Identifying make/model of AA planes from the outside
Jun 6, 2009, 4:25 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 531
I'll add this about the 737: all newer versions of the 737 (for any airline), the engines don't hang directly below the wings. They are actually hanging slightly forward of the wing. This looks is distinct to any 737-300 and newer model 737s and you can use it to identify a 733 - 738 regardless of airline.
Wiki snipet:
Wiki snipet:
The new 737 Classic series featured CFM56 turbofan engines, which yielded significant gains in fuel economy and a reduction in noise, but also posed an engineering challenge given the low ground clearance of the 737. Boeing and engine supplier CFMI solved the problem by placing the engine ahead of (rather than below) the wing, and by moving engine accessories to the sides (rather than the bottom) of the engine pod, giving the 737 a distinctive non-circular air intake.
Jun 6, 2009, 5:04 pm
#17
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Jun 6, 2009, 11:55 pm
#18
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uhh, any way to tell the diff between a 747-300 and a 747-400 or between a 747-100 and 747-200?
I know most 747-100 have just the three windows in the upper deck but a few do have more windows...
757 is the easiest plane to pick out. It's oversized wing, and it's long slender fueselage.
How would you pick an Airbus A330 apart from a Boeing 767 or 777?
a few planes have dead giveaways...
747 from other models: THE HUMP!
A380: The Upper Deck
DC9/M80/717: T-Tail rear engines
727: three rear engines, t tail
DC-10: two wing engines, one tail engine
MD-11: same as DC-10 but add winglets
L-1011: looks like DC-10 but has 727 style rear engine
A340: 4 Engines
I know most 747-100 have just the three windows in the upper deck but a few do have more windows...
757 is the easiest plane to pick out. It's oversized wing, and it's long slender fueselage.
How would you pick an Airbus A330 apart from a Boeing 767 or 777?
a few planes have dead giveaways...
747 from other models: THE HUMP!
A380: The Upper Deck
DC9/M80/717: T-Tail rear engines
727: three rear engines, t tail
DC-10: two wing engines, one tail engine
MD-11: same as DC-10 but add winglets
L-1011: looks like DC-10 but has 727 style rear engine
A340: 4 Engines
Jun 7, 2009, 1:34 am
#20
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uhh, any way to tell the diff between a 747-300 and a 747-400 or between a 747-100 and 747-200?
I know most 747-100 have just the three windows in the upper deck but a few do have more windows...
757 is the easiest plane to pick out. It's oversized wing, and it's long slender fueselage.
How would you pick an Airbus A330 apart from a Boeing 767 or 777?
a few planes have dead giveaways...
747 from other models: THE HUMP!
A380: The Upper Deck
DC9/M80/717: T-Tail rear engines
727: three rear engines, t tail
DC-10: two wing engines, one tail engine
MD-11: same as DC-10 but add winglets
L-1011: looks like DC-10 but has 727 style rear engine
A340: 4 Engines
I know most 747-100 have just the three windows in the upper deck but a few do have more windows...
757 is the easiest plane to pick out. It's oversized wing, and it's long slender fueselage.
How would you pick an Airbus A330 apart from a Boeing 767 or 777?
a few planes have dead giveaways...
747 from other models: THE HUMP!
A380: The Upper Deck
DC9/M80/717: T-Tail rear engines
727: three rear engines, t tail
DC-10: two wing engines, one tail engine
MD-11: same as DC-10 but add winglets
L-1011: looks like DC-10 but has 727 style rear engine
A340: 4 Engines
Jun 7, 2009, 7:50 am
#21
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I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the "dead giveaway" for IDing the 757, its high ground clearance and long landing gear struts which combined with the small diameter fuselage give it a unique "stork" look.
Jun 7, 2009, 8:44 am
#22
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Jun 7, 2009, 4:49 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PIT/DFW/MEL; AA Exec. Platinum & 4MM, QF WP
Posts: 7,689
Don't think the ridge at the base of the 737-800 tail has been mentioned yet - helps distinguish 737 and 757 (if you can't see the wheels or are at a distance, and especially since more and more of the 757s have been fitted with winglets).
Also, to address a query above, the A300 does have 2 rows (pairs) of wheels on the main gear, but I'd still go by the winglets.
Also, to address a query above, the A300 does have 2 rows (pairs) of wheels on the main gear, but I'd still go by the winglets.
the MD-80 is the easiest since the engines are at the rear and the tail has rear rudder flaps on top of it.
the 757 has them on the fuselage below its unkinked tail fin.
so the narrowbodies are quite clearly distinguished by their tails.
for the widebodies the tails are flathead for 777, cone for 767, and triangular for the A300. the exits and wings also do the trick, as discussed.
Jun 7, 2009, 5:26 pm
#24
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+1. Pilots often call the 737s "guppies" because their proportions resemble that of a small goldfish - small body and large tail. Not only is the kink in the tail a give away ... proporationally, the tail is noticeably larger (applies to all series for the 737).
Jun 7, 2009, 6:42 pm
#26
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This thread has now been added to the Wiki (Planes and Seats) and Sticky (Aircraft Related). 
/Moderator
/Moderator
Jun 7, 2009, 10:19 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 11
How do you know A300 is leaving after this summer? Where will they go?
Jun 7, 2009, 10:55 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
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AA Press
In addition, AMR has decided to retire all 34 of its A300 aircraft by the end of 2009, compared to the previous retirement schedule that extended through 2012.
I can't remember where it was mentioned, but this date was pushed even further forward to August 31 possibly.
Jun 8, 2009, 5:10 am
#29
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> 757 is the easiest plane to pick out. It's oversized wing,
> and it's long slender fueselage
The 757 also sits pretty high off the ground, giving a much cooler looking reflection thanks to AA's mirror paintwork!
> and it's long slender fueselage
The 757 also sits pretty high off the ground, giving a much cooler looking reflection thanks to AA's mirror paintwork!
Jun 8, 2009, 6:29 am
#30
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It seems like a picture with each of these posts would be the most helpful, so that people can see what these descriptions look like.