We solely have witnessed the Queen of the skies, one of the most successful models ever produced by Boeing. However, can you guess, a Boeing 747 in a tinier and more of a subtle variant?
The Boeing 747SP ( special performance) is a shortened version of the Boeing 747–100 wide-body aircraft, designed for a longer range.
It was introduced in 1971/1972 to compete against the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar wide-body aircraft.
The 747SP is 47ft ( 14m ) more abbreviated than other 747 variants, with main deck doors being reduced to four on each side and with a 700,000 lb MTOW, it is capable of flying 276 passengers in 3 — class cabin or 2 — class cabin over 10,800 km.
What Made Boeing To Develop The 747SP
The idea was originally formed, when a joint request from Pan Am and Iran Air was made to Boeing, for a 747 alternative capable of carrying a full payload non-stop on its longest route between New York and Tehran.
Until the arrival of 767, Boeing had lacked a mid-sized body to compete against mid-sized wide-body jets.
Moreover, with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and the L -1011 jets in the market, Boeing had to come with a conscious decision to target and make a better version of similar-sized aircraft.
Furthermore, with ultra-long routes appearing in the 1970s, the need for longer range and high cruising speed jets were required.
Thus Boeing could not support producing an all-new design, instead opted to shorten the 747, except with optimization in agility and reach.
On March 5, 1976, Pan Am was the launch customer of the 747SP, Taking the first delivery, ‘CLIPPER FREEDOM’.
Aftermath of the 747SP
Despite holding its technical accomplishments, the 747SP was never sold as to how Boeing had planned.
Besides having reduced seating capacity, Boeing 747SPs heavy wings, high operating cost, and the rising fuel prices in the mid — 1970s to early 1980s put an immense toll on the SPs production.
As of now, only 45 747SP jets were built between 1974 and 1989.
The production line in 1982 was ended but reopened in 1987 to fulfill an order for the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
Current operators of 747SP
As of February 2020, there are 8 Boeing 747SPs in active service, Although most are used for the Government or VIP transport.
Among the 8 747SP, two are being used by the Government of Saudi Arabia, 2 are used as an engine testbed for Pratt & Whitney Canada, One for the Government of Oman, the other 2 for the Las Vegas Sands, and the remaining 1 for NASA/DLR.
In 2016, the last remaining 747SP in commercial service was retired from service after 40 years by Iran Air.
747SP on Display
if you are gaping to visit the 747SP in person, you could visit the ex-South African Airways named “Maluti” which is on inactive display at Rand Airport in South Africa.
Reference
(‘Boeing 747SP’, 4th July, 2020)
Do you think Boeing should bring back the Boeing 747SP?
