Did you see it? Last flight of first Boeing 727

Today’s theme seems to be history. Here’s some aviation history, which you might have seen in the sky a few hours ago. In case you didn’t, thanks to Doug Branch for sharing photos of the first Boeing 727’s last flight, as it ended this morning at nearby Boeing Field (mentioned in our daily preview). He says it appeared to fly low over Elliott Bay as it came in, so it might have turned some West Seattleites’ heads.

United donated this half-century-old jet to the Museum of Flight 25 years ago – it’s been undergoing restoration so it can join the museum’s collection. Read more about it on the MoF website (which explains it’ll be in the Airpark throughout the summer, then moving to the museum’s new Aviation Pavilion).

Meantime, you can see Doug’s photos directly on Flickr – also shared in the WSB group there, here and here.
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LatteRose March 2, 2016 (3:32 pm)

Thanks for the photos! Neat!

Petert March 2, 2016 (4:07 pm)

Indeed, I saw it as I was coming eastbound over the WS bridge. It was flying low, such that I though it was possibly in trouble. It was also being tracked by a photo plane, which peeled off over the Duwamish. Saw the United colors, and was wondering what the heck ! Thanks for the explanation !

newnative March 2, 2016 (4:23 pm)

I wish I had seen this!!

nachobeaver March 2, 2016 (5:45 pm)

Was D.B Cooper in it by chance??😜

Trickycoolj March 2, 2016 (6:01 pm)

I scheduled the wrong conference room for my workshop this morning. Should have picked the one with Windows… Darn!

JayDee March 2, 2016 (9:29 pm)

I was worried that maybe it wouldn’t arrive…Kudos to the volunteers that can still build them like Boeing. And I am glad it made it “home” to the museum.

captainDave March 2, 2016 (9:46 pm)

Nice! Brings back memories when air travel was an adventure rather than a bus ride. The 727 was my favorite aircraft–not for the comfort, but rather the loud window-rattling turbojet engines that really made you feel like you were going somewhere.

Casey Blake March 2, 2016 (9:46 pm)

My dad , Jim Blake, was a Boeing Flightline Mechanic. As a kid, I remember him going to 727 training, coming home with huge binders of schematics. I bet he worked on this plane!

steve March 2, 2016 (10:32 pm)

THE most beautiful Boeing plane. My favorite. What cool design. Lift like no other. I saw it come in at Boeing field. Hundreds were there to greet her. Thanks Boeing!

ClayJustSayin March 3, 2016 (11:29 am)

I’ve flown on these a bunch of times and always loved the ride. You sit toward the back by a window. During takeoff and landing you can watch the flaps going in and out and see a couple of actuating screws turning as various wing parts change position. What fun, and flying too!

The 727 is the coolest looking Boeing plane of all. Some airlines still fly them today.

emcat8 March 3, 2016 (12:29 pm)

Aw, man, I wish I’d seen this. This was always my favorite plane, a perfect midcentury streamlined design, and I love that it still has the old United livery.