Aircraft / Boeing 707-120

Sep 03, 2024
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Boeing 707-120 in China Southwest 1988 livery, shown in side view.

One of eight variations of the Boeing 707 aircraft family, the Boeing 707-120 is a narrow-body, long range four-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a division of The Boeing Company. Boeing Commercial Airplanes is headquartered in Renton, Washington USA, while the parent company’s head office is located in Arlington, Virginia USA.

The 707-120 was the first production 707 variant. It had a longer, wider fuselage and a greater wingspan than the prototype aircraft it was based on, the Boeing 367-80 demonstrator. The 707-120 was designed for use on transcontinental routes; it typically required a refueling stop during flights across the North Atlantic.

Notable “fork” variants that were derived from the 707-120 include 1) the Boeing 707-120B, which had quieter yet more powerful engines; 2) the Boeing 707-138, which was designed for the Australian airline Qantas and featured a shortened fuselage but longer range; and the Boeing 707-220, designed for hot and high operations with more powerful engines and delivered to Braniff International Airways.

Production of the Boeing 707-120 ended in 1960 after a total of 56 -120s, 72 -120Bs, seven -138s, and five -220s were built. The 707-120 series was superseded by the newer Boeing 707-320 stretched variant, which could carry more passengers and had a superior range.

Many of the 707-120s were sold and/or converted in passenger, cargo or combi configurations. The type continued to fly passengers in the US until 1983 and worldwide until 2013, and saw prevalent use as a freighter throughout its lifespan. Although a few Boeing 707-320s continue to fly in a limited military capacity, all Boeing 707-120s appear to have been retired. A few 707-120s are, however, have been placed on static display at museums around the world.

Reference: Wikipedia.

Stats

Stats displayed are for the Boeing 707-120B quadjet aircraft.

  • Name: Boeing 707-120B

  • Origin: Renton, Washington USA

  • Role: Four Engine Narrow-body Jet Airliner

  • First Introduction: 26 October 1958

  • Status: Out of Production; Retired

  • Cockpit Crew: Three

  • Seating: 137-174

  • Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney P&W JT3C-6 (-120) or P&W JT3D-1 (-120B)

  • Cruise Speed: 484-540 knots (896-1000 km/h; 557-621 mph)

  • Range: 3600 nmi (6700 km; 4100 mi)