Boeing 707-120

Boeing · United States · first flew 1957 · airliner

The 707-120 was the initial domestic-range production variant, shorter than the intercontinental -320 and powered by early Pratt & Whitney JT3C or JT3D turbofans.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	4 × turbojet, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Shorter fuselage than -320; 44.1 m vs 46.6 m, notably stubby by comparison
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Shorter fuselage than -320; 44.1 m vs 46.6 m, notably stubby by comparison
Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojets in slim, close-to-wing pods — no wide-fan nacelles
Ventral fin often fitted below tailcone; original domestic range configuration

Shorter than the -320 Intercontinental by 2.5 m and with a smaller wingspan; the -120 sits lower and looks noticeably compact beside its intercontinental sibling.

Specifications

The Boeing 707-120 has a length of 44.1 m (145 ft).
It has a wingspan of 39.9 m (131 ft).
Its maximum speed is 975 km/h (606 mph).
Typical crew: 3 flight crew.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Entering service with American Airlines in January 1959, the -120 opened the US transcontinental jet age. Boeing lengthened the fuselage and extended the wing for the -320 Intercontinental, making the -120 a distinctly shorter baseline. The -120B re-engined with JT3D turbofans for better fuel economy.

Variants

The -120B added JT3D turbofans and a wider span; most survivors were -120Bs by the 1970s.

Where you'll see it

Widely operated by US carriers on domestic routes; few remain airworthy, with most retired by the 1990s.

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