Boeing 720
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeMedium range narrowbody airliner
- Powerplants720B - Four 75.6kN (17,000lb) Pratt & Whitney JT3D1 turbofans or four 80kN (18,000lb) JT3D3s.
- Performance720B - Max speed 1009km/h (545kt), max cruising speed 983km/h (530kt), economical cruising speed 896km/h (484kt). Range with maximum payload and no reserves 6687km (3610nm), range with max fuel 8428km (4550nm).
- Weights720B - Operating empty 51,203kg (112,883lb), max takeoff 106,140kg (234,000lb).
- DimentionsWing span 39.88m (130ft 10in), length 41.68m (136ft 9in), height 12.66m (41ft 7in). Wing area 234.2m2 (2521sq ft).
- CapacityFlightcrew of three comprising two pilots and a flight engineer. Typical seating for 112 in two classes, max seating for 149, later approved (for Eastern Air Lines) for 165.
- ProductionBetween 1959 and 1969 Boeing built 65 720s and 89 720Bs (many 720s were converted to 720Bs). One in commercial service in Africa, three others used as corporate transports.
The 720 is a lighter, medium reach variation of the 707, provided for it model number to show noteworthy building progressions.
Presented in 1959, the 720 (initially assigned 707-020) held the same fundamental structure as the 707-120, yet was 2.54m (8ft 4in) shorter, which lessened seating to 112 (38 + 74) in a commonplace two class game plan. Different progressions were made to the wing which presented full compass heading edge folds, while a glove between the internal motors and the fuselage expanded wing breadth and wing region and diminished the wing's thickness/harmony proportion. The progressions to the wing made it all the more aeromechanically effective, allowing higher cruising speeds and brought down least speeds (which helped field execution).
Like the early 707s the initial 720s had Jt3c turbojets, albeit less influential models needing water infusion due to the 720's lighter weight. Contrasted and the 707-120 the 720 likewise had diminished fuel limit and a lower max takeoff weight. Anyhow numerous parts were tradable between the 720 and 707, while inside the lodge the 720 and 707 had the same traveler inner part and flightdeck.
The starting 720 (headed for dispatch client United) first flew on November 23 1959. Accreditation was granted on June 30 1960, and passage into administration with United Airlines was on July 5 that year.
The accessibility of the significantly more fuel effective Pratt & Whitney Jt3d turbofan brought about the 720b, which was fueled by either Jt3d1s or 3s. To start with flight of the 720b was on October 6 1960, with confirmation granted on March 3 1961. The 720b likewise offered a higher most extreme zero fuel weight (essentially boosting payload/extent) and an expanded max takeoff weight because of the heavier turbofan motors.
Major 720 administrators included American Airlines (various its 720s were changed over to 720bs with turbofan motors), United, Continental, Eastern, Northwest Orient and Western, while administrators outside the US included Lufthansa and Avianca.
Today (early 2002) three 720s are accepted to be being used as corporate transports, and two are utilized by Pratt & Whitney as motor testbeds.
Pictures of Boeing 720
