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 Boeings 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 ...
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.
“the Queen of the Skies.”
Uh-oh! Another one of them there sexists, huh? ;-)
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
.
.
Inboard port-side engine looks huge in comparison to the other three.
Some sort of live engine prototype testing?
Airborne LASER.
SOFIA infrared telescope
Parts hauler for the 787 program
test engine?
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.
that’s a 747 bringing a shuttle up to low earth orbit. they used them for that for a few years.
I liked those shorty versions
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.
Nom nom nom nom ...
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.
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.
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.
Fire tanker ...
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.
.
.
I have pictures of Enterprise when they were bringing it to NASM Dulles.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.