View Full Version : Boeing "7"s, Airbus "3"s. Why?
Agaricus bisporus
5th Dec 2005, 20:09
Presumably there is a reason why Boeing's recent products are all named as a number beginning and ending in 7, and Airbus does similar with a prefix of 3.
Anyone know the how and why?
PAXboy
6th Dec 2005, 01:16
The Boeing number series is very well documented, a search of the archives here and on Boeing shoould do that and I believe that Airbus have a web site too.
barit1
6th Dec 2005, 18:48
about 20 yrs ago in AW&ST letters there was an early incarnation of pprune, in which some astute writer noted that you could tell from a Boeing's designation how many engines it had i.e. 747 has four, 737 has three, a 727 has two...(I am not making this up!)
Next week another writer inquired how many engines a 707 should have.
:}
LowNSlow
7th Dec 2005, 03:11
Strange how the 727 was referred to as a three holer then :ok:
Also lucky that they hadn't built the 757,767 and 777 then!!!
Golf Charlie Charlie
7th Dec 2005, 12:45
There are a lot of theories about where the '7' comes from for the Boeing airliners, and I am sure this has been discussed before here.
As for the '3' in the Airbus series, this is easier. The original A300 was conceived as a 300-seater, though most versions flew fewer than 300.
The A300B10 shorter version of the A300 was later designated the A310. Then a series was born !
Onan the Clumsy
7th Dec 2005, 15:18
What about Volvos?
Why is it a Volvo 245?
Farmer 1
7th Dec 2005, 15:22
Dunno, but I know why a GT40.
That's how high it is.
(Hope this helps.)
PeterX60
7th Dec 2005, 16:55
What about Volvos?
Why is it a Volvo 245?
Easy one. Model 2 (since they started the number system) 4 cylinders 5 doors.
But why the V40??[
Agaricus bisporus
8th Dec 2005, 19:11
Thanks for the helpful input on Volvos guys, very useful and informative I'm sure...
The question I asked was about Boeings though, machines several orders up the food-chain from nasty boring Swedish cars.
I have searched the search engines and search facility here and come up with nothing, so please, if you have a lead, please be kind enough to pass on some real info, rather than smug suggestions about where I might look once again in vain!
cringe
8th Dec 2005, 20:01
Boeing and number 7 (http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/q0134.shtml)
Agaricus bisporus
9th Dec 2005, 12:35
Cringe, Bingo!
Thanks very much.