In 100 years of building commercial and military aircraft, Boeing has created some of the most well-known and important machines in the sky. The company was founded in 1916 by William Boeing in Washington state. It grew out of a logging business, and in 2001, Boeing moved its headquarters to Chicago. To mark Boeing’s 100th anniversary, the Tribune takes a look at 12 of the company’s notable planes.
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First built
The B&W Model 1
Boeing’s first plane, completed in 1916, was made of wood, linen and wire and named after its designers, William Boeing and U.S. Navy Lt. Conrad Westervelt.
Massive size
747-8
With a wingspan of over 224 feet, a height of over 63 feet and a length of over 250 feet, the 747 can hold more than 400 passengers.
Longest serving
737
The 737 was introduced in 1967 — a 49-year run so far.
High flying
787 Dreamliner
The 787 Dreamliner flies at a typical operating altitude of 43,000 feet, higher than many commercial airliners.
Longest flying
777-200LR
In 2005, a 777 flew from Hong Kong to London nonstop, making it the longest flight by a commercial airline.
Built for speed
747-8
Powered by four GEnx-2B 787 Technology Engines, the 747-8 approaches 650 mph and can travel the length of three soccer fields in 1 second, making it one of the fastest in the 747 line.
Expensive
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777-300ER
One of Boeing’s most expensive airplanes comes in at about $340 million a pop.
Most manufactured
737
As of June 2016, there have been 9,093 produced.
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Significant in World War I
Model C
When the U.S. entered World War I, Boeing built the Model C as training planes for the Navy. It saw limited service in anti-submarine missions on the East Coast. More importantly, it began Boeing’s relationship with the U.S. military.
Significant in World War II
B-17
The B-17 evolved as World War II intensified, gaining more armor and weapons capacity. The aircraft was notorious for being able to sustain damage in battle and stay in the air, earning its nickname, the Flying Fortress.
Significant in the Korean War
F-86
The F-86, made by a firm that Boeing later merged with, became famous for its dominance over Soviet-built MiG-15s in air-to-air combat.
Significant in the Vietnam War
CH-47
The Chinook was first used in combat in 1965 during Vietnam. The “heavy lift” helicopter has been used to transport refugees, armed forces and cargo.
Significant in the Gulf War
F/A-18
Well-known for its use in the Blue Angels, the F/A-18 showed its flexibility during the first Gulf War, shooting down enemy fighters or bombing targets.
Significant recent conflicts
B-52
The B-52 Stratofortress, which first flew in the 1950s, has seen decades of significant combat, from the Vietnam War to recent bombings of Islamic State. The Air Force says its key characteristic is its ability to fly large loads of ordnance great distances without refueling.
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Sources: Boeing, Air Force, Navy
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