Pratt & Whitney's Boeing 720 «Pinocchio» took off for his last flight. TODAY! This is the 154th Boeing 720 and it is thelast airworthy Boeing 720 in the world. Now has reached a new level by being lendt to the Royal Canadian Air Force national museum in Trenton, Ontario. The plane has retired 2 years ago from operation as you can read in the article posted, but today was the last time the test-bed took off to the skies for a last flight from Saint-Hubert (CYHU) to Trenton (CYTR). LINK TO THE… (flightaware.com) More...
Northwest Airlines had 17 of the 720B's that had the JT3D-7 engines (19,000 thrust). These engines made the aircraft overpowerd but were used for fleet commonality because the 707-320B also had these. From a pilot standpoint one had to start reducing power 2000 feet before level off or you would blow right through your assigned altitude. An Air Force friend of mine who flew F102's said this bird could outperform his fighter. I once made a high performance climb, (very light and cold) and made it to 28,000 in a little over 30 NM. The VSI (6000 feet type) would not come off the climb peg until one was above 20,000 feet normally.
I also was associated with Pratt for a short time and saw the bird they had up close. Funny looking beast but flew well...
it was a sad day 9 years ago when Delta flew the last Boeing-727 into Birmingham Al. It is sad to see them leave. They were a great airplane to work and to fly on.
The only B 720's which flew in Australia belonged to the R A A F, so the public didn't get to see them. I looked up the images of the aircraft on Flight Aware Aviation Photos & found out what the aircraft looked like, bit I was a bit confused with the images of B 720 aircraft registered PWC 720, which has what appears to be a turbo-prop unit in the nose. Is this correct, and if so, why was it installed, and was it a regular occurrence, or just a " one off ?"
Thanks Jaime, I've looked at the image you uploaded, but that's not what I am enquiring about. Have a look at PWC 720 on Flight Aware Aviation Photos.There's what appears to be a Turbo-prop engine in the nose of the aircraft & that's the query I have. What was it for & why was it there ? Possible that Alexander's response below is correct.
The main reason to it was to use the aircraft as a test bed for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. If you look closely, in the right side of the cockpit there is a mount for private jet engines.
I will post a picture for you in just seconds and link it.
The "boeing 720" was essentially a niche market "shrink" model of the 707-120. It was designed to be lighter (shorter take-offs & landings) at all costs; among bits chucked was the APU. I'm 99% sure the "Pinocchio" nose is a mod, and only done on one owners aircraft. I can't say the reason for sure, but I'd wager its a combo of extra take-off power and/or the apu thing. Pulling that out of my arse really; just a guess!
I live in Longueuil, I was planning on going some day but I am leaving all the summer to follow my glider instructor course then train air cadets.
But some day I will go spot at YUL. Every occasion I have to go to the airport I spend at least 30 minutes on the last parkin level taking shots of T/O.
You should pln a trip to BROMONT (CZBM) by 30 of june. REDBULL AEROBATIC PILOT going to be thre performing. Something NOT to miss.
The very last flight of a Boeing 720 IN THE WORLD!
Pratt & Whitney's Boeing 720 «Pinocchio» took off for his last flight. TODAY!
This is the 154th Boeing 720 and it is thelast airworthy Boeing 720 in the world. Now has reached a new level by being lent to the Royal Canadian Air Force national museum in Trenton.
The plane had retired 2 years ago from operation use as you can read in the article posted, but today was the last time the test-bed took off to the skies for a last flight from Saint-Hubert (CYHU) to Trenton (CYTR).
