Boeing 747 Classic (747-100/200/300/SP)
'Jumbo Jet'
The Boeing 747, unofficially nicknamed 'Jumbo Jet', was the world's first operational widebody airliner and the biggest operational passenger airliner in the world for almost four decades. The latter role has been taken over by the Airbus A380 in October 2007. Because it is much bigger than any earlier airliner, the 747 revolutionised air transport. It made long-haul flying affordable to many more people than before.
Boeing started the development of the 747 in the mid-sixties. The aircraft manufacturer did not succeed in winning the contract for a large transport plane for the US Air Force (winner was Lockheed with the C-5A Galaxy), but used the research-results for designing a big airliner. Pan Am appeared very enthusiastic about Boeing's plans and in April 1966 placed the first order for 25 747-100 aircraft (23 passenger aircraft and 2 freighters).
The passenger cabin of the 747 is almost twice as wide as the 707's and the aircraft is 24.07 m (79 ft) longer than the 707-320. The aircraft also has a small upper deck, including the cockpit. The 747 is the first civil application for high-bypass turbofan engines, which are more powerful and economical than earlier jet engines and produce less noise.
 The first flight took place on February 9 1969 and the new type entered service with Pan Am on 21 January 1970. The initial 747-100 version was soon followed by the 747-200B with higher weights, more powerful engines and longer range. The 747-200B made its maiden flight on October 11 1970 and the first airline to operate it was KLM. Further developments were the 747-200F (Freighter, with a hinged nose plus an optional side cargo door) , the 747-100SR (Short Range, specially developed for domestic air travel in Japan), the 747-200C (Convertible - with a interior that can easily be adapted from passenger layout to cargo configuration) and the 747-200M (Mixed or Combi - with a combined passenger and cargo maindeck).
During the mid-1970s Boeing developed a short-body long-range version of the 747, designated 747SP (Special Performance). The SP flew for the first time on July 4 1975 and the first user was Pan Am. The fuselage of the SP is shortened by 14.35m (47ft 1in) compared to standard body 747s. Other differences include an increase in the horizontal tail span and a higher tail fin. Only 45 SPs have been built.
 The Boeing 747-300 is the first version with a stretched upper deck (SUD) and it offers room for up to 69 extra passengers. The first flight took place on October 5 1982 and the first operator was Swissair. Apart from the stretched upper deck there is not much difference compared to the 747-200 and Boeing delivered only 81 747-300s. A small number of airlines, including KLM, had their earlier 747s converted to get the stretched upper deck. Boeing delivered 724 of the 'Classic' versions (747-100, 747-200, 747-300 and 747SP). A growing number of early passenger Boeing 747 passenger aircraft is being converted to freighters.
Some 747s are used for special purposes, like two 747-200s delivered as U.S. presidential Air Force One aircraft, and four 747-200s, designated E-4s, as airborne emergency command and control posts for the US Air Force. One 747 was modified to ferry space shuttles between California and Florida.
The Boeing 747-400 is described separately here.
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Boeing 747-200 - Specifications
Wingspan: 59.64 m (195ft 8in). Length: 70.66 m (231ft 2 in). Height: 19.33 m (63ft 5 in).
Empty weight: 178,171 kg (392,800 lb). Max. take-off weight: 374,850 kg (833,000 lb).
Accommodation: 366-490 passengers.
Range: 12,408km (6,700 nm). Operating speed: Mach 0.85.
Engines: GE CF6-50E (233.5 kN - 52,500 lb) or P&W JT9D-7 (243.5 kN - 54,750 lb),
or RR RB211-524 (235.8 kN - 53,000 lb).
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Boeing 747SP - Specifications
Wingspan: 59.64 m (195ft 8in). Length: 56.31 m (184ft 9in). Height: 19.94 m (65ft 5in).
Empty weight: 147,420 kg (325,000 lb). Max. take-off weight: 317,515 kg (700,000 lb).
Accommodation: 316-440 passengers.
Range: 12,325 km (6,650 nm). Operating speed: Mach 0.85.
Engines: P&W JT9D-7 (218.4 kN - 48,750 lb),
or RR RB211-524B (222.8 kN - 50,100 lb).
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