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The early years through 1960

The Boeing 707 and its close cousin the Boeing 720 were the largest selling first generation jet airliners in the world. Developed by Boeing in the mid-1950s, these classic jetliners ordered by the world’s leading airlines of the day, and served as front line transports throughout the 1960s.

These 1950s era also films capture the development, manufacture, flight test, and airline operations of this remarkable aircraft. All of the early Boeing 707 and Boeing 720 customers represented including Pan Am, Continental Airlines, TWA, American Airlines, Braniff, Varig, Air France, Aer Lingus, United Airlines, BOAC, Sabena, South African Airways, and others.

This show highlights include test flying both the 707 and 720 from the California high desert at Edwards Air Force base, President Eisenhower’s December, 1959, eleven nation tour (Operation Monsoon) aboard the first MATS VC137A, the delivery of the first Qantas Boeing 707, the May 28, 1959, Boeing 707 intercontinental route proving flight from Seattle to Rome direct (with Boeing President William Allen aboard), Sabena’s remarkable 707 operations during the Congo evacuations of 1960, delivery of Irish International’s first Boeing 720 in the Fall of 1960, and their subsequent crew training with the aircraft in Tucson, and a lot more!