Many Ex-Brats Moved
Successfully into Civil Aviation.
Boeing 737.
[Boeing 737 Series 200 (1969): Sketch by Joe Bosher.]
Many Ex Halton Apprentices on leaving the RAF found really good jobs with airlines throughout the world. The Boeing 737 is one of the many airliners ex brats worked with at all levels.
Introduction to the
Boeing 737.
In 1967, the smaller, short-range 737 twinjet was the logical airplane to complement the 707 and the 727. There was increasing demand for transports in its category, but the 737 faced heavy competition from the Douglas DC-9 and the British Aircraft Corp. BAC-111.
At first, the 737 was called the "square" airplane because it was as long as it was wide. The new technology made the position of flight engineer redundant; the 737's two-person flight deck became standard among air carriers.
By 1987, the 737 was the most-ordered plane in commercial history. In January 1991, 2,887 737s were on order and Models 737, 300, 400 and 500 were in production. By 1993, customers had ordered 3,100 737s, and the company was developing the Next-Generation 737s, 600, 700, 800 and 900. The Next-Generation 737 models build on the strengths that made the 737 the world's most successful commercial airliner, while incorporating improvements designed for the 21st century.
I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has any stories about this aircraft; humorous, technical, or historical. Please use the Feedback Form to contact me briefly, in the first instance.
Joe Bosher (74th).