Boeing 707-300 (N404PA)

What is that thing?

beautiful machine realy

Rebecca, details here: https://warisboring.com/mit-flies-a-high-tech-test-plane-with-the-u-s-air-force/

He's loaded down with antenna; 707 variant.

404 would be a B707-321B-advanced. New about mid 1965 probably based at KSFO for trans-pacific and polar flights where the slight advantage of the advanced cowling made EGLL/KLAX non-stop practical.

beautiful beast!

If you think it looks good, then you should hear it! I live and work near KBED and those low bypass engines have an unmistakable high pitched scream you just down hear anymore. If it weren't being used under military contract it couldn't be flown in the US because it is too loud. They don't currently fly it anywhere near MTOW, so it's not deafening, but if they did it would shake your house.

Great photo by the way, Ive been trying to get a good shot of it, but haven't yet.

Warner, thank you! Took me four tries to get this one. She always seems to return to Bedford around midday-early afternoon, so catching her during sunset for her last mission before flying down to Brunswick for maintenance was incredible. Even seeing her so many times now, the harmonious scream will never, ever get old. Hopefully someday next summer I can catch a takeoff!

Spicy