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The 737 is the smallest and most popular jetliner in the Boeing family. Dependable and economical, the 737 series has a reputation as a workhorse and can be found in airline fleets across the world. Since 1967, over 10,000 "Baby Boeings" have been produced.
The 737 was designed to share significant component commonality with its predecessor 707 and 727 aircraft. One major difference for the new 737 was elimination of the flight engineer station and adoption of a two-crew flight deck. The 737-100 and stretched -200 entered service in 1967. Early production was based at the Thompson Site at Boeing Field before moving to Renton in 1970.
The 737-300/400/500 family was introduced in the mid-1980s and sported several engineering improvements, such as new high-bypass ratio CFM56 engines and a new flight deck. Originally designed as a purely short-haul aircraft that could fly 1000 to 2000 miles, the 737 achieved transcontinental range in the mid-1990s with the Next Generation (NG) 737-600/700/800/900 series. The NG also introduced the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The 737 MAX family, the fourth generation of the 737, entered airline service in 2017.
Several military versions of the 737 have served in various roles. The U.S. Air Force T-43 navigator-trainer was based on the 737-200. The C-40A/B was based on the NG series and provided personnel and cargo transport capability for the U.S. Navy and Air Force, respectively. The NG airframe is also the platform for the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for several nations.
The Museum's aircraft is the very first 737 ever produced. It was the last new airplane to be manufactured at Boeing Plant 2. The aircraft made its first flight with Brien Wygle and Lew Wallick at the controls on April 9, 1967. Boeing used the 737 as a flight test aircraft before selling it to NASA in 1974. Based at the Langley Research Center in Virginia, this 737 became the Transport Systems Research Vehicle, known as NASA 515. It tested many technological innovations, including a virtual cockpit, electronic flight displays, and airborne windshear detection systems. It was retired in 1997.
This aircraft is on loan from the NASA Langley Research Center.
The 737 is the smallest and most popular jetliner in the Boeing family. Dependable and economical, the 737 series has a reputation as a workhorse and can be found in airline fleets across the world. Since 1967, over 10,000 "Baby Boeings" have been produced.
The 737 was designed to share significant component commonality with its predecessor 707 and 727 aircraft. One major difference for the new 737 was elimination of the flight engineer station and adoption of a two-crew flight deck. The 737-100 and stretched -200 entered service in 1967. Early production was based at the Thompson Site at Boeing Field before moving to Renton in 1970.
The 737-300/400/500 family was introduced in the mid-1980s and sported several engineering improvements, such as new high-bypass ratio CFM56 engines and a new flight deck. Originally designed as a purely short-haul aircraft that could fly 1000 to 2000 miles, the 737 achieved transcontinental range in the mid-1990s with the Next Generation (NG) 737-600/700/800/900 series. The NG also introduced the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The 737 MAX family, the fourth generation of the 737, entered airline service in 2017.
Several military versions of the 737 have served in various roles. The U.S. Air Force T-43 navigator-trainer was based on the 737-200. The C-40A/B was based on the NG series and provided personnel and cargo transport capability for the U.S. Navy and Air Force, respectively. The NG airframe is also the platform for the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for several nations.
The Museum's aircraft is the very first 737 ever produced. It was the last new airplane to be manufactured at Boeing Plant 2. The aircraft made its first flight with Brien Wygle and Lew Wallick at the controls on April 9, 1967. Boeing used the 737 as a flight test aircraft before selling it to NASA in 1974. Based at the Langley Research Center in Virginia, this 737 became the Transport Systems Research Vehicle, known as NASA 515. It tested many technological innovations, including a virtual cockpit, electronic flight displays, and airborne windshear detection systems. It was retired in 1997.
This aircraft is on loan from the NASA Langley Research Center.
