Today is a sad but historic day. It is the day in which a well rehearsed dance comes together for the very last time. I have dreaded this day for many years, but alas the natural course of events has taken hold
Today is the day where the very last 747 to be built, enters the body join area to complete this essential assembly process for the last time. It is the end of 50 years of aviation history, an ending to a gamble that was made by two men, who never lived to see the profound effect that their creation has had on the world.
Their gamble has transformed our World. It has shaped the destiny of many, and will continue into the future, until its definite retirement .Today is one of many steps to which we engage and embrace a new future. The death of the Queen of the Skies is just one of many eventualities.
Technology is a funny thing. It is very much fad-like in its approach. If one knows anything about selling fads, it has to have with it , an intrinsic intangible quality that cannot be matched by anything else. This edge proves invaluable in marketing and for many years it sold 747's, a large machine cumbersome in its size, yet majestic in its aesthetic and utilitarian in its capability.
What ends today is the source of this machines future. No doubt the world will still have the Queen of the skies with us, but its future will no longer be one of development. Its force in the market is spent and whatever utility is left is to slowly and inevitably be replaced by more modern machinations. The World will move on quietly.
The building of this legend was no mean feat, the sustainability of which was suspect to begin with, yet despite the disadvantages and drawbacks, has left a legacy like no other commercial jet. Perhaps even eclipsing those that seemed to be capable of replacing it.
The fingerprint it leaves behind is still yet to be filled by modern designs, a Testament to the brilliance of its designers and the Army of Men and machines that brought it forth. Its maker has so far struggled to best its own work, its solution and answer to the legend that is the 747 has big shoes to fill and whilst this may take many years to come to fruition, it will be a solution optimized for the market conditions in the now and perhaps bring forth a different set of rules and market conditions in the near future.
Its book is still an open page that isn't filled with tomorrows blurb yet, despite all the sales hoopla coming out from various orifices. Time will tell whether the twin engine manifestations being built today will ever match the 747's legend in myth and substance.
Whilst we look to a post 747 Everett, the jury is still out on whether this path they have chosen is the right one. No doubt some form of recovery is underway with Calhoun at the Helm even though the last few years have been very turbid, with barbs being put on display and adamant exchanges of claim and counterclaim. The industry is STILL a shambles and market forces continue to align themselves with their perceived principalities, a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future.
What has died today was a great uniting Force. Even the Russians spoke of her well, being the last people on Earth to buy the passenger variant, whom were also jokingly, the last people who were expected buy them in the first place.
Today, The World has turned a whiter shade of pale and also will the last person to leave, please, please turn off the lights.
