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Legendary 747 designer Sutter dies age 95
ATWOnline | Air Transport World ^ | August 30, 2016 | Guy Norris

Posted on 08/31/2016 9:19:54 AM PDT by EveningStar

Joe Sutter, who was dubbed “Father of the 747” by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, has died at age 95. As the former chief engineer of Boeing’s 747, Sutter is credited with leading the birth of the first widebody airliner, which ushered in the globe-shrinking age of mass air travel.

(Excerpt) Read more at atwonline.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 747; aerospace; aviation; boeing; boeing747; engineers; joesutter; obituary
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To: RayChuang88; NorthMountain
Easy answer: they are used as flying engine test platforms. The upper picture is a plane that belongs to GE Aero Engines, and the bottom one is a plane belonging to Rolls-Royce.

But did you notice the really odd thing about the GE 747-121 testbed? It has 3 P&W JT9D engines not GE CF6's. The plane was owned by GE Capital when Pan Am went into bankruptcy.

41 posted on 08/31/2016 10:13:35 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not really out to get you.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

“the Queen of the Skies.”

Uh-oh! Another one of them there sexists, huh? ;-)


42 posted on 08/31/2016 10:14:31 AM PDT by spel_grammer_an_punct_polise
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To: CaptainAmiigaf

I assume you’ve seen the old Waltham Watch factory.

I used to drive my grandkids by it and stop the car so they could get a good look at it.

The looks of the building was ruined for many years by window air conditioners but they are gone.

Best picture here.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/america/waltham-watch-factory-project-massachusetts

.

.


43 posted on 08/31/2016 10:20:05 AM PDT by Mears
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To: NorthMountain

Inboard port-side engine looks huge in comparison to the other three.

Some sort of live engine prototype testing?


44 posted on 08/31/2016 10:20:38 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: Paleo Conservative
OK ... Some more slightly beyond usual 747 pictures. <.P
WTF? Another engine test, I suppose ...


Airborne LASER.


SOFIA infrared telescope


Parts hauler for the 787 program

45 posted on 08/31/2016 10:29:21 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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To: Paleo Conservative
I think because it was an ex-Pan Am plane, GE Aero Engines decided NOT to replace the original JT9D engines because it would have required replacing a lot of hydraulic, fuel delivery and electrical systems to accommodate the CF6-50 engine. I believe that plane is still active, and will soon have a GE9X prototype engine mounted to test the engine for the upcoming Boeing 777-8 and 777-9 airliners.
46 posted on 08/31/2016 10:29:31 AM PDT by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's economic cure)
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To: NorthMountain

test engine?


47 posted on 08/31/2016 10:30:10 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: NorthMountain; Pamlico; RayChuang88; EveningStar
The lower aircraft is owned by Rolls Royce, and is testing an engine for the 777.

Couldn't be for the 777. GE has exclusive rights to all high thrust 777's (777-300ER, 777-200LR, 777-200F, 777-8, 777-9, etc.) Since Airbus loaned an A380 prototype to test the Rolls Royce Trent engines for the A350XWB, I would assume that this engine is for some variant of the 787.

48 posted on 08/31/2016 10:31:47 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not really out to get you.)
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To: Cecily

that’s a 747 bringing a shuttle up to low earth orbit. they used them for that for a few years.


49 posted on 08/31/2016 10:32:30 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: NorthMountain

I liked those shorty versions


50 posted on 08/31/2016 10:34:42 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: Mears

NEVER saw the factory. I started repair in 1944 at age 10 and thought “old pocket watches” were for fuddy duddies.
No respect at all, but had to repair them. 72 years later I’m servicing a couple of the VERY SAME watches, now cherished by latter generations.
I admit, though, I grew up in Worcester and live in Milford, both within 35 miles of that factory. I’ve just never gone to see it. As far as the museum is concerned, the contents are brought to me weekly.


51 posted on 08/31/2016 10:37:15 AM PDT by CaptainAmiigaf (New York Times: "We print the news as it fits our views.")
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To: headstamp 2
How about the hungry version?

Nom nom nom nom ...

52 posted on 08/31/2016 10:38:44 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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To: RayChuang88
I think because it was an ex-Pan Am plane, GE Aero Engines decided NOT to replace the original JT9D engines because it would have required replacing a lot of hydraulic, fuel delivery and electrical systems to accommodate the CF6-50 engine. I believe that plane is still active, and will soon have a GE9X prototype engine mounted to test the engine for the upcoming Boeing 777-8 and 777-9 airliners.

Actually GE provides service and upgrades for JT9D engines and possibly some other engines built by other manufacturers.

I think it's already retired. It's a very early 747-100 delivered to Pan Am early in 1970. The replacement plane is a former JAL 747-400D that was used for high capacity domestic service in Japan. I don't think there are many 100 to 300 series 747's still in service. It's much easier to maintain a 400 series 747.

53 posted on 08/31/2016 10:39:06 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not really out to get you.)
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To: Paleo Conservative

They put Rolls-Royce on 777-200, 777-200ER and 777-300.

Maybe it’s not a 777 engine, but from the size looks like one to me.


54 posted on 08/31/2016 10:42:40 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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To: EveningStar

I watched this documentary:

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/747-the-jumbo-revolution/0/3407070

Mr. Sutter is interviewed and the early development of the plane was quite interesting. Boeing was approached by Pan Am to build a ocean liner that would fly. Sutter had his idea but Boeing would not allow him to take part in the presentations because they were afraid he would be too abrasive. He pushed for the current design (Pan Am wanted a multi deck design) and he finally walked into one of the meetings and used a string to show Pan Am how wide the plane would be and the cost savings. Pan Am liked it.


55 posted on 08/31/2016 10:43:35 AM PDT by shotgun
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To: CaptainAmiigaf

Fire tanker ...

56 posted on 08/31/2016 10:45:02 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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To: NorthMountain

57 posted on 08/31/2016 10:48:37 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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To: CaptainAmiigaf

I’m 2 years older that you are-———and inherited the watch when my uncle died in 1966.

He worked for the T and always had the watch with him.

Good for you,starting so young in watch repair-—a wonderful skill.

.

.


58 posted on 08/31/2016 10:48:42 AM PDT by Mears
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To: Cecily

I have pictures of Enterprise when they were bringing it to NASM Dulles.


59 posted on 08/31/2016 10:48:55 AM PDT by PLMerite (Compromise is Surrender: The Revolution...will not be kind.)
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To: NorthMountain

60 posted on 08/31/2016 10:56:20 AM PDT by NorthMountain (Hillary Clinton: corrupt unreliable negligent traitor)
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