Number 1 Boeing 727 N7001U Restoration

Restoration crew chief Bob Bogash takes us on a tour of the prototype Boeing 727.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• number
• 727
• prototype
• n7001u
• united
• airlines
• bob
• bogash
• seattle
• boeing
• paul
• brennan

[NegdoshaManido]

The passengers included the original flight test team, and United employees, including myself, my wife, and my 1 year old son! The aircraft was absolutely resplendent in her freshly applied delivery-era paint, and polished aluminum. I would still be flying her today, if I could! It sure is good to see that she isn't just sitting up in Everett, going to seed. Someday, I'll take my grandkids to the Museum of flight and show them their grandpa's initials in the Flight Engineer's panel !

[airsidetv]

Excellent, I filmed and produced this video for people like you, great comments, thanks.

[sparkie951]

WOW, Cold Chills on that one. As an Aircraft Mechanic with time working on this A/C, I find it quite rewarding to see number 1 coming back to life. If it is flown to its new home, I hope someone will post a video of it and continue documenting its history.

Job Well Done to the entire crew working on this project.

[airsidetv]

As above

[LoadedSaiga]

I work on these old girls everyday (FedEx and Capital Cargo 200's). As a matter of fact I just finished 727 gen fam training today (Our instructor was 81 years old). Every 2 years these companies say they're going to send them to the desert and every 2 years they come back to our MRO for C-checks. They just won't die. Gotta love 'em...Thanks for the vid

[Crosshead1]

My first flight in a jet airliner was in a 727, Brisbane to Sydney with Ansett ANA. Such a revelation after a regular diet of Electras and Viscounts. Always loved boarding and disembarking from the rear centre door. Thanks for posting.

[Skybolter]

My dad loves that airliner, so i do.

[Skybolter]

My dad lovs that airliner, so i do.

[nycworldsfair]

BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT ADN IT AMAZING ITSELF LASTED THAT LONG , I THINK ITS THANKS TO THE MATERIAL ITS BUILT , ALUMINIUM .KOOL.....

[csampang1]

@Oldbmwr100rs A few years ago Champion Air tried doing the all-business class thing with their 727 fleet, but fuel prices basically crippled that carrier (unsurprising, sadly). A couple of FedEx 727s have been making visits to SFO and OAK lately, albeit usually remaining parked at each place for a while - the one that flew in to Oakland on Saturday is one of the final frames built in 1984!

Some folks still use them as executive craft, i.e. the San Jose Sharks hockey team and Roush Racing.

[Oldbmwr100rs]

@csampang1 Yeah,I figure any still flying would be running around in 3rd world countries now. Speaking with a pilot who had flown then, they were fuel hungry and no longer economical to fly and maintain for major carriers.I think the last ones I saw around were converted to cargo work, they can handle some weight and are pretty good performers in that role. Sad thing is, no matter how significant some machine is, eventually it's age catches up with it.

[csampang1]

@Oldbmwr100rs I'm not sure if the plane near SJC is still there anymore...at least the SFO one is, though I'd love to see that restored to United colors and placed somewhere where people can visit it (SFO has a museum but no exhibits of that size if I'm not mistaken). It's gotten to the point where a 727 visit to SFO is more rare than an Air Force One arrival!

[Oldbmwr100rs]

@csampang1 Yeah, they were removed when it was donated, I think at the time UAL was still using the JT8-D engines,they were still reworking them in the jet shop at the time. They also donated one to San Jose State University, that one's down at SJC near the general aviation area. Shame was that a few students took it apon themselves to make a mess in the plane,and I think UAL took it back from the school.I'm glad to hear it's still around though, I though it's history was really interesting.

[csampang1]

@Oldbmwr100rs N7002U is still at SFO as a training craft, usually parked near the giant United Airlines hangars. The engines have been removed though...