Aviation: Boeing's New Version

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As the world's leading builder of commercial jet aircraft, the Boeing Co. rarely makes a mistake in its designs. When Boeing does, it's boing!

Boeing is competing with Lockheed, the world's leading builder of military jet aircraft, for the Government contract to build a U.S. supersonic trans port. Last year, facing a September 1966 deadline for submitting plans to the Government, Boeing discovered that its SST involved some inferior engineering.

The wing surface was not broad enough; the four jet engines were set too far for ward, thereby creating exhausts that swept over the tail structure and would shorten its life span; the fuselage needed to be longer to increase passenger capacity. Working against the deadline, Boeing engineers went back to the drafting board. Last week the result of their work was publicly shown: a redesigned $2,000,000 plywood, steel and aluminum mock-up of the 1,850-m.p.h. SST. Boeing's SST, to say the least, is differ ent. Now 306 ft. long, or twice the length of a present-day 707, it will carry up to 350 passengers, shoot them as swiftly as an arrow from continent to continent. The bigger plane also means more fuel capacity and greater range. The delta wing sweeps back 30° for a 186-m.p.h. takeoff, folds to 42° for subsonic flight, and comes within kissing distance of the fuselage at a projectile-like 72° angle for supersonic flight. The front of the plane also hinges: the Boeing SST drops its nose for better visibility on or near the ground.

Boeing so far has optional orders from 25 airlines for 108 such SSTs, each of which will likely cost $35 million or more. It hopes to deliver the first commercial models in the middle of the next decade. But delivery dates depend on the evaluations of a team of Government and industry experts, who are now weighing the Boeing and Lockheed proposals. With a decision deadline set for Jan. 1, 1967, the ultimate choice will be made by the President of the U.S. The winner will build the airplane that will represent the U.S. in the international SST rivalry. Until then, Boeing's SST—like Lockheed's which was displayed to the press last June—will be no more than a grounded mockup.