From: "David MR" <damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 7:11 PM
<snip>
> SO, why the 720? William "Pat" Patterson, United's president, was
> impressed
> with the 707's performance but he felt the aircraft was too narrow.
> Boeing
> had told him the aircraft could be made longer but not wider. However, it
> was later determined the 707 could be widen. Patterson liked the 717 but
> was concerned his airline's image might suffer after going back to Boeing
> after ordering the DC-8.
<snip>
I didn't know the 720 was wider than the 707. I know both were a little
wider than the KC135.
It has been claimed that at one point Patterson said United would never buy
an airplane whose designation ended with the number 7.
I don't know just why he had it in for Boeing. United's first fast plane
was the Boeing 247D, but I think this was when Boeing had an ownership
interest in United.
Last night in bed I was suddenly struck with the realization that the
initial letter of 8 when spelled out was E. Today I see they made it
official. ("efficiency"????)
Gerry
http://www.pbase.com/gfoley9999/
http://foley.ultinet.net/~gerry/aerial/aerial.html
http://home.columbus.rr.com/gfoley
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/pollock/263/egypt/egypt.html