasure, Sir!
It's interesting to note that the DC-8 largely outlasted the 707 in commercial service. Many larger DC-8-60s got re-engined and became DC-8-70s, extending the service lives of those airframes. Plus many 707s were bought up for their turbofan engines to support the re-engining of the USAF's KC-135 (717) fleet instead of remaining in commercial service. KC-135As became KC-135Es after re-engining with these former 707 engines.
It's because Boeing wanted to sell the new 757 and 767, not re-engine and stretch the 707. Unlike Boeing, Douglas didn't have anything in between the DC-8 and DC-10 as far as capacity.
The content in these presentations is exceptional. And not monetised. Big thumbs up.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
All these videos are great. Thanks.
I hace enjoyed this video, I love the Boeing 707. My first fly was in 1973 to and from Italy, Pan American B707. I feel very proud of this jet, very good travel. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for that profile of an aircraft type close to my heart. My first flight ever, in 1961, BOAC 707-436 G-APFD Manchester-Prestwick-Goose Bay-New York. Led to a lifelong passion for and career in aviation, a PPL for 50 years and 40 years of aircraft ownership, ongoing. Many subsequent flights, mainly transatlantic, in 707s strengthened my affection for the type.
We were used to piston powered DC3's in our town in Uganda, there was a small aerodrome nearby from where they flew. Then my first flight in 1972 when flying from Entebbe to Cairo and then Barcelona in a Boeing 707. The 707 really did look like a spaceship on the tarmac at Entebbe before we boarded!
I am absolutely AMAZED at the DEPTH of your knowledge, and the quality of your statements !
Wow, thank you!
Regardless of the technological contexts, this 707 is the animal
Great video! Thanks. I was aware how special the 707 was but your video added so much color and depth to the story. My first airline trip was on a Western Airlines 720 from MSP to SFO in 1967. I was 13. Since then I booked over 1.5 million miles on NWA traveling all over the world in my business career. You have helped put that 720 into perspective.
I was lucky enough to fly in one of these in 1977, when I was 13. I was too young to fully appreciate it. Short flight from Chicago to EWR. A nearly empty aircraft. Weird and cool
This popped up on my feed today (2 years after it was created), and I’m so glad it did. What a fabulous presentation! Flew the 707 variants many times and have good memories of it as a work horse of now, sadly, long defunct airlines, particularly TWA-always my favorite carrier.
In June of 1967, right after I graduated from High School, my family flew on a one-week-old Pan Am 707 from SFO > LHR enroute to BFS for a family reunion, as my mother was a WWII War Bride. What I remember most was it glistening in the morning sun at SFO, the "new car smell" inside, the fact it flew a polar route to LHR and the set of wings a FA gave to my little sister - which she still has! Thank you for your excellent work on this video, and Cheers from GEG!
I was lucky enough to fly on one in 1964 or 65 (my first flight) from Las Vegas to San Fransisco. It was TWA it had the nick name as "The Fun Jet " I'll never forget that trip.
Nice video of a great airplane. Flew the 707 for a charter airline back in early 80s. Fond memories of that time.
Thanks Mike, kudos for a very well done video with plenty of Interesting pics and for your comments throughout. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and brought me back to the days of being a young teenager and watching airport operations from the observation deck at Miami international. The days of stainless flatware stamped with the airline logo for your included hot meal. Of red carbon paper tickets. Memories…
It amazes me most bought 720s but all still were thought of as 707
Great video. Boeing learned a lot with the B-47 SAC bomber and applied it to the 707
Thanks for this excellent account of one of the most significant aircraft in history. Great photos and informed narration, both well done. As a 10-year-old boy, I was at Sydney airport in 1959 when the 1st Qantas 707-138 arrived. As a retired former QF employee, I was waiting for your words about how Qantas was the first non-US airline to fly the 707, and that one of the original QF fleet still flies in her original livery, owned and piloted by none other than John Travolta, but I guess that's a side note to your central, very well told story.
But I thought I'd add it here anyway :)
Great video, liked and I'm a new subscriber.
Great video on the 707! Like the image of the TWA 707 at 4:18 that I believe Aurora Models used on their 707 plastic kit starting in 1959.
Yes, that's correct - the painting was by famed Los Angeles illustrator Ren Wicks.
Great episode Mike!!! You are absolutely right about planes like these, they changed air travel and air cargo, in a very big way...
Thanks for your great video of the legendary Boeing 707....my first flight on one was in 1965 on Pan American airlines and I was in love with this amazing quantum leap of air transportation ♥️
April 13 1964 I boarded a BOAC 707 at Toronto airport as a 9 year old boy and I can remember everything about it.Back then you could see the planes from the old terminal built that same year ,torn down 15 or 20 years ago.I guess it’s more sophisticated to not be able to see cool things like jet planes.The 707 seemed to tower over the air Canada DC 8s (even though I think they’re a similar size).As I recall it was flight 606 on a 707 that had “Conway 505 roll Royce engines. Remember Hawaiian music playing on board which seems in retrospect unusual for a plane heading for Scotland.I even remember the squared dishes the food came in.Don’t ask me what I learned in school that year though because 64 was all 707 and Beatles of course.
Wonderful comment, thanks!
I am a 37 year Boeing veteran, but I must say that the revolution was enabled by the engine, not the airframe. Yes, one without the other doesn't get you very far, but without the jet engine, the Comet, the -80 and DC-8 would not have happened. I loved your video and I appreciate your penchant for accuracy. As for the Tex Johnson story, what we always heard was he was fired on Friday and then rehired in that Bill Allen meeting the next morning. The truth is in there somewhere, not that it matters. The funny thing is, a barrel roll is a very benign maneuver for an airplane - 1g all the way around.
Agreed, thanks!
Have flown on those planes several times, across USA & to South America. And for that reason when I was given the chance to take a 757 to the Same destination in S. A. I felt very nostalgic! Though a different plane, the size is very close & brought back many memories of an overnight flight in a single isle aircraft!
Mid-70's I was flying often between London Gatwick and Lagos Ikeja on BCal 707's. BCal was splendid airline. At an aircrew party in the Lagos Airport Hotel I was charmingly informed by an old BCal captain 'that 707's don't have landings, they have controlled crashes'.
I travelled on the 707 (BOAC) between London and Australia a number of times.
Yes, it was fast and that was why it revolutionized long-haul travel.
But the NOISE !! 😱😫 OMG!! Not just outside on take-off and on the ground.
But it was very loud inside - after 24hours flying, it became almost unbearable, and your ears would take a day to recover.
I can recall the bliss of quiet when it was replaced by the 747 as usual BOAC equipment for that route.
One reason jet airliners were safer than propeller liners was because they had fewer gremlins. Gremlins couldn't hang onto the swept back wing of the jetliners, and they would slide off the wing, and be sucked back into the slipstream. The swept back wing had less drag, so gremlins couldn't get a good grip on the wing.
My new fav channel! Thank you and for your service! 👍🇱🇷🇱🇷
Lol miss you ♥️
Excellent history and graphics past history.
Enjoyed watching, listening, thinking the amazing engineering involved in flight.
Brought back memories first jet passenger planes.
Remembrances O’Hare Airport Chicago, Illinois late 1950’s early 1960’s.
Thank you.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
My first jet experience was the 707 from Washington/Baltimore to San Juan, Christmas, 1962.
I attended my dad's mom's funeral in Riverside in 1967, and the return to Norfolk was over-booked.
We were asked to please have a seat, another plane was being prepped.
Within 30 minutes 7 of us were ushered onto the Royal Hawaiian,
which had just arrived from Honolulu...
The soft waft of Hawaiian music greeted us as the flight attendants,
dressed in sarongs, showed us to the 1st class accommodations.
We joked bout '7 on a 707' as we were given the 'Royal' treatment.
Thanks for the wonderful story.
My first flight ever: Athens to JFK, December 6, 1967, Olympic Airways Boeing 707 320 B. I was 6 and super excited!
Great video's . I'm a 68 year old Kiwi so remember these aircraft vrey clearly .
Great painting, very talented.
Wow, as a guy growing up in the 2000s, I've never really researched much about these classic jetliners. So interesting to see where all the modern Boeing jets started!
Mike, you've produced another magnificent video with informative narrative and amazing photos. Thanks so much.
My first flight on a Boeing 707 was in the summer of 1978. It was also my first transatlantic AND my first flight in First Class; an overnight flight out of JFK on Pan Am to Dakar, Senegal and then to Monrovia, Liberia. While I slept for good portion of that trip (excluding the layover in Senegal) I still remember the flight vividly, as well as almost every other flight I took on Pan Am over the next decade. BTW, I had my first flight on a Boeing 747 (Swiss Air) on my return from Africa later that summer (via Switzerland), but I'll save that story for your Boeing 747 video. :)
Great commentary!!!!! I’m a history buff and 32 year flight attendant
This is a wonderful presentation, A +, thank you Mike!
Appreciate the nice comment, thanks Devonne!
Very distinguished presentation. Keep on the good work
There were three airliners that truly changed the world:. The DC-3, the 707, and the 747. There were certainly other magnificent airplanes, but these three were the archetypes. A case could be made for Concorde, but there were only 16 of them, and their effect on aviation was not significant. But, man, they were something!
Excellent point, thanks!
Great video , thanks Mike.
I’ve read some interesting accounts of the loss of a 707 due to Dutch roll over controlling and one where Tex Johnston ( as a passenger) went to the cockpit to help the pilot recover the airplane in the midst of Dutch rolls.
gorgeous machine, today's boring jets can't compare to this beauty
Thanks for pointing out the different pylon. John Travolta's 707 flew into KC for a big gala at the Airline History Museum. I was shooting a documentary about their Connie, and was invited to attend his arrival. I was able to tour the 707 and sit in the right-seat. It was then that his pilot pointed out the unique pylon on the wing.
My grandfather worked with Air Cargo, TWA's freight service, so I spent a lot of time at the downtown airport before MCI was opened up north. Many 707s parked behind hanger 9 for loading and unloading. Loved every moment. It was a different time, when a little kid could wander unaccompanied around the jets. One freighter pilot invited me onboard, but I was terrified that he was going to fly off with me in the plane. I was a dumb kid.
your knowledge on these is quite impressive.
Many thanks!
Super advanced that it still flies as a tanker today.
Great point, thanks!
I thought I knew a lot about these planes. You thought me more in this one video than I want to admit. Great research and first hand knowledge! Wow.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
First flight ever, American 707 from SFO to JFK, around ‘64 or ‘65. The most beautiful airliner of all time... and the Revel 1/144 model, the Astrojet! I was sure that orange lightning bolt made it fly faster.
I saw a 707 when we were in the days of the first 707's, from the back yard at our home in St. Albans, New York. In the landing pattern, planes would come in out over Rockaway Blvd. Because the 707 was so different and distinctive, to say the least, the fact that this plane was circling; going around and around again and again prompted me to go tell my father, "I think that plane is in trouble." It WAS! I believe it was the nosewheel which had dropped off. Via the radio, we heard that was the case. Crews were laying down foam. Many, including us, rushed out there to the fence where we could see the ship finally come in ... spraying that foam as she virtually clawed her way to safety. Hundreds of citizens at that fence!
I remember that accident - a Pan Am 707 lost a main landing gear wheel on takeoff, and circled IDL to burn fuel. They did foam the runway and also broadcast the impending landing on all the local AM radio stations, causing a huge crowd to show-up at the airport. Quite a night at Idlewild!
Also, I believe the same ultimately non-fatal type of accident happened in Europe, shortly prior or after and you are right ... it was wheels from the main gear, not the nose gear. But she was so beautiful and graceful, over our house with the wheel wells lit, flaps down, she seemed to be walking king of in a way.
Brilliant video 📹 & thank you for sharing.
Also, a big 'Hello' 👋 from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England. 🏴
Appreciate your comment and thanks for watching!
No problem & you're welcome. 😊
My favorite place to see B707s is Joint Base Andrew’s where they frequently fly in and out in the form of KC135 tankers. They are re-engined and amazingly quiet and soot free ✈️
8:30 You mention that 5'000 gallons (almost 19 metric tons) of water were uplifted for the water injection system of the engines. This would correspond to more than 16% of the max takeoff weight of these early versions of the 707. That quantity seems very high to me. Could you please double check? Thank you!
Apologies - missed the typo in the script. It's 500 gallons. Good catch!
Great video and so informative. Great to do a similar one on the DC8. Thanks. 🙋♂️👏👏🇬🇧
Here it is: ruclips.net/video/eqnkat2ErZ4/видео.html
Mike, you do good work. You feed my soul with what I love and can’t get enough of. Thank you for doing what you do!
Appreciate the nice comment, thanks!
This is outstanding work Mike, thank you! Could you do a video on the 727 as well?
Thanks, and I'll add the 727 to our list.
A great history lesson on this revolutionary aircraft. Now I understand the significance of the 707; as you say it was revolutionary and paved the way for all future commercial aircraft. I really enjoyed this look back at the past.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
Wonderful video of a remarkable aircraft. As I watched this, Mike Machat, I kept glancing up to the print that I purchased from you --- "Clipper Stargazer" -- depicting the Pan American Boeing 707 on the inaugural flight from JFK to Moscow, 1968. . . . My first-ever flight was aboard a Pan Am 707, and it is one of my great memories from childhood.
Thanks for another great video, sorry I comment so much but your good.... As a kid the 707 and the 880 were my two favorite jetliners and the best of the best is a TWA 707.
Wonderful to read your comments, Mike, thanks. And yes, those first TWA 707s were absolutely stunning in their red-and-white markings. Pan Am was handsome in blue-and-white, American looked sharp in traditional bare-metal and orange, but that TWA arrowhead was unlike anything ever seen on an airplane!
The first plane I ever flew on! 707 from Idlewild in 1961 to Denver.
Born in 1960 in SOCA and moved north so I was bounced all around with my mom as a child to visit and loved the last Connies, DCs, others. Thanks for the great report. Please don't forget that many Britt's lives were lost during the development of the de Havilland Comet, which may have helped Boeing make better decisions regarding their fuselage. Good luck to you sir.
These videos are terrific . I’m so glad I found your channel. Thanks so much for your great stories!
Thanks, and great having you aboard!
Those days are long gone bunch of f-inn bean counters, their narrow body a gussied up B-737-100, now a gussied up B-727-100 big WOW!
Great video with great photos! Would love to have seen some shots of inside the cabin. I can still remember those big oval dome lights in the ceiling, and the passenger service units (with reading lights and air vents) which were in pods attached to the bottom of the overhead hat rack.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
Funny you mentioned the blast. Way back around 1969, I was up a tree a the very end of runway 24 at Manchester, England watching a Pan Am 707 take off. The blast blew me off the tree & in to the airport grounds. As the fence had barbed wire, I couldn't climb back over. I was subsequently picked up by the Police and taken home. I was only 8 years old and I got another roasting from my parents 😂🤣...Memories
Great story, thanks!