They weren't flying formation, the 787 would probably stall out if it tried to match the 40's speed. The Boeing 40 went into service in 1927. The 787 may possibly get into service this year (most likely next year).
For fun, let's look at a similar time period for locomotives, starting with roughly 30 years after steam locomotives were first brought into service in the US.
In the 1860s, the 4-4-0 configuration was popular. This is "the General" from the Great Locomotive Chase:
And from the 1940s, a "Big Boy":
And an EMD FT set:
I assume that pic was photoshopped to put the two planes together?
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to fly in a 787!
No, that wasn't photoshopped. A camera airplane flew in formation with the 40 and got the photo as the 787 passed by.
ReplyDeleteDear Miss Fit:
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that aircraft and locomotives each reached the top of a technological development "S"-curve almost simultaneously. That "Big Boy" and, (I'd argue) the R-3350 powered "Super Connie" were at the acmes of their respective technical paradigms and were in short order succeeded by diesel-electric traction units and 707's.
I think we are each of an age where we can admire the modern machines, but our hearts will always respond to round engines and steam.
(I guess the seagoing world was about 75 years ahead on all this.)
Regards,
Frank