The “Baby Boeing” 737 Turns the Big Five-O with a Birthday Party

Museum of Flight's Boeing 737 prototype parked next to a 787 Dreamliner in the Museum's Aviation Pavilion. Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight.
Aircorps Art Dec 2019

Boeing 777X (modern advanced plane)
Boeing 777X (modern advanced plane)

Museum of Flight's Boeing 737 prototype parked next to a 787 Dreamliner in the Museum's Aviation Pavilion. Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight.
Museum of Flight’s Boeing 737 prototype parked next to a 787 Dreamliner in the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion. Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight.

On April 9, the Museum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Boeing 737’s first flight. A panel presentation at noon will include maiden flight pilot Brien Wygle, and original 737 engineers Bob Bogash and Peter Morton. Boeing Company Historian Mike Lombardi will moderate. The Boeing Company will provide a new 737 MAX for viewing in the parking lot, with the possibility of a demonstration flight at 1:15 p.m., which is the exact time the prototype first took off in 1967.
A reception in the Aviation Pavilion, next to the prototype, follows from 2-4 p.m. Guests include the panelists and others who participated in the colorful history of the world’s most successful airliner. Festivities include a toast and birthday cake. A giant birthday card will be displayed, which visitors will be encouraged to sign. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own cards with stories of their own experiences.
The historic jetliner prototype in the Museum’s collection was nicknamed the Baby Boeing. It was a Boeing test aircraft until 1973, when it was sold to NASA and used as a “flying laboratory” until 1997, when it was retired to the Museum’s care. After six years in storage and restored under Crew Chief Bob Bogash’s loving care, Baby Boeing made a final flight home to Boeing Field on Sept. 21, 2003.

For additional information about the 737 prototype, see restoration Crew Chief Bob Bogash’s website: www.rbogash.com/737early

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