Originally Posted by
tornadoken
We have been here before - JT9D/747, early days.
Yes, there were some airframes parked up, without engines. But it was for a couple of months, not multiple years. The 747 was never grounded, and, despite the JT9D issues, Boeing delivered a large number of 747s in 1970-71 (in fact way more than 787s have actually been handed over since deliveries started - 170 frames within the first two years), and got the cash for them. They had also managed to sell the early 747s into a sellers market at pretty much full list price, compared to the minimalist pricing of the early 787s.