Boeing 720 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boeing 720 |
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| Trans Polar Boeing 720 landing at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in June 1970 | |
| Role | Narrow-body jet airliner |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Airplane Company |
| First flight | November 23, 1959 |
| Introduction | July 5, 1960 with United Airlines |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | United Airlines Western Airlines Eastern Airlines Northwest Airlines |
| Produced | 1958–1967 |
| Number built | 154 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
The Boeing 720 is a type of jet airliner. It's called a "narrow-body" plane because it usually has two rows of seats for passengers. This plane has four powerful engines. Boeing designed the 720 in the 1950s.
It was based on another plane called the Boeing 707. However, the 720 is shorter and can't fly as far as the 707. The first Boeing 720 took its first flight in November 1959. Airlines started using it for passengers in July 1960.
Boeing made two main types of the 720. The first type used Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojet engines. It started flying in 1960. The second type, called the 720B, had newer Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engines. These were first used in 1961. Some of the older 720s were even changed into 720Bs.
Only 154 Boeing 720s were built. Even though not many were made, the plane helped Boeing earn a lot of money. This was because it didn't cost much to design since it was similar to the 707. The Boeing 720 was later replaced by the Boeing 727.
Contents
How the Boeing 720 Was Designed
A Shorter Plane
In July 1957, Boeing announced they would make a new version of the Boeing 707. At first, they called it the 707-020. Later, the name was changed to 720. The Boeing 720 is about 8 feet 4 inches (2.5 meters) shorter than the Boeing 707.
The 720 had some special changes to its outside. These changes helped it fly faster than the 707. It used four Pratt & Whitney JT3C-7 turbojet engines. Each engine produced about 12,500 pounds (55.6 kN) of thrust.
At one point, the plane was even called the 717-020. But Boeing later used the name "717" for a military jet. That military jet later became the MD-95 after Boeing bought another company.
Because the 720 was so much like the Boeing 707, Boeing didn't need to build a special test plane (a prototype). Any new parts were tested on the Boeing 367-80. The very first 720 flew on November 23, 1959. United Airlines was the first airline to use it, starting on July 5, 1960. Boeing built 65 of these original 720 planes.
Newer Engines
The 720B was a different type of 720. It had newer Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engines. These engines were more powerful, making about 17,000 pounds (75.6 kN) of thrust each. They also used less fuel.
The first 720B took off on October 6, 1960. American Airlines was the first airline to use it in March 1961. Boeing built 89 of the 720B planes. American Airlines also changed some of their older 720s to the newer 720B type.
Since the Boeing 720 was so similar to the Boeing 707, it didn't cost much to design. This meant Boeing still made money, even though they didn't sell as many as other planes. Boeing built a total of 154 Boeing 720s and 720Bs between 1959 and 1967.
What the Boeing 720 Looked Like
The Boeing 720 looked a lot like the Boeing 707-120. But it was about 9 feet (2.7 meters) shorter and also lighter.
The Body
The 707 had special emergency exits over the wings. The 720 removed the back over-wing exit. However, two extra over-wing exits could be added. This allowed the plane to carry more passengers if needed.
The Wings
The 720 used the same basic wing design as the 707. It had the same wingspan as the 707-120. The 720's wing had a special part called a "wing root glove." This part helped the wing create less air resistance when flying.
The Engines
The first 720s had turbojet engines. But the Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engine became much more popular. Planes with the JT3D engines were called 720Bs. As mentioned, American Airlines even changed some of their older 720s to 720Bs.
The 720 used air from its engines to keep the cabin pressurized for passengers. But the engines couldn't always make enough air. So, small holes were added above the engines to bring in more air.
Other Parts
The Boeing 720 didn't have an APU. An APU is like a small engine that provides power when the main engines are off. So, the 720 needed power from equipment on the ground to start up. Once the main engines were running, they could make electricity for the plane.
History of the Boeing 720
The first Boeing 720 was built for United Airlines. It flew for the first time on November 23, 1959. United Airlines began using it for flights on July 5, 1960. Its first route was from Los Angeles to Denver, then to Chicago. American Airlines was the second airline to use the 720. During the 1960s, the Boeing 720 was replaced by the Boeing 727.
One special 720 was named "The Starship". It was turned into a private plane for rock bands. The famous band Led Zeppelin used it often in the 1970s. This plane had a bar, beds, a shower, a lounge, and a TV with a video player.
Honeywell used the last Boeing 720 in the United States. They used it for testing new equipment. This plane flew from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Honeywell stopped using it in June 2008 and replaced it with a Boeing 757.
Pratt & Whitney Canada used the very last 720 until 2010. They used it to test new aircraft engines. They replaced it with a Boeing 747SP. In May 2012, this last 720 was flown to the National Air Force Museum of Canada. You can now see it there.
Different Types of Boeing 720
- 720
- This was the first version of the plane. It used Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojet engines.
- 720B
- This type had the more powerful Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engines. American Airlines changed all ten of their original 720s into 720Bs.
Who Used the Boeing 720
Many airlines bought new Boeing 720 or 720B planes:
Colombia Avianca got three 720Bs.
Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines got three 720Bs.
Germany Lufthansa got eight 720Bs.
Ireland Aer Lingus got three 720s.
Israel El Al got two 720Bs.
Pakistan Pakistan International Airlines got four 720Bs.
United States American Airlines got ten 720s and 15 720Bs. They changed their 720s to 720Bs.- United States Braniff International Airways got five 720s.
- United States Continental Airlines got eight 720Bs.
- United States Eastern Airlines got 15 720s.
- United States The Federal Aviation Agency got one 720.
- United States Northwest Airlines got 13 720Bs.
- United States Pacific Northern Airlines got two 720s.
- United States United Airlines got 29 720s.
- United States Western Airlines got 27 720Bs.
Accidents
The Boeing 720 has been involved in 23 accidents where the plane was badly damaged or destroyed. It was also hijacked nine times. One plane was destroyed by a bomb in 1976. Sadly, people died in 12 of these accidents. A total of 256 people have died on Boeing 720s.
Planes in Museums
You can see some Boeing 720s in museums:
- A 720-047B (number 18351) that used to be a special plane for the Republic of China Air Force is on display in Kangshan, Taiwan.
- A 720-030B (number HK-749) is on display at the Museo de los Ninos in Bogota, Colombia. It is painted in SAM Colombia airline colors.
See also
- Aircraft related to this one
Images for kids
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The Boeing 720 made its maiden flight on November 23, 1959.
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The 720 is slightly shorter than the 707 and has a modified wing.
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The Boeing 720 flight deck.
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United Airlines introduced the 720 on July 5, 1960.
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The Controlled Impact Demonstration used a FAA 720.
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A Middle East Airlines 720 destroyed during Operation Peace for Galilee.
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See also
In Spanish: Boeing 720 para niños
