The first Jumbo Jet, Boeing’s model 747, garnered its launch order from Pan American World Airways in April of 1966. The design for the largest commercial jet transport (up to that time), hadn’t even been frozen for production yet. It has been said that Pan Am was able to influence parts of the new design while it was still on the drawing boards. The prototype finally flew on February 9, 1969, and was introduced into service by Pan Am some eleven months later, on January 22, 1970.
Originally, what ultimately became the 747 design was a response to a large military transport aircraft competition that was advertised in May, 1964. The CX-LHS winner was Lockheed’s C-5A Galaxy, but Boeing retained much of their design idea in a commercial passenger jet proposal. During Boeing’s 50th Anniversary year (1966), the first orders were inked. This year (2016), Boeing just celebrated its 100th anniversary… how time flies!
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