Northwest had moved decisively to introduce jet equipment over the North Pacific with its introduction of the DC-8, but Boeing’s steady evolution of the 707 platform won NWA over with its model 720B for domestic and Hawaiian routes. As the 707-320 Intercontinental design was firmed, NWA seized the opportunity to add that type and enjoy both high commonality with its 720Bs and also the leap in range and capacity over the DC-8-20s for its Pacific and high-traffic U.S. routes.
Northwest’s 320B models came with a modification – per a May 1963 press release: “Northwest revealed a revolutionary concept in cabin design, to allow the carrier to increase substantially its lift of trans-Pacific air cargo, without reducing its passenger capacity.
“A large door cargo compartment, with space for five tons of cargo, was incorporated into cabin design… will allow Northwest to provide, on the same flight, cargo lift equivalent to that provided today on the carrier’s piston-engined all-cargo aircraft as well as the passenger capacity of NWA’s present jet transports.
“The special cargo compartment will run for 37 feet aft from the passenger entrance along the left side of the forward cabin. It will have an average floor width of 50 inches. Access to this compartment for loading and unloading operations will be through a huge cargo door, with an effective opening of 91 by 134 inches.”
The 707 fleet would encompass five of the -320B, with its first received on June 5, 1963, and thirty one of the -320C models, with the final delivery in 1968. (The B models would also get upgraded to the C configuration.) Some of the C models would be transformed into dedicated freighters, as well. Much of the fleet was replaced in the mid-1970s with new DC-10s and 747 Freighters, with the final passenger examples handling sectors south of Tokyo as late as 1978.
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1963 graphic from NWA showing the main deck cargo compartment next to First Class seating on the 707-320B. From the James Borden Photography Collection.Interior study from 1962 for Northwest’s initial -351B deliveries, showing how the cargo area would be concealed from the passenger cabin. Boeing photo, NWAHC collection.NWA publicity shot of the forward cabin interior, showing the enclosed cargo area on left, early 1960s. NWAHC collection.Boeing-produced composite artwork for N351US from early 1963. (The registration number is clearly hand-lettered, and the bare-metal skin below the cheatline is more uniform than in reality. Background is a photo.) Via the James Borden Collection.N351US, first of the class for NWA, is photographed on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US on a pre-delivery flight in early May 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N351US at rest on the ramp in Minneapolis, June 1963. Logan Coombs photo via the James Borden Photography Collection.N352US at Renton in June 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N355US at Renton in October 1963. Boeing-arranged photo for Northwest, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N356US on a pre-delivery flight, April 1964. Boeing photo via the James Borden Photography Collection.Engines have been mounted and testing is underway on N721US, April 1961. Boeing photo via the James Borden Photography Collection.-351C version being checked out at Renton prior to delivery in 1964. Boeing photo, NWAHC collection.N358US at Renton getting ready for delivery, June 1964. Boeing photo, via the James Borden Photography Collection.N357US at Minneapolis in the summer of 1964. Logan Coombs photo via the James Borden Photography Collection.“Pallets pre-loaded with 60,000-pound Control Data computer shipment for Japan await boarding on Northwest Orient Airlines 707-320C convertible passenger-cargo airliner at Minneapolis-St. Paul. The electronic data-processing equipment made up the largest individual air shipment ever to clear the Twin Cities.”
N359US in the hangar at MSP, Nov. 22, 1965. Photo by Gerald Brimacombe, via the James Borden Photography Collection.1960s shot of N351US parked at a snowy gate at the “new” Minneapolis-St. Paul terminal. Photo by Dick Phillips, NWAHC collection.N358US at the Danang Air Field in Vietnam, September 1966, taking on US troops for transport to Okinawa. Photo from the US Marine Corps via Wikimedia, CC 2.0 license (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danang_Air_Field,_September_1966_(17087464072).jpg)1960s shot of N382US at a cold Detroit. Photo by Dick Phillips, NWAHC collection.N377US climbing out of San Francisco on Sept. 29, 1970. Photo by RuthAS via Wikimedia, CC 3.0 license (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boeing_707-351B_N377US_NWAL_SFO_19.09.70_edited-2.jpg)Company-issued postcard of a -320C from the early 1970s.N373US at New York JFK on May 28, 1972. A pair of Northwest 727s are also docked, as well as a bright red Braniff jetliner. Photo by George Hamlin and used with permission.
