Boeing's Baby Queen: The High-Speed 747SP That Failed to Soar
Boeing's 747SP, also known as the Baby Queen, was designed to be a high-speed, intercontinental jet. The plane made its first flight in March 1967 and entered service with Pan Am in February 1970.
The 747SP was a derivative of the 747-100, but it had a shorter fuselage and was powered by four General Electric CF6 engines. This reduced the weight of the aircraft and allowed it to fly faster and more efficiently.
According to Boeing, the 747SP could reach speeds of up to Mach 0.855 (around 645 mph) and had a range of over 7,200 miles. The plane was designed for long-haul flights and was initially marketed as a high-speed alternative to the DC-10.
The Baby Queen played an important role in Boeing's strategy at the time, allowing them to compete with rival aircraft manufacturers such as Douglas. However, despite its initial success, the 747SP ultimately failed to meet sales targets and production ceased in January 1986.