Aircraft / Boeing 720
The Boeing 720 is a narrow-body, medium 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 Boeing 720 was a derivative of the predecessor Boeing 707 quadjet, with a reduced length of 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 m), a modified wing, and a lightened airframe. It was designed to provide for short to medium range flights from shorter runways, but had a shorter range than the 707. The type first entered service in July 1960. Though it was not as commonly used as the 707, the 720 did see early utilization among several notable major airlines in Europe and North America.
Production of the Boeing 720 ended in 1967 with 154 aircraft built. It was superseded in favor of the newer Boeing 727 and Boeing 737. In time the major airlines passed on some of their 720s to second-line carriers in South America and elsewhere, while others were converted into freighters. One of the 720s, registered as N7201U, was converted into a chartered business jet known as The Starship. During the 1970s N7201U was hired by by Led Zeppelin and other touring rock bands, and included a bar with a built-in electric organ, beds, a shower, a lounge area, a TV, and video cassette player.
By the end of the 1970s the major airlines sold off their Boeing 720s, after which many were adopted by operators in other parts of the world. The type lived on until 2010 supporting testing and research activities before being retired in September 2010. Several 720B aircraft can still be found on static display in museums and elsewhere.
Reference: Wikipedia.
Stats
Stats displayed are for the Boeing 720B quadjet aircraft.
Name: Boeing 720B
Origin: Renton, Washington USA
Role: Four Engine Narrow-body Jet Airliner
First Introduction: 5 July 1960
Status: Out of Production; Retired
Cockpit Crew: Three
Seating: 131-156
Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney JT3D
Cruise Speed: 520 knots (962 km/h; 598 mph)
Range: 3200 nmi (5900 km; 3700 mi)