ONE OF THE BOLDEST JOURNEYS IN AVIATION
Microsoft Flight Simulator released Famous Flyer 10: The Boeing 707-320Cthe most successful and widely produced variant of the famous Boeing 707 family of long-range aircraft. It was the culmination of years of inspired innovation and meticulous development.
The late 1940s witnessed rapid advances in aviation technology, with the advent of the jet engine at the forefront of these groundbreaking innovations. Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer known for its World War II piston-engined bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, started with the jet engine and began developing designs that would exploit its capabilities. The company’s B-47 Stratojet, a long-range, high-altitude strategic bomber powered by six turbojet engines, made its maiden flight in 1947 and proved highly successful. The aircraft featured Boeing innovations such as engine nacelles and a swept wing design. In April 1952, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress made its maiden flight. The bomber shares the same basic design elements as the B-47, including a swept main wing with nacelles. The B-52, later versions of which are still in service, is one of the most successful aircraft in military aviation.
The same month that the B-52 first took off, Boeing made a bold and risky decision: The company would embark on secret, self-financed development of an aircraft with similar design features to the B-47 and B-52, but designed as a proof-of-concept platform for commercial and general military use. They would build only a single example and use it as a prototype to generate interest in production variants. The decision was a gamble for many reasons, primarily because the public was not keen on the idea of jet-powered passenger aircraft. The development costs could potentially bankrupt the company if no orders came in.
AN ICON RISES:
Less than two years after Boeing’s risky decision, on July 15, 1954, the secretly developed aircraft made its maiden flight. Officially designated the 367-80 and nicknamed the “Dash 80,” the aircraft had a swept main wing and was powered by four turbojet engines housed in nacelles. Its demonstration flights, which famously featured unannounced barrel rolls, impressed both airline executives and military decision-makers.
Subsequently, development began on a new aircraft based on the Dash 80, the 707. The first version of the four-engine aircraft, the 707-120, made its maiden flight on December 20, 1957, and was introduced into scheduled service for Pan American Airways on October 26, 1958. This first line of 707s marked the beginning of a historic line of 7×7 series aircraft that continues to this day.
A SOPHISTICATED ICON
Boeing introduced the 707-320C, the last version of the 707 series, in the early 1960s. The 320C was a “convertible” (hence “C”) variant that could be used as a passenger aircraft or to carry cargo. The C was an improved version of the 707-320B, with the C’s most notable feature being the cargo door in the fuselage. The 320C also featured an updated wing with three flaps on the leading edge and improved takeoff and landing performance.
The 707-320C was the most successful and widely used aircraft of the 707 family, with 337 units built. Airlines such as Northwest, Pan Am, Air France and Braniff flew this aircraft. The 707-320C was produced until 1978 and flew into the early 21st century.
During its service life, the 707-320C was manned by a crew of three and could carry up to 219 passengers, 13 pallets of cargo, or a combination of both. The aircraft is 152 feet, 11 inches long, 42 feet tall, and has a wingspan of 145 feet, 9 inches. It was powered by four wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT3D low-bypass ratio turbofan engines, each developing up to 19,000 pounds of thrust. The jet had a range of 3,337 miles and a cruise speed of 604 miles per hour.
RELIVE THE THRILL – ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Microsoft Flight Simulator celebrates this great aircraft by highlighting it as the tenth Famous Flyer. Experience the thrill of taking this icon of the jet age to the skies and flying it around the world in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The 707-320C is available in six liveries: Boeing Delivery, World Travel, Pacifica, Orbit, Emerald Harbor and PanAm and is available now from the In-Sim Marketplace for $14.99. The skies are calling!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile, tablet, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, visit @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly Twitter).
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