United called its 720's 720's. The 707-320 is the intercontinental version of the 707. The -420 was also an intercontinental version, only it was powered by Rolls Royce engines. Here's why it was called the "720," from volume 7 of the "Great Airliners Series" books called, appropriately enough, "Boeing 720." Pat Patterson, United's president at the time, wanted the model number changed. Originally, it was to be the 707-020 but he didn't want the appearance of having second thoughts on his large DC-8 order. Boeing was going to change it to 717 but "Seven One Seven" and "Seven Seventeen" didn't appeal to Patterson. Boeing decided to call it the 720. This was acceptable to Patterson. Only three airlines actually called the 720 a 707. American called the 720 "707 Jet Flagship" and the 720B "707 Astrojets." TWA called it the "SuperJet" and did not mention the model number. Aer Lingus used just "Boeing" titles without specifying the type. David R home.comcast.net/~damiross/books.html www.sequoians.com -----Original Message----- From: Gerard M Foley [mailto:gfoley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 17:42 To: The Airline List; damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: SFGate: ATA Airlines to Expand Service ----- Original Message ----- From: "David MR" <damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 5:03 PM Subject: Re: SFGate: ATA Airlines to Expand Service >I think it was actually a 720. I know - American Airlines (and >possibly some other airlines) called its 720s 707s but that don't make >it right! > David R and United calling 707's 720's did make that right? (8^)) Just to show my ignorance I'll ask what was a 707-320? A 720 by another name? Gerry http://www.pbase.com/gfoley9999/ http://www.wilowud.net/ http://home.columbus.rr.com/gfoley http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/pollock/263/egypt/egypt.html