Boeing 747, easily recognizable thanks to its "humpbacked" fuselage is actually a byproduct of the development of military 70s.While the US government needed a heavy-duty transport aircraft, on which the tender was announced.Boeing has not received a military order, but felt that in the airline industry will demand a large civil transport aircraft.
So there develop 747 Jumbo Jet, which was twice the largest aircraft of the time.Each aircraft such construction cost then about 16.8 million dollars (1966), so the company needed a major customer, which was the company Pan American.She ordered 25 aircraft of this construction totaling $ 525 million.
In 1969, the Boeing 747-100 was first presented at the Paris Air Show, and for the first six months of 1970, the Pan American aircraft transported through these first million passengers from London - New York.
Since then the company has released a variety of Boeing aircraft, passenger versions that are very diverse.First was created a model of 747-100V, it has a greater take-off weight.Then, for the Japanese people are released 747SR, which was intended for short flights and passenger traffic volume.For long-haul flights was intended 747 SP.It should be noted that the original 747-100 model has undergone modifications to the Civil Reserve - 19 aircraft of this series made the conversion, allowing to turn passenger aircraft into freighter in two days.
today on a variety of countries and continents fly patterns such aircraft as 747-200, which can carry at one time about 450 passengers over a distance of up to 12.7 thous. Km, rising to a maximum height of 13.7 km.You can also mark its option - the Boeing 747-300 with an extended upper cabin for passengers, allowing accommodate a maximum of 660 people.
Transport vessels 747 are involved in both civil and military passenger transportation.In 1990-1991, these brands have been involved in the transfer of US troops in Iraq (there were transported about 640 thousand. Soldiers).On the basis of the production of Boeing and Lockheed developed a model Yal-1A, carrying on board combat lasers to destroy enemy missiles.Known and variety 747-100 - 747-123, which carries on the "back" space shuttle (has been made thirteen missions to the space shuttle "Enterprise").
Disadvantages aircraft in this series include the fact that in the early years of their flights airport could not cope with the passenger flow at the same time relieved of receiving a large number of aircraft.For example, the Paris airport Charles de Gaulle with difficulty "recycled" Boeing arrived to 2-3 passengers, because their total number was 700-1,000 people in a short period of time.
In addition, the crash of such vehicles are fraught with a lot of victims.In 1996, India faced two passenger vessel - 747 and IL-76.The accident claimed the lives of more than 350 people.And the collision of two 747 (206B and 121) in 1977 killed about 580 passengers.
