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                       Boeing 737 series 300/400/500
                                    by
                        The Project Freeware Group


When Boeing launched its "baby", the Model 737, it seemed like the company was again playing 'catch-up', as the BAC One-Eleven and DC-9 were already on offer. Again using the nose and fuselage cross-section of the 707/727, Boeing launched the design in November 1964 and worked hard to gain its first order, which came from Lufthansa. This was the first time Boeing had launched a design with no US orders and, initially, Lufthansa wanted only 10 aircraft. This first version became known as the 737-100 and made its maiden flight on 9 April 1967. Entering service in Germany in February 1968, only 30 were built (by 1969) before Boeing switched to the longer and heavier 737-200, as required by United Airlines, which had ordered 40 and taken 30 options. The 737-200 first flew on 8 August 1967, entering service in April 1968 with United. 

Boeing continued to aerodynamically refine the basic aircraft while adding thrust reversers and revising the flap design. Continued improvements to the wing leading edge, engine mounts, Krueger flaps, braking system, and undercarriage led to the 737-200 Advanced, introduced from the 280th production example. A range of engine options became available over the 737's life, from the JTSD-9 to the -17, and the operating weight of the 737 increased accordingly. The 737-200 Advanced could also accommodate additional fuel tanks in the belly hold. Some aircraft were delivered with add-on rough-field landing gear for gravel strip operations, and 104 freighter versions, the 737-200C and CC (Quick Change), were built between 1965 and 1985. Towards the end of its life, increased use of composites was made in the 'first-generation' 737. The last of 865 -200 Advanced aircraft was delivered to CAAC on 18 December ~987, bringing to a close the production run of 1,144 aircraft. After 17 years of 737 production, Boeing introduced the next generation of the family. At the Farnborough Air Show of 1980 Boeing revealed the stretched, re-engined 128-seat 737-300. Launch customers were Southwest and US Air. The 737-300 is 109 ft 7 in (33.4 m) long, some 8 ft 8 in (2.58 m) longer than the 737-200. There is still 70 per cent airframe commonality between the two, but the -300 boasts color weather radar, a digital flight management system and auto-throttle, all in a 'glass' EFIS cockpit. The most obvious difference is the CFM56-3B (or-3C) engines, with their distinctive flat-bottomed nacelles. The first 737-300 was rolled out on 17 January 1984 and made its maiden flight on 24 February'. The type received FAA certification on 14 November after 1,300 flight-test hours. 

Boeing next examined the market for a 150-seat design, potentially an all-new design. In 1983 this became the 737-400, but Boeing stated that it did not expect to build such an aircraft for several years. Finally, after much indecision, the 737-400 was launched, in 1986, with an order for 25 from Piedmont Airlines. The new aircraft is stretched by 10 ft (3.04 m) and has a tailskid to protect the longer fuselage from over-rotation on take-off, The 737-400 also has two overwing exits in place of the 737-300's one. First flight occurred on 19 February 1988, with service entry in October that year. Boeing still planned a new short-fuselage 737 (the 737 Lite), which in the face of rising competition from other smaller jets was launched as the 737-500 1987, making its maiden flight on 30 June (989. Braathens SAFE, of Norway was the launch customer. The 737-500 measures 101 ft 9 in (31 m), almost exactly the same size as the 737-200. By mid-1994, deliveries for the 737-300/400 ($27-31 million) stood at 1,227, and at 277 for the 737-500 ($25 million). 

In November 1993, Southwest Airlines launched the next chapter in the 737 story with an order for 63 Boeing 737-Xs, with another 63 on option. The 737-X will be offered in three sizes, seating between 108 to 157 and all powered by an uprated CFM56-3X engine. Southwest has ordered the 110 ft 2 in (33.5 m) 737-700 (formerly 737-300X), but on either side of this model (in terms of size) will be a 737-500X (now 737-800) and 737-400X (now 737-800). Each aircraft will have a much-improved aerodynamic configuration and significantly improved performance. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  This aircraft and textures are copyrighted by Project Freeware. It may not be included on ANYTHING WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT!!! Some of our aircraft have been pirated for profit. NOTE>>>THIS INCLUDES ALL CD ROM'S<<<NOTE. So save the email with the get rich quick off of our work schemes. If you have a free web site just drop us a little note. We will be glad to give you the go ahead to link to this aircraft. Also any decompiling and use of our textures is strictly forbidden. Trust us we will know. There is no warranty the only cost is that you try to have fun with it and enjoy. And finally maybe one day this will be a great hobby again instead of a get rich quick scam it has become. ENJOY!!!
