Boeing 747 / America West

Boeing 747 America West airplane model. Far bigger than anything before it, the 747 slashed operating costs per seat and thus cut the cost of long-haul international airline travel.

Boeing conceived the 747 in the mid 1960s following its failure to secure a US Air Force contract for an ultra large strategic transport (which resulted in the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy), when it identified a market for a high capacity 'jumbo jet'. Boeing was able to draw upon design experience with the USAF transport and launched the new airliner on July 25 1966. First flight occurred on February 9 1969, certification was awarded on December 30 that year.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/144. Wingspan 16 inches, Length 19 inches.