L.D. wrote:
Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired wrote:

L.D. wrote:

May be off topic because Boeings are not homebuilt.

I've heard all Boeing aircraft had a 7 in their model #, 707, 747,
PT-17, etc. except the B-52 and then even 5+2=7. Is this true ot not.
I know the KC135 doesn't have a 7 but it is a 707. Would that make
the 7 in model #'s true?

Saw a special tonight about the B-52 and it made me start wondering
again.
L.D.



KC-135 is not a 707. Its fuselage is on the order of 3 feet narrower.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired



OK guys, I figured what I had heard about the 7's was a bunch of houie
but I was really surprised to find out about the KC 135. I really
thought it was the same as a 707.
L.D.

The prototype, -80, was shown to the airlines who wanted it wide
enough for another seat. It turned out to be a wise decision. The AWACS
uses 707 airframes. I used to work on KC-135s and was surprised how much
difference the extra 3 feet made when I got the nickle tour of the AWACS
25 years ago. AWACS didn't seem like a military aircraft to me, it was
too clean and too well lit inside.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired