Boeing 747 Classic - Peter Gilchrist
Back in the mid-1960s, leaders in the airline business forecast a need for two airliners: a large-capacity aircraft of transcontinental or trans-Atlantic range and a long-range supersonic airliner. The need for the first aircraft type was a result of the increasing congestion at many airports as the economy of jet transport allowed many more people to choose flying. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force needed a large-capacity cargo and troop transport. As a result of this, Boeing and Lockheed were working on designs for an aircraft of unprecedented size; at the same time, two major U.S. engine manufacturers were developing a new turbofan in the 45,000-lb thrust class that would be needed to power the leviathan. Both the airframe and the powerplant represented a more than twofold increase in size and power. In the military, supersonic flight was well advanced; many people predicted that the technology could be adapted for civilian use. Furthermore, the French and British were working on a design called the Concorde, and several major international carriers were showing interest in the aircraft, while the Soviet Union was working on its own aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-144. (Although the Soviet design held little commercial appeal, it is important to remember that these events were taking place during the Cold War.) In fact, Boeing's own predictions were that most passengers would be flying on supersonic jets; the large-capacity aircraft it was developing for both the military and as the next airliner to succeed the Boeing 707 and DC-8 Super-60 series would be primarily a cargo carrier.
Peter Gilchrist's book documents the conception, development, construction, and service of what has now become known as the Boeing 747 Classic, namely the series -100, -200, -300, -SP, and -SR - those variants that preceded the series -400 and -800 with their digital technology flight deck, increased use of composite materials, and advanced aerodynamics.
The chapters on evolution and design chronicle the development of the aircraft that preceded the Boeing 747s, mainly the large aircraft of World War II and the period thereafter (the B-17, B-29, and B-50 bombers and the Model 367/377 transports/tankers/airliners), the B-47 (and the later B-52) bomber, which pioneered swept wings and podded engines, and the Boeing 707 and KC-135 designs, which applied all these lessons in the basic design of a long-range civilian airliner and military transport/tanker. Boeing was gaining further experience with its research into the U.S. Air Force request for a very-large-capacity transport. However, Lockheed, with its experience in building the C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter, won the bid. Nevertheless, Boeing continued applying what it learned to a civilian airliner, which could be easily converted into a freighter once the flying public flocked to the sleek, needle-nosed SSTs. Though Gilchrist's book does mention these things, along with the fact that Pan American and other airlines were not enthusiastic about a double-deck airliner, it does not show Boeing's entry or explain the reason for the characteristic hump to accommodate the flight deck and an upward-opening nose section, vestiges of which can be seen on all 747s, right through the series -400. The whole history is very interesting; readers should consult Joe Sutter's book on the Boeing 747 for more.
The following chapter shows the construction of the Boeing 747, though it does rely heavily on pictures of the prototype. While these pictures are very interesting, the construction of a production machine is an entirely different matter altogether. The lack of text is compensated for by the detailed captions that accompany each photograph.
Chapter 4 delves into the technical specifications of the various types that fall under the name "Boeing 747 Classic." For aircraft junkies like this reviewer, this section is comprehensive, with a nice wing shot of a Rolls-Royce-powered 747 and two flight deck photographs thrown in, before going on to the airplane's cabin and many possible arrangements. This section is extremely well done, allowing this book to stand out over others, equaling only the AirlinerTech volume. I would even put my reputation on the line and say that this section alone is worth the price of the book - it is that well done.
Chapter 5 follows the logical progression of describing the each variant of the Boeing 747 Classic; including the short-range, high-density and various cargo and combi variants. Also included are the examples sold to various military and government entities. The book does a fine job in including the alphabet soup of variants, with a degree of detail not found elsewhere; only the -200 series and two Japan Air Lines -100 series airplanes modified with the stretched upper deck (SUD) that characterized the -300 and passenger -400 aircraft are not included. Not covered in this book are flight testing, early problems with the Pratt & Whitney JT-9D cowlings, and designs Boeing tried to sell to the Air Force but never left the drawing board.
The chapters on airline operations, accidents & incidents, and production history are out of date, but they do provide valuable insight into the early customers, so-called first-tier operators, of the Boeing 747 Classics. The production list is still of value for looking up first flights and delivery dates of individual airframes.
Most of the volumes in the Airliner Color History series are more "coffee-table" books, tomes with many nice pictures but little to say about the subject. In that respect, with this volume, Mr. Gilchrist has done a fine job in covering these classic airliners, not only meeting my expectations, but exceeding them.
I am an Amazon.com top reviewer. Aircraft and aviation history are passions of mine. I am available as a freelance writer to help authors gain greater Web presence for their works and will happily review sample copies of books and related aviation items. It would be a conflict of interest to charge a fee, but I do need a sample.
Boeing 747 Classic - Peter Gilchrist
Back in the mid-1960s, leaders in the airline business forecast a need for two airliners: a large-capacity aircraft of transcontinental or trans-Atlantic range and a long-range supersonic airliner. The need for the first aircraft type was a result of the increasing congestion at many airports as the economy of jet transport allowed many more people to choose flying. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force needed a large-capacity cargo and troop transport. As a result of this, Boeing and Lockheed were working on designs for an aircraft of unprecedented size; at the same time, two major U.S. engine manufacturers were developing a new turbofan in the 45,000-lb thrust class that would be needed to power the leviathan. Both the airframe and the powerplant represented a more than twofold increase in size and power. In the military, supersonic flight was well advanced; many people predicted that the technology could be adapted for civilian use. Furthermore, the French and British were working on a design called the Concorde, and several major international carriers were showing interest in the aircraft, while the Soviet Union was working on its own aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-144. (Although the Soviet design held little commercial appeal, it is important to remember that these events were taking place during the Cold War.) In fact, Boeing's own predictions were that most passengers would be flying on supersonic jets; the large-capacity aircraft it was developing for both the military and as the next airliner to succeed the Boeing 707 and DC-8 Super-60 series would be primarily a cargo carrier.
Peter Gilchrist's book documents the conception, development, construction, and service of what has now become known as the Boeing 747 Classic, namely the series -100, -200, -300, -SP, and -SR - those variants that preceded the series -400 and -800 with their digital technology flight deck, increased use of composite materials, and advanced aerodynamics.
The chapters on evolution and design chronicle the development of the aircraft that preceded the Boeing 747s, mainly the large aircraft of World War II and the period thereafter (the B-17, B-29, and B-50 bombers and the Model 367/377 transports/tankers/airliners), the B-47 (and the later B-52) bomber, which pioneered swept wings and podded engines, and the Boeing 707 and KC-135 designs, which applied all these lessons in the basic design of a long-range civilian airliner and military transport/tanker. Boeing was gaining further experience with its research into the U.S. Air Force request for a very-large-capacity transport. However, Lockheed, with its experience in building the C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter, won the bid. Nevertheless, Boeing continued applying what it learned to a civilian airliner, which could be easily converted into a freighter once the flying public flocked to the sleek, needle-nosed SSTs. Though Gilchrist's book does mention these things, along with the fact that Pan American and other airlines were not enthusiastic about a double-deck airliner, it does not show Boeing's entry or explain the reason for the characteristic hump to accommodate the flight deck and an upward-opening nose section, vestiges of which can be seen on all 747s, right through the series -400. The whole history is very interesting; readers should consult Joe Sutter's book on the Boeing 747 for more.
The following chapter shows the construction of the Boeing 747, though it does rely heavily on pictures of the prototype. While these pictures are very interesting, the construction of a production machine is an entirely different matter altogether. The lack of text is compensated for by the detailed captions that accompany each photograph.
Chapter 4 delves into the technical specifications of the various types that fall under the name "Boeing 747 Classic." For aircraft junkies like this reviewer, this section is comprehensive, with a nice wing shot of a Rolls-Royce-powered 747 and two flight deck photographs thrown in, before going on to the airplane's cabin and many possible arrangements. This section is extremely well done, allowing this book to stand out over others, equaling only the AirlinerTech volume. I would even put my reputation on the line and say that this section alone is worth the price of the book - it is that well done.
Chapter 5 follows the logical progression of describing the each variant of the Boeing 747 Classic; including the short-range, high-density and various cargo and combi variants. Also included are the examples sold to various military and government entities. The book does a fine job in including the alphabet soup of variants, with a degree of detail not found elsewhere; only the -200 series and two Japan Air Lines -100 series airplanes modified with the stretched upper deck (SUD) that characterized the -300 and passenger -400 aircraft are not included. Not covered in this book are flight testing, early problems with the Pratt & Whitney JT-9D cowlings, and designs Boeing tried to sell to the Air Force but never left the drawing board.
The chapters on airline operations, accidents & incidents, and production history are out of date, but they do provide valuable insight into the early customers, so-called first-tier operators, of the Boeing 747 Classics. The production list is still of value for looking up first flights and delivery dates of individual airframes.
Most of the volumes in the Airliner Color History series are more "coffee-table" books, tomes with many nice pictures but little to say about the subject. In that respect, with this volume, Mr. Gilchrist has done a fine job in covering these classic airliners, not only meeting my expectations, but exceeding them.
I am an Amazon.com top reviewer. Aircraft and aviation history are passions of mine. I am available as a freelance writer to help authors gain greater Web presence for their works and will happily review sample copies of books and related aviation items. It would be a conflict of interest to charge a fee, but I do need a sample.