Both were developed around the same time, in the middle 1950's and both sought to dominate early jet airliner services.
Boeing sold a lot of 707s of various models, and they served all over the world. Military versions included the KC-135 tanker, still in service a half century after it first was delivered.
The elegant DC-8 arrived with curtains in the windows and a layout reminiscent of the magnificent DC-7 prop airliners that preceded it. Beautiful, comfortable, many airlines immediately put them in service as their first jets. Later McDonnell-Douglas stretched them and sold them as the Super DC-8, which became an early predecessor of the jumbo jets. Many in all versions remain in freight service today along with a few still in passenger service.
Some of us have traveled long distances in both types. Which was the better airliner? Did the 707 deserve to dominate the industry? Did the DC-8 deserve to be manufactured in greater numbers?
Okay, frequent flyers. Which?
2007-12-03
20:15:04
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7 answers
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asked by
Warren D
7
in
Aircraft