Round-the-World Flights

"Boeing 727 Global World Tour Round-the-World"

Page 5ii (rev: 1000)

Boeing 727-100	Continental Tour	Global Tour - Tokyo	Global Tour - S Africa	Global Tour - Switzerland

	In the late 1950's Boeing saw the need for a short/medium haul 
airliner jet. It examined almost 70 different design studies before 
finalizing the 727 configuration.  Boeing included leading edge slats 
and Kruger flaps that would give this cutting edge airliner great 
high lift performance for takeoff from short landing strips.  On 
December 5, 1960 Boeing made a formal announcement for its new 
three-engine 727 jet with both United and Eastern Airlines each 
ordering 40 of the new aircraft.
	The 727-100 (N7001U) piloted by Captain Lew Wallick made it's 
first ever flight on February 9, 1963 from Boeing's field in Renton WA.  
Later that year on October 29, 1963 Boeing delivered the first 727 to 
United Airlines under a provisional FAA Certificate.  To introduce the 
727 to other commercial airliners, Boeing sent its new 727 on a US 
continental tour starting on August 25, 1963 followed by a maiden 
global flight world tour round-the-world.  As the 727 visited cities
in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, reply postcards with this
message were given as souvenirs for posting back to the Boeing Employees'
Stamp Club. On November 3, 1963 the 727 completed its 76,000 mile 
round-the-world tour visiting 26 countries.
	On February 1964 the 727 began revenue service with United and 
Eastern Airlines.  One of the features that gave the 727 its ability to 
land on shorter runways was its unique wing design. Through flap 
extension and leading edge slat deployment, the 727 could almost double 
its wing surface area allowing it to fly with great stability at very 
slow speeds. The 727's three powerful engines also enabled quick 
take-offs from shorter runways.
	The 727, like all Boeing jetliners, was continually modified to fit 
the changing market.  It became the best-selling airliner in history 
when orders passed the 1,000 mark in September 1972.  On September 18, 
1984 the last 727 (727-200F) was delivered to Federal Express ending 
Boeing's production run of 1,832 aircraft built.  The 727 holds a 
permanent place in the annals of aviation as one of the most significant 
airplanes in the development of the world's jet transportation system. 
One hundred and one customers purchased new 727s from Boeing and dozens 
more have been placed into service as "second tier" used aircraft. 

	  

Itinerary:

Departed Seatle WA                08/25/63
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx	
  Tokyo, Japan                    09/27/63
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx
  Germiston, South Africa         10/14/63
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx
  Zurich, Switzerland             10/21/63   	 
  xxxxxx
  xxxxxx
Arrived Seatle WA                 11/03/63

RETURN to Home Page.

eMail: WINGNET