Lol such back handed comments. You do this a lot in other threads as well. You can say whatever you want but b***ching is b***ching, and we all know it. The last time I experienced such snid remarks was between a group of Asian aunties trying to one up each other. You'd fit well in that group I'd imagineI am not b**ching. It's true the 1950s were a long time ago but it is what it is. To get from point A to point C you have to go through the middle (point B) and this is rightfully a major milestone. How many countries could not get to this point? Every single one on earth except the US, EU, and Russia. China is the first non European offshoot to achieve this. So don't view my post as b***ching, but as celebrating this moment for what it is, no more no less.
Also, the Saturn V was launched in late 1967, not mid 1967, I stand corrected.
Congratulations China! With the help of Western suppliers, it has officially entered the jet age. Frankly, as recently as 3 years ago, this day seemed quite distant to me.
Congratulations China! With the help of Western suppliers, it has officially entered the jet age. Frankly, as recently as 3 years ago, this day seemed quite distant to me.
In contrast, the first stable, purpose-built Western narrowbody jet airliner, the DeHavilland Comet 4, went into revenue service on October 4, 1958 (earlier versions of the model had major issues with explosive decompression). The famous Boeing 707 would follow three weeks later. At that time also, the Soviet Tupolev Tu-104 had been revenue service since September 15, 1956.
People were *quite* excited at the time. Check out this promo film from Pan American airlines:
To celebrate the occasion, here is Tommy Edwards's "It's All in the Game", which was atop the Billboard charts that month.
By my calculations, there is now nothing the West could do that China today cannot until the debut of the Saturn V super heavy launcher in mid-1967.