
"The first plane rolled out on September 30, 1968, less than three years after Pan Am had signed the letter of intent. Development costs to that time were said to exceed $1 billion plus the cost of the new plant. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, a little past the target date of December 17, 1968."

Mount Rainier looming over the Flight Test flight line at Boeing Field - May, 1969. Visible in the photo are the first 747, the first 737, and the Dash 80. (Boeing)

