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Jumbo Jet
The 747 was the result of the work of some 50,000 Boeing people. Called “the Incredibles,” these were the construction workers, mechanics, engineers, secretaries and administrators who made aviation history by building the Boeing 747 — the largest civilian airplane in the world — in roughly 16 months during the late 1960s.
First flight occurred on Feb. 9, 1969, followed by an extensive test program and it became a mainstay of the world’s international airlines.
The 747 was the first airplane called a “Jumbo Jet” as the first wide-body airliner.
The 747 triggered a revolution in air travel and represents a significant milestone in the evolution of aviation design.
The first 747 ever built, Boeing 747 N1352B (also known as RA001), not only served for many years as a company testbed for technology development and new engine programs for other Boeing commercial jets, but was also modified to a tanker configuration, as the photo in this post shows.
Boeing 747 Vs DC-10 Vs L-1011
But why does the US Air Force (USAF) not use 747s as tankers?
Richard Klaus, former USAF pilot, explains on Quora;
‘While stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma Washington, we did part of the “Fly-off” for the tanker competition. For a couple weeks we had a 747, a DC-10, and a L-1011 on base. Since they were going to be dual purpose, serving as both tanker and heavy lift freighter, loading and turbulence in the wake of the planes were tested out of McChord. At the end of the test we were all convinced that we were getting 747 tankers. The 747 by a great margin was the better plane.
‘This is what could have been. The big problem, or as we heard it at the time, was that the 747 was built in the wrong state. Congress got involved and Douglas in California got the contract with the DC-10, known by the Air Force designation KC-10.
KC-10
‘The KC-10 was slower to load with cargo. Could not “Nose Load” oversize items. Had a shorter range with less fuel offload capability. But it was built in California, where the more powerful Congressman lived.’
Klaus concludes;
‘The one in the photo is the 747 prototype. The fuel boom was not fully functional. The Iranian KC-747 tanker is a third-party conversion. Was reported destroyed in June 2025 in an Israeli Air Force raid.’
N1352B “City of Everett” was later re-registered as N7470, before being retired to “The Museum of Flight” in Seattle.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
