What Happens To Prototype Aircraft Once Testing Is Complete?

When an aircraft program is launched, the manufacturer must produce several prototypes in order to test various systems and ensure safe and reliable operation for the following models that enter commercial service. These prototypes undergo rigorous testing and are put through all sorts of challenging conditions, including extreme heat and cold. “The plane has been dragged, dropped, soaked, forced to hover, shudder and flutter,” Boeing said of its 747-8 testing. But after being stressed in all sorts of ways, what happens to these prototype units once the planemaker is finished with them?

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[pretzzelnator]

The prototype Dreamliner livery is so pretty.

[leezinke]

4:19 That 767 should have been in museum.

[SAMann]

The MD-11 prototype still flies to this day with FedEx N601FE

[jeffbowers]

I was present at Edwards AFB when the test 747 was there for brake testing. (They caught fire as I watched, but self-extinguished w/in 5mins.) Two years ago I got to see that plane again in Seattle.

[SearTrip]

As a controller I got to work the Dash-80 prototype on its final flight to Dulles. I also worked the 787 prototype on one of its first cross-country flights. So I get to say I talked to everything from the first 707 to the first 787.

[spongebubatz]

I got to see the first 727, 737, 747 and 757 (catfish) (as well as the first 787-10) all in one day during a visit to the museum of flight, where the third 787 is also on display!

Edit: Some test aircraft, so not the very first aircraft, I’ve seen include the second A321neo, the second A350-900 as well as both blue A350-1000s (so not the carbon one but therefore also the A35K prototype). I also got to see an A330-200 in Airbus colors once!

During a stopover in Atlanta I got to see the first 747-400, which is now preserved at the Delta museum! It’s quite cool that I also got to see the last 747-400, a 400F of Kalitta Air!

[leeoldershaw]

DC9 - 31 N8916E certification aircraft for -30 variant of DC - 9 was delivered to Eastern Air Lines and served a long career. It suffered a fire while parked in ATL at a gate which gutted the fuselage. Another Eastern -30, N8961E. was damaged in a hard landing during a microburst at FLL which drove the main landing gear up through the wings. They took the wings from 16E and the fuselage from 61E and called the combined aircraft N 8961E.

[Shiver]

I've seen the 727, 737, 747, 777, and 787 prototypes. What an absolute sight for sure.

[the_cheese]

I have seen the prototype 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767s all close-up at Boeing Field. The 767 had all kinds of crazy modifications to the nose for testing various later programs.

[ChaceEvans]

The first Lockheed L-1011 TriStar prototype is currently on display at the Delta flight museum, albeit just a part of the fuselage.

[robertbanik]

I had the privilege in 2016 to help detail many of those Boeing's in Seattle at Museum of Flight

[BoxInThisLapVR]

Sad to think the 737-800 prototype got scrapped at Lasham as it should've been preserved as the impact in the aviation is massive

[nighthawkvca]

The Museum of Flight is a must visit for any aviation enthusiast!

[stradivarioushardhiantz]

Love to see A380 Testbed F-WWOW carrying RR Trent XWB-97 later mounted on A350-1000🛫🤓

[theapplewing]

The first 777-300ER Prototype are in service as Japan Airlines JA732J. First Prototype 747-400 is in Delta Museum, First Prototype 717-200 is scrapped in Long Beach, First Prototype A330 is scrapped as B-HLJ, First Prototype L-1011 Tristar is in Delta Museum but it's just fuselage

[keithmcchristy]

I went to the museum of flight in Seattle in 09. Saw lots of impressive aircraft there. I would love to go back.

[Michaelca]

You can call the A220 (CSeries) an Airbus aircraft all you want, but we all know where it came from.

[apolloniaaskew]

The first 747-400 prototype ( originally bought by Northwest Airlines) and the Spirit of Delta (a 767-200 paid for by Delta employees) plus a Lockheed L1011 in Delta Airlines museum in Atlanta, Georgia. FedEx had the last four 727-200 made in a secret hangar and the first MD-10 ( a DC-10 converted from a 3 person crew to a two person crew ) in service

[bubba]

I've been to the museum a flight in Seattle many times truly is an awesome place

[discountdave]

Museum of Flight also has Concorde, a 707 used as Air Force One and a B17. My favourite plane. Plus they do Boeing factory tours near by