Boeing "7"s, Airbus "3"s. Why?
 

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?

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.

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.

:}

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!!!

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 !

What about Volvos?

Why is it a Volvo 245?

Dunno, but I know why a GT40.

That's how high it is.

(Hope this helps.)

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??[

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, Bingo!

Thanks very much.