Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet First flight 1969 COBI 26609 - Boeing 1:144

You know that:

• Boeing was founded in 1916 by Wilhelm Böing, an American aviation pioneer with German roots, who later changed his name to William Edward Boeing.
• W. Boeing was first involved in the lumber business as owner of the Greenwood Timber Company when, during his business travels in 1909, he saw a flying machine in Seattle for the first time in his life.
• The young businessman immediately developed a passion for flying and spent the following weeks learning to fly. Shortly thereafter, W. Boeing damaged a plane he had been entrusted with, and when he learned how much it would cost and how long it would take to repair, he declared, "I'm going to build my own plane. Better, faster and cheaper." Thus began the story of the Boeing success story. 
• The 747 was the world's first wide-body aircraft. Its silhouette, with its raised deck in front, made it an aviation legend.
• Just as Concorde changed the world of flying, the Boeing 747 changed the public's view of modern travel. The large number of passenger seats, the long range without stopovers and the economical operation for the time of its creation made flying accessible to the general public.
• The first flight commemorated by this kit took place on 9 February 1969.
• The Boeing Company originally planned to produce about 400 units before it became obsolete. But sales success changed all plans. 
• The 747 remained in production until 2022 and a total of 1,574 aircraft were produced in various versions.
• To produce such a large machine, Boeing had to build a new assembly hall of gigantic proportions. There are even several restaurants and cafés inside. The final assembly hall is where the weather is created. Condensed vapour rises to the ceiling of the hall and when it exceeds a certain limit, the haze descends to the ground in the form of water droplets.
• Unfortunately, accidents did not escape the legendary machine. In more than 54 years of operation, 60 aircraft have been destroyed in accidents from various causes and many people have died. Despite all this, flying is one of the safest modes of transport and the Boeing 747 will always remain an important milestone in aviation history.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: wingspan 59.6 m, length 70.6 m, height 19.3 m
• empty weight 162 390 kg
• maximum take-off weight 333 390 kg
• power unit 4 x General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engine with 282 kN thrust
• cruising speed 907 km/h
• maximum flight level 13 747 m
• range 8 560 km
• number of passengers 366
• fuel tank capacity 183 380 l
• fuel consumption 4 l/s
• crew 3
• required runway length 3 190 m

Elton John about Boeingu 747:

"This plane allows me to travel all over the world and perform everywhere that was previously unimaginable. My music helps spread understanding around the world. It's like sailing a boat through the sky,