Boeing 707

Boeing 707 C

Boeing 707 (1960)

The 707 was the Seattle-based Boeing Company’s first jetliner, and SAA took delivery of a total 10 aircraft from 1960 to 1969. A virtually brand-new 707-344C was involved in what was until then the worst air disaster involving an SAA aircraft when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Windhoek airport in April 1968.

Flight time to London 13 hours

Normal passenger load: 139 on international flights, 180 on internal flights.

ZS-CKE DURBAN

ZS-EUW PRETORIA

 707-344A ZS-CKC/SAA, CKD/SAB, CKE

707-344B ZS-DYL/SAD, EKV/SAE,

707-344C ZS-EUW, EUX/SAF, SAG, SAH, SAI

ZS-SAC had been reserved for CKE, SAG was ordered as FKT and SAH as FKG

With the introduction of the B747 on the international routes the B707 was relegated to internal flights. ZS-SAH became a dedicated freighter version.

Modelling

The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.

A great centre piece of any SAA model display would be one of the two classic long-range 4-engined jet aircraft that they operated in the largest scale available. Fortunately Heller has a 1/72^nd scale kit of the Boeing 707 in their range and this could be used as the anchor piece of an impressive display.

For the more space conscious (and cost) the following 1/144^th scale models exist:

Minicraft 1/144 B707-351B

Airfix early B707-420

Frog also had a 1/144^th scale B707 in their range, later released under the Novo label with the demise of Frog in the late 1980’s.

Revell B707-307C (listed as being 1/144^th scale.)

Colours

Scheme one

The B707’s introduced new colours to SAA. They were the first aircraft that had the orange tail with the Swoosh and Flying Springbok on the tail. The position of the Flying Springbok was in the high position.

Scheme two

After 1968 the airline titles were changed to a non-italicised style. The flag also changed to plain non fluttering version. The aircraft type name no longer appears on the vertical tail surfaces. 

Scheme three

The Flying Springbok now appears in the hook of the Swoosh. The dark blue cheat line now sweeps down over the nose with a white band and orange pin stripe below the cheat line. The white band also sweeps down the nose. A Flying Springbok replaces the national flag that appeared in front of the aircraft name and they style of the airlines name changes and is moved to a more forward position on the fuselage. 

Decals

144 South African Airways - Boeing 707-344B/C