The beautiful sight of a 707

[Harerton Dourado - HJG]

From the windows of my apartment I can see planes turning base to land at RWY 05 and also passing after taking off from RWY 23 in Goiabeiras airport (SBVT). Common traffic is made up of 737NGs, A319, A320 and F100. There are also the B727F and B767F. I once was surprised to see an Arrow Air DC-10F.

Yesterday I just heard the sound of a plane passing and as I normally do I went to the window to see which plane was there. Well I had the good surprise of seeing a Beta Cargo 707. The only time I saw a 707 here was like ten years ago - a Brazilian Airforce KC137. The 707 is definetely a beautiful aircraft!

When the newer and bigger RWY 01/19 is finally buit I hope we receive more 707 visits here!

BTW, HJG has the Beta Cargo livery available for download.

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Given how scarse those birds are in civil service now, I'd think all my birtdays had come at one too if I only been fortunate enough to observe that old girl going about her business .... more so if I had my tele lens and a load of film. Aviation photo windfalls such as these a few and far between.

BTW, HJG has the Beta Cargo livery available for download.

Some time in the future we must look at trying to do a BETA DC8-63F to compliment our existing B707-320C too

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[piedmont700]

Very nice! I recently had my first encounter with the 707 family. I saw the 367-80 at the Udvar-Hazy center up at KIAD two weeks ago. She was a beautiful old ship

[Gary Carlson - HJG]

Sometimes I take for granted looking at these jets on a daily basis. Then again I tend to see the uglier, dirtier side of them. But they are still cool to me.
Gary

[elliottdobson]

My 707 experiences are limited also - seen G-APFJ at cosford, though sadly i think shes gone now . However i was in the US a few weeks ago, at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth NH i seen the New Hampshire ANG KC-135 (CFM engined ones) doing touch and go practice! this combined with 4 727's (1 in FULL Pan Am livery and 3 still in partial united colours) made me extremely Happy ;D . Then in Portland ME, what did I see coming in on approach but a KC-135 with the old engines! I got out the camera and took this pic



Even though they are military variations there the closest ive ever seen to the real thing in action!

[piedmont700]

The Pan Am 727 was probably the Pan Am Clipper Connection. It's owned by Boston-Maine Airlines and still operates as Pan Am. They're not dead yet!

[elliottdobson]

Yes I knew that! They operate out of there though according to the guy in the terminal they only use "puddle jumpers" (JS-31's). Still nice to see some 727's:

[piedmont700]

They're not really "Pan" anything anymore... *sigh* Juan Trippe must be rolling in his grave.