Final SWA 737-300 flight

MikeD

MikeD

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ending the era of the 737 classic at SWA, the last flight of a 737-300. SWA introduced the -300 in late Dec 1984, with revenue service in the first part of 1985. The retirement of the -300 comes alongside the already-completed retirement of the 737-500s from SWA, leaving an all NG fleet of 737-700s and the oncoming -800/Max models. I see many 737-500s and -300s here at KTUS, as they arrive for parting out and eventual scrapping.

Photo my me:

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Isn't it amazing how far we've come! These rolled out 35 years ago, as a variant of an airplane that was already almost 20 years old! We've made so much progress in the years since. 35 Years before this was introduced, Boeing was producing the Stratocruiser. Boeing has made such leaps in the time since this 737-300 was produced, that it makes it look so antiquated. Can you imagine if Boeing was still manufacturing that 50 year old airframe today?
 
Seems rather lacking...when United and Delta are retiring the Queen of the Skies.

Hooray, let's all celebrate SWA retiring a plane that lead us down the path towards the 737-Mega Stretches + overhead panels we see today. Thanks SWA, y'all keep that train running on "Herbie Time"
 
Side question: when talking of the 737 classics, the reference seems to be the -300/400/500 models. Are the 737-100/200 models with the JT8 engines not considered as part of the "classic" models?
 
Every time I mentioned the retirement to a -300 crew, they seemed like they couldn't wait to never have to fly one again. I'll miss seeing them, though. I always enjoyed looking out at the -300 wing growing up and flying on them often.

MikeD said:
Side question: when talking of the 737 classics, the reference seems to be the -300/400/500 models. Are the 737-100/200 models with the JT8 engines not considered as part of the "classic" models?
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In nerd talk, the 737-100/200 is usually the "737", whereas the others would be the "737 classic", "737NG", and "737MAX" are the other families. I don't know what grand wizardry approves such rhetoric.
 
MikeD said:
That makes sense. They are pretty old. There's still a few of them stored and operating out here, which is cool to see.
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The San Jose Sharks used to fly on two jets, a 737-200 and a BAC 1-11, I think they were hangared at Castle, at least I saw them on the ramp there a lot.

I dunno what they're flying on these days.
 
MikeD said:
Side question: when talking of the 737 classics, the reference seems to be the -300/400/500 models. Are the 737-100/200 models with the JT8 engines not considered as part of the "classic" models?
Click to expand...

The Classic's were the 'New Generation' before they were replaced by the 'Next Generation'. The JT-8 powered aircraft are known as 'Original'. We now have the 'Max' Which will likely be followed by 'Now', 'Future' and 'Final' Generations, before Boeing retires the 737 in 2112, replacing it with an identical airframe with brand new engines. This will be the 737 'Generations'.
 
trafficinsight said:
The San Jose Sharks used to fly on two jets, a 737-200 and a BAC 1-11, I think they were hangared at Castle, at least I saw them on the ramp there a lot.

I dunno what they're flying on these days.
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That's cool stuff. Heck.....i still remember Castle being the home of B-52 and KC-135 training for the AF, now it's desolate there in the land of onions. I believe the air museum is still open though and it was a good one, with even an RAF Vulcan bomber on display.

The Phoenix Suns NBA team used to have a dedicated 737-100.....I believe the last one that was flying.....flown by America West, specifically for their team support.
 
MikeD said:
That's cool stuff. Heck.....i still remember Castle being the home of B-52 and KC-135 training for the AF, now it's desolate there in the land of onions. I believe the air museum is still open though and it was a good one, with even an RAF Vulcan bomber on display.

The Phoenix Suns NBA team used to have a dedicated 737-100.....I believe the last one that was flying.....flown by America West, specifically for their team support.
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SJSU had an F-100C, 53-1709, that had been donated by NASA we would use in the A&P program for hydraulics labs, when the decision was made to close down the campus it went to the Castle Museum and is on display there.
 
trafficinsight said:
The San Jose Sharks used to fly on two jets, a 737-200 and a BAC 1-11, I think they were hangared at Castle, at least I saw them on the ramp there a lot.

I dunno what they're flying on these days.
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http://flightaware.com/live/flight/KAI525

That's gonna be them pretty much all year, it was last for the last 2 season also I believe. My favorite thing is working at a facility where the last thing the crew expects is a Sharks Shoutout as I ship them and hearing the surprise haha
 
MikeD said:
Side question: when talking of the 737 classics, the reference seems to be the -300/400/500 models. Are the 737-100/200 models with the JT8 engines not considered as part of the "classic" models?
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At my shop those are usually just referred to as "The 200." But I don't think we had 100s, so there's that.
ChasenSFO said:
Every time I mentioned the retirement to a -300 crew, they seemed like they couldn't wait to never have to fly one again. I'll miss seeing them, though. I always enjoyed looking out at the -300 wing growing up and flying on them often.
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I can't wait until the -400 goes away. The thing flies nice and is good at slowing down, but that isn't nearly worth the sub-glacial speed (yes, even for a 737) that it goes and the rest of it's suckiness. The old style non vacuum lav... Ugh. The gear warning horn... Double ugh.

And while we're discussing aircraft names, I'm determined to get the nickname of MAD MAX in common usage for whatever 737-OVER9000MAX we end up taking delivery of.
 
trafficinsight said:
SJSU had an F-100C, 53-1709, that had been donated by NASA we would use in the A&P program for hydraulics labs, when the decision was made to close down the campus it went to the Castle Museum and is on display there.
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That's a great acquisition for them to get. I really need to make a trip out to Atwater again to go check out the museum.

Was that F-100 complete?
 
MikeD said:
That's a great acquisition for them to get. I really need to make a trip out to Atwater again to go check out the museum.

Was that F-100 complete?
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They painted it as an F-100D which bugs the crap out of me when museums do that. The airframe itself has so much history in flight test.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
trafficinsight said:
They painted it as an F-100D which bugs the crap out of me when museums do that. The airframe itself has so much history in flight test.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
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You should visit DMA here. They have an F-4 Phantom on display at the front gate park, among a number of other display planes that the base has operated. The F-4 is painted up in Vietnam camo and dedicated to BGen Robin Olds, painted as his old F-4C from Thailand when he commanded the 8th Tac Fighter Wing there.

Problem is, when you walk around th display jet, if you know about F-4s, you'll notice the thicker landing gear struts and the AOA indicator lights on the front of the nose landing gear doors. Because....this jet is actually a USN F-4N model Phantom, that was repainted as a USAF phantom. I mean.....my God man, the damn military boneyard is right here, right next door! There has been and is a ton of USAF F-4s there, even C models still! So you guys pull out a USN version from there for display and paint up with a fake AF tailcode?!?! Sheesh....
 
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