Historic 747 Prototype Getting Makeover

Exterior painting begins on 45-year-old Jumbo Jet

SEATTLE – Restoration and painting of the exterior of the Boeing 747 prototype at The Museum of Flight is underway. Technicians arrived this month to begin returning the Jumbo Jet to the glamorous, gleaming livery worn on its maiden flight in 1969.

The Museum began renewing the interior of the plane in 2013. Decades of outdoor service and display have left their marks on the Boeing jet, but the Museum plans on those being history by summer’s end. The aircraft will remain on exhibit in the Museum Airpark during the painting process.

The 45-year-old aircraft was a milestone in aircraft design and helped revolutionize commercial air travel in the 1970s. It was the first 747 ever built – serial number 001. Its maiden flight was on February 9, 1969 over Western Washington. Later, this aircraft served as a testbed for 747 systems improvements and new engine developments for other Boeing commercial jets, including the state-of-the-art Boeing 777 engine program.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $19 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, $16 for active military, $11 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick’s Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org