7E7 now known as the B787

[Jetavia]

See http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q1/nr_050128g.html

[BEagle]

"....in many Asian cultures the number 8 represents good luck and prosperity..."

As in Airbus A380?

Can't help thinking that, whereas "Seven ee seven" has some appeal for its novelty, "Seven Eight Seven" doesn't.

Are they just trying too hard at Boeing?

[Jetavia]

The 8´s in the 380 and 787 are both influenced by the "....in many Asian cultures the number 8 represents good luck and prosperity..." it´s a big upcoming market so why not try to make the asians happy.

When you think of it, boeing only had the 8 and 9 to choose from, since the last newly designed aircraft was the 777 the 787 designation would be the obvious choice.

[lead zeppelin]

Well, only one more new type and then what? Start in the 800's with the Boeing 808? That'll get more Asian sales!

[SecurID]

The B888 will do really well then! Although the accolade for that model designator has already been taken by Ducati!

Aaaahhh, sheer beauty!

http://www.ducati.net/arch/sp4/sp4.jpg

[West Coast]

"Are they just trying too hard at Boeing"

Are you spending too much time at the computer?

[Buster Hyman]

the Boeing 808
I assume that Mazda won't mind!;)

[Flightluuvr]

7E7 had a nice ring to it. 787 sounds like :yuk: and its one of the smallest planes they make so giving it the highest number just seems wrong IMO.

and it reminds me of that joke "why was 6 so afraid? because 7 ate 9." :yuk:

[brakedwell]

Seven Eighty Seven is easier to say than Seven Seventy Seven!

[surely not]

Perhaps Boeing are going to patent the number 8 next to scupper the opposition!! :yuk:

[Thunderball 2]

"Since the naming of the initial 707, all Boeing commercial jets have been named in succession based on the 7-7 formula: 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 up to the latest Boeing commercial jet transport, the 787".
Boeing Press Release, 28th January 2005


The 720 fitted really neatly into that formula, didn't it?

Nothing like re-writing history to make everything seem logical and well thought-through. ;)

[BEagle]

No, Westy. I just think that the press release from Boeing lacked much substance. Marketing luvvy speak in the main.

As their 7E7 plastic plane was supposed to be something new and revolutionary (and well it might be), the name merited a new-style ring to it.

Whereas 787 just sounds like something rather run of the mill. Like 717 - what a daft idea that was. Everyone still thinks it's a DC9. In any case, it was a recycled designation because the KC-135 was originally termed the 717. Which is ironic because the current 717 is just a recycled DC9. Which was later known as the MD80 after the 'DC' designation became unmarketable following the various disasters which befell the DC-10.

Can't see many people talking about 'Dreamliners'. But Sonicruisers or even 7E7s - certainly.

[JEP]

So how will they name the aircraft after B 797 ??

[one ball]

"how will they name the aircraft after B 797"

You really think civilisation as we know it will last long enough for you to worry about that??????? :confused:

It's all going downhill starting with Iraq, then Iran............... nukes......

[LateLandingClearance]

So how will they name the aircraft after B 797 ??
Ahh, the mythical beast lurking in the back of every Boeing designer's brain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the 7-10-7 :\

[coopervane]

The Convair 880 din't bring much prosperity to them!

In reply to what may come after the 797? Well obviously the 7107!!!!

Coop and 8 ball Bear

[Flightluuvr]

Thunderball,

actually the 717 does not fit the sequence since it became a boeing after the 777 was already out.

[keel beam]

In reply to what may come after the 797? Well obviously the 7107!!!!

It is more likely to be the 1707. After all their supersonic study was the 2707.

Now that begs the question - as the plane no. designation rises will the speed?

[pprecious]

The Boeing 7A7 perhaps, bearing mind that the term 7E7 has already been used.

That should free up another 5 designations...

I'll get me coat.....

[ElectroVlasic]

Ah, another "numerology" thread. I'm always bemused at the joy or the consternation people get out of numbers.

As for trademarking numbers, that's not allowed in the US at least and maybe elsewhere too. Intel tried to trademark 586, after it was mad at AMD for selling a 486 part, but it was not allowed. Thus Intel gave a bazillion dollars to some branding consultant who came up with "Pentium". It seems to me that this was the point where the whole mania for branding really took off.

[West Coast]

"Everyone still thinks it's a DC9"

If the term "everyone" encompasses non pilots then yes...

[Caslance]

So: it looks like a DC9; it was designed by McDonnell-Douglas as a DC9-30 for the 21st century; it was built at Long Beach on the same production line as the DC9/MD80/MD90; and it's not a DC9 - it's a Boeing.

Amazing..... :ooh: