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It was just 67 years ago today, July 15, 1954, when Boeing’s 367-80, known as the Dash 80, first took off into the skies. Now, many of you may not be familiar with the number for Boeing, but perhaps you’ve heard of the Boeing 707, made famous through songs, movies, and the millions of people who can say they’ve flown on one. Yes, today aviation history was made when the military version of one of the most famous civilian airliners flew for the first time.
The Dash 80 was not the first jet, nor jet liner, but it was the first mass produced and accepted by many airliners. Taking off from Boeing’s field in Seattle, the plane, “flew like a bird, only faster”, according to pilot Alvin “Tex” Johnson. However, though no 707 flies today, there are many in museums and owned privately. In the end, the 707 set off what is called the Jet Age, something we still live in today, and it started, 67 years ago, today.
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