Jumbo

Nothing like Boeing's 747 had ever been seen before. The biggest, heaviest, most powerful and ambitious airliner ever to take to the air would go on to become an icon, described by Bill Gates as “the world’s first world wide web.” Since that landmark first flight in 1968, the 747 has served Presidents as Air Force One, explored the origins of the universe for NASA, fired airborne lasers, launched space rockets, performed dramatic rescues, bombed forest fires and survived extraordinary close escapes to bring her passengers home safely. Former 747 pilot Scott Bateman tells the story of this 'Queen of the Skies.