Boeing 747-100

The Boeing 747 is an American jet airliner with a wide fuselage, often referred to by its nickname, Jumbo Jet or Queen of the Skies. Its characteristic « hump » at the front of the fuselage make the 747 a particularly recognizable device. The 747 is also the first wide-fuselage airliner aircraft produced. Built in the United States by the Boeing Group, the initial version of the 747 has a capacity two and a half times that of the Boeing 707, which is one of the major commercial aircraft of the 1960s. Put into service in 1970, the 747 held the passenger capacity record for 37 years, until the arrival of the Airbus A380.

The first edition of the jumbo jet, the 747-100, came out of the Everett assembly line (this factory was then the largest ever built) for a first flight on February 9, 1969 and certification in December of the same year. The 747-100 entered service in January 1970 for its first customer, Pan American World Airways. An evolution of the aircraft mass, the thrust of the engines and its range of action allowed the construction of the 747-100B. This evolution occurred as the 747-200 was already in production. In fact, only 9 copies of the 747-100B were built. Another variant of the 747-100, the 747-100SR (Short Range) is optimized for very short flights: with a capacity of 550 passengers, it is used on domestic flights in Japan.

Base 100 Series aircraft can travel just over 9,000 km on a full charge. The last aircraft delivered in this version was for the Japanese airline Japan Airlines in September 1986. The 747-100 passenger version can be distinguished from other versions by its upper deck, sometimes having only three portholes (a system of removable covers, the classic row of portholes also meeting). Some 747-100 had a second life after a modification to Special Freighter, a version never declined by Boeing. The entire cabin is equipped for cargo transport and a cargo side door is installed on the left side, between passenger doors 4 and 5. This type of aircraft does not have a nose door.

This is a 1/32-scale agency model representing a Boeing 747 in Air France’s historic livery as it appeared upon delivery of the first aircraft in the early 1970s. This model, registered F‑BPVA, faithfully reproduces the distinctive design of the earliest Air France 747 cabins.

Exterior Description

• The livery features the Air France logo of the period, the French tricolor flag, the registration F‑BPVA, and the inscription “Boeing 747” on the fuselage.
• Exterior detailing includes the classic blue lines, the windows running the full length of the aircraft, and the “AIR FRANCE” inscription in bold blue capital letters.
• The entire model rests on a sturdy display stand, typical of agency models of this scale.

Interior Layout and Finish

• The model is partially open on one side, revealing a meticulously detailed cabin layout.
• The original configuration can clearly be seen, featuring the famous color-themed lounges:
• Blue lounge
• Mauve lounge
• Red lounge
• Yellow lounge
• Each area has been recreated with its distinct seat colors, just as they appeared in the first Air France 747s.
• The partitions, panels, and interior padding are accurately reproduced with gold-speckled motifs—a hallmark of the design aesthetic of that era.
• The upper deck and forward cabin are also visible, showcasing remarkable attention to detail.

Specific Characteristics

• The 1/32-scale model measures approximately 2 meters in length with a wingspan of nearly 2 meters as well, matching the standard of the prestigious agency display models used in the 1970s and 1980s for commercial promotion.
• Such models were displayed in the airline’s agencies or at exhibitions to illustrate the innovation and comfort of the new Boeing 747 cabin layout.

This rare model combines outstanding historical accuracy with exceptional craftsmanship, characteristic of the pieces created for Air France at the dawn of the “Jumbo” era.  

Scale model dimensions (1/32)

• Length: approximately 2.20 meters
• Wingspan (width with wings): approximately 1.90 meters

Due to its impressive dimensions, this type of model is a rare piece, equally at home in a private collection or a professional aeronautical environment.

Boeing 747-100 AIR FRANCE immatriculé F-BPVA modèle de coupe à l’échelle 1/32e Couleurs anciennes avec train d’atterrissage