End of the line for 727

Press, 16 August 1984, Page 11

End of the line for 727

NZPA-AP Renton After a run lasting more than two decades, it is the end of the production line for the Boeing 727, the compact aircraft that its manufacturers say became the most popular commercial airliner in the world. Thousands of Boeing Company workers paused yesterday to honour the plane as the last Boeing 727 rolled off the assembly line. The first of the 1832 Boe-

ing 727 s took to the air on February 9, 1963. Over the next 20 years, the sturdy trijet introduced jet flight to the far corners of the world as 548 were sold abroad. The German Lufthansa airline bought 52, followed by Iberia Air Lines of Spain with 37 and All Nippon Airways of Japan with 35. The first Boeing 727 was invited to yesterday’s farewell ceremony, but its owner, United Airlines, said

the old jet was too busy working to take time for a party. The old Number 1 has flown 47,180 hours and been overhauled four times, said James T. Hartigan, president of the American carrier.

The 727 “is probably one of the best-liked airplanes in service, by pilots and passengers alike,” said Mr Lewis Wallick, who was the pilot on the first 727 test flight crew. Mr Wallick was in the cockpit as the final plane, a 727-200 freighter model that is the last of 15 planes bought by an American firm, was rolled out of the hangar. The next most popular airliner, Boeing officials say, has been the McDonnell Douglas DC9, with 1200 orders.