The
Boeing 707, although not the first jet airliner, was the
right aircraft at the right time and truly opened the era of jet air
travel.
Based on the KC-135, the
707 had a slightly wider fuselage (148 in v. 144 in) and was in
development at the same time as the military tanker.
The first production 707 flew with Pan American in
1958. The last commercial 707 was sold in 1982.
The U.S. Air Force purchased 707s as VIP
Transports designating them the VC-137. Several VC-137s served
as "Air Force One" until replaced by the Boeing
VC-25 (747).
