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Old Oct 26, 2004 | 4:52 pm
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Gardyloo
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Originally Posted by anabolism
Or maybe an explanation for the third digit in the Bxxx series? E.g., the 757 is smaller than the 747. And why are the first and third digits always the same? Similar questions for Airbus planes.
It was their order of development and release. 707 came first (marketing-inspired name) then 727, 737, 747...777. The 717 came last, ironically, because the suits in Chicago (now) couldn't bear to keep an MD- designated plane (MD-80 aka DC-9) so they renamed it the 717. Sadly, it didn't hit the hot spot with the customers even so. Who woulda thunk? So now it's the 7E7 which is about as inspired a name as the A300-blah blah. Super Viscount. Stratoliner. Constellation. Comet. Now those were airplane names. Dreamliner? Oh please. How about the Stone Cypher? Or does that just refer to the profit margin?
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