AFRICA's OLDEST PLANE - the Legendary Air Zimbabwe 737-200!

[@JoshCahill]

I'm nominated as 'Best KZbin Aviation Channel' at the German Traveller Awards 2024 - please vote for me here: de.surveymonkey.com/r/gtawards2024 - Thanks! Comment "done" under this comment and I'll give away a few Keyrings among them. Have a great day!

[@budapestflyer99]

Done - voted for you. I hope to win the Keyring :)

[@axan50transportproductions]

done - voted for you. Hope to win the keyring

[@pespespes8916]

done

[@Polfeck21]

Done

[@realgreenland211]

done-voted for you [i started my aviation journey with your amazing videos] :)

[@Tapsy_smith]

that co-pilot is my aunt ,proud moment for sure aunt Martha !!!

[@HubelAl-UZZA]

White ass lover African what is he doing there😂😂😂

[@NoahPlayz-ov5qh]

Tell her I said orange

[@Jetstreamchronicals-b81]

​@@NoahPlayz-ov5qh bruhhhhhhhh

[@mark1968]

Lovely lady. :-

[@sidneytheodoro4320]

👏🏽Lovely lady!God bless you all! Greetings from Brazil!🇧🇷

[@flywithme29thheven]

I worked @Air Zimbabawe, and i say the reason its still flying because the engineering team there is second to none. you can ask around.

[@apostolesofmuchinjikwamaso1729]

That is 100 percent true Zimbabwe holds the best engnneering team

[@Angel-iw6zk]

Absolutely 👍🏽

[@robertmartin1116]

Air Zimbabwe get's their planes maintained by SAA Technical in Johannesburg in South Africa

[@khaltsharivist365]

@@robertmartin1116 “Air Zimbabwe Maintenance Department comprises three key areas, namely Engineering Maintenance Control, Aircraft Maintenance and Workshops which provide aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as general engineering services. Our maintenance facility is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), and is complemented by a highly experienced workforce committed to quality workmanship. Air Zimbabwe Maintenance Department has the industry capabilities and experience to provide customized solutions that keep your fleet in the air.”

[@flywithme29thheven]

@@robertmartin1116 its been 3 + years since i left so i dont know about that, still it does not take away anything from the team there

[@tamla83]

As a Zimbabwean, I now feel prouder of our airliner. This is very cool.

[@tell.A.vision]

Proud for mediocrity?

[@tamla83]

@@tell.A.vision I am not sure why you say think its mediocrity. I am saying I am proud that we kept the B737-200 flying.

[@marijar.6612]

​@@tamla83 yes you have every right to be proud, people seem very nice & likeable !!

[@Inevitably_Gaming]

@@tamla83Don’t listen to them. Keeping a plane in service for so long is a feat on its own. Zimbabweans should be proud. From Libya 🇱🇾 ❤

[@tamla83]

@@Inevitably_Gaming Thank you very much!!!

[@d.g.1594]

Zimbabwe is one of my most favorite countries in Africa. It's just nice at how generous and friendly the people are.

[@ZukileFongoqa-id7cn]

Are you serious?

[@GTM-o2u]

Bruh😮

[@afronews7034]

Wish thegovt cared for the citizens pipo are suffering😮

[@terrencemsipha4577]

Zim honestly is like Canada

[@eurooceania5562]

My wife was onboard that airplane. Im proud seeing her on this video. Thanks Josh.

[@stevelittlewood5362]

This video was so wholesome. Amazing to see such an old bird still in revenue service and in such good condition.

[@aussiejohn3941]

This is one of Josh's best videos, if not THE best. The flight crew were awesome and a credit to Air Zimbabwe, as well as the nation itself with their genuine happiness and helpfulness. My family lived in Africa for a few years and it's definitely a place that gets into you. It's amazing. Hope to return one day. Well done, Josh!

[@kxaddiso]

As a Zimbabwean who used to fly from Bulawayo to Harare regularly and I flew many times on that very plane! - I have to say this video has made me very nostalgic. That is not an embarrassment to the country - that is a piece of aviation heritage! Thanks for the memories @joshCahill

[@RichardMusvosvi-l1t]

I have painted the aircraft 3 times

[@kalololemba7765]

My Dad actually flew a 737- 200 for Aero Zambia which later changed to interAir before he transitioned to the 737NG So I have plenty memories flying on the 737- 200 as a kid. Good aircraft I wouldn't mind piloting one someday

[@andrewroxburgh423]

I wonder if I was one of his passengers. I flew from Harare-Lusaka in Dec. 83 and Lusaka - Harare in Jan .84 on Zambia Airways 737

[@mheneprogresstakudzwa6436]

Proudly Zimbabwean

[@jusalii]

Not long left until they’re gone.

[@japanesetrainandtravel6168]

Just voted for you and I am really impressed by how clean the 737-200 was kept given it’s age. Absolutely love your content. My dad was an aviation tech, worked for East African Airways and later for a private aviation company in Toronto. Greetings from Canada!

[@therealbettyswollocks]

Such a difference in hospitality between West and East/Southern Africa. Josh living his best life on an old plane. Those tiny hairdryer-esque engines. Brilliant!

[@Mimi-q6z9h]

West Africa is extremely bad place, possibly worst on the Earth

[@raymondtarwireyi2546]

As Zimbabwean and someone who works in Aviation lm impressed with how the plane is in such good shape yet so clean after 38yrs of flying. It was such joy to see how ecstatic you were the whole entire video with so much appreciation.

[@village1316]

What happened to the other planes? Why is it the ONLY remaining plane in the country?

[@tshidobibleverses]

Yeah the excitement really rubbed onto me too

[@tawandamarufu]

​@village1316 we have other planes sir this one is just the only 737-200 still running

[@SundanceHelicopterTours]

Air Zimbabwe crew all seem to be spot on. You were so lucky to have these pilots - look at the captain who fills out the tech log while chatting with you. Also the female copilot. She is so relaxed and friendly. I MUST visit that country! What a pleasure to watch - thank you.

[@melvyncox3361]

A pleasure to watch this Josh.Nice to see one of the last remaining 737-200s flying.Very friendly people over there.We could do with some of that in the UK...... At least Nolinor are still flying combis in Canada.l think they've recently signed a support agreement with Boeing for them,so they will be flying for a good few years yet,as l hope this one will. Nice job!👍

[@MichaelRamos-g9h]

Indeed!

[@SundayBoss-x5n]

Josh, I actually love the 737-200 it is an amazing plane,Zimbabwe airline has done Africa proud by maintaining this icon of a plane upto now. Watching from the UK 🇬🇧

[@budapestflyer99]

Love the video and the passionate exchange with the pilots - you are true Aviation Ambassador! Keep up the great work and congrats on yet another Award! This stands testament to the great recognition you get in the industry. Proud to be part of this journey :)

[@chenesaimoyo8983]

Seeing you smile like that is priceless.Im a Zimbabwean and thank you!

[@MichaelRamos-g9h]

The smile was childlike.

[@melt5048]

Thought it was more of mockery than anything else

[@MarlonMpota]

This is without a doubt in top 3 of your best aviation experience 🇿🇼

[@geoffreyshing8432]

This BOEING 737-200 was the former president ROBERT MUGABE 's favorite, he flew in it all the time around the world, now i know why he loved it so much. Thanks JOSH for showing this video now i feel proud and grateful of my country...

[@JimboJimbo-i4i]

Robert the GOAT

[@arichardson321]

I'm Amy from Zimbabwe and I'm happy to have watched your video. I feel proud. God Bless You

[@theshieldhero7062]

That 737-200 was a gem. The engine sound was WOW on both landing and take off. With everything computerized and modern, seeing an older cockpit in operation just makes you feel how much aviation is advancing and how precious a classic of a cockpit it is. Wonderful

[@poletme]

I've never seen Josh so happy before! Congratulations!

[@fiae2897]

That's what Zim does to people.❤

[@richardhankin5977]

Loved your TU-134 videos too @poletme :) Thanks for some great footage 👍

[@joonykids]

I feel so proud seeing the crew just doing their thing in a very professional manner. Zimbabwe has got so much potential.

[@leoolana6040]

I am an airline engineer, It’s possible to keep airplane airworthy for long time complying to scheduled ,unscheduled maintenances, Airworthiness directives, and Service bulletins. The spare part can be found by sourcing from suppliers, most of the parts are still available with long lead time. This particular Airplane kept in good condition. I am proud of their maintenance department.❤

[@julianlayton733]

I flew on an Air Zimbabwe 707 from Harare to London. I remember being as excited as Josh is now flying the 737-200

[@RonaldNdongwe]

Zimbabwe has another 737-200 in its hanger so they harvest parts from there, oh and I’ve been on that plane from Harare to Bulawayo a few years ago

[@emmersonzimuto4746]

Me too. 😂

[@craigchisasa3796]

Heya Munotodawo zve ndege 😄

[@MazuruTazviwana]

The one Gweru Museum Hanger is which model of Boeng...?

[@MrAllumelg]

​@@MazuruTazviwanatoo old to tell

[@justinflynn4100]

Love your videos. Happy Christmas.

[@Not.Motivation07]

finally my country Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 🙌

[@xxxxjet1982xxxx]

Such friendly people.

[@ricardomejia4336]

i spent 6 weeks in Bulawayo and absolutely fell in love with it. The best people the best sights. just absolutely a beautiful country.

[@marrionmarufu1245]

Zimbabweans let’s gather here

[@rileywhittenberger5258]

On my list to visit…

[@marrionmarufu1245]

@ you’re more than welcome and the experience is second to none good hospitality

[@davidjele3268]

So happy for you! I first flew on it back in 1994 to Lilongwe, Malawi and then had many other flights all over Southern Africa until 2008 when i left Zim. I absolutely loved the way it feels "like a jet" when taking off, no other plane has that feeling. Congrats on making your dream come true!

[@PeterNGloor]

the first-generation DC-9's were just like this.

[@roxydiaz1]

Josh Cahill is like a kid in the candy store flying this plane so amazing to see his beautiful smile Safe travels

[@danielnkuzuwalela6953]

Your first video without any criticism. Well-done Air Zimbabwe.

[@SwirkH]

Your excitement is contagious ! I was excited just watching this

[@fiae2897]

Zimbabwe National Treasure💥💫 Ty Josh for showcasing our beautiful Zimbabwe and our people. ❤🇿🇼🇿🇼🌍😊

[@markodonovan9921]

Thanks for presenting Zimbabwe positively and highlighting the friendliness of the lovely people.

[@fakess-y7g]

As a Zimbabwean I'm happy to see Josh smile at the the 727-200. Great personality from the crew. Well done Martha the first officer.

[@nimedave]

I used to maintain the -200 for BA back in the day. I wonder if any of the remaining ones are any of those? We also used to look after Air Zim at LGW with their 767 from memory. All of the crew were lovely and looked after us well on the ground. Seeing this has brought back so many memories of the Galley 2 mod, leading edge slat actuators and all the other horrible jobs. 😂 Keeping them flying is a mixture of things. Some parts will still be made or are interchangeable, but a lot of it is the engineering dept buying up spares as they go and keeping them on the shelf. So many of these were produced there would be lots of broken aircraft to rob parts from. But eventually the spares do run dry which speeds up the demise of a particular type. As for the state of Boeing these days, I prefer to fly Airbus if at all possible.

[@daughterofzion7634]

Iwe urikurumbidza food iyi Mira unzwe Zimbabwean 🇿🇼 richihukura rubish about food iyoyo, untoshaya kuti zvinombofambasei nemunhu weku Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 kufarira zvevamwe vachitadza kufarira zvavo. Thank you Josh for advertising my beloved air Zim boeng 737-200

[@yoveeditors5502]

You're right. We always demean ourselves. It's a disease 😢

[@rannydewah8549]

Chokwadi ichocho well said

[@sithobekilemoyo]

It's good we still have our national treasure

[@ever-ready2549]

Its a shit plane. 😂

[@azriel5776]

Haiwa food iyo marara 😂😂😂

[@Hach244may]

As a Zimbabwean, I’m proud and excited to hear there’s still good things to say about our National Airline. Thanks Josh.🎉

[@archfordmaruma7326]

no place like home..thank you Josh...am from Zimbabwe your video is wonderful.,buy yu made me miss my beautiful contry Zimbabwe

[@Rizo8827]

Zimbabwe's Boeing 737-200 is nicknamed "Mbuya Nehanda," a spirit medium icon of Zimbabwe. What a beauty. This plane is a legend, and if there are any aviation awards, please nominate Air Zimbabwe for the best maintenance award.

[@kudakwashe3660]

its not nicknamed, it is named

[@23rommy]

Finally, I can see a full video takeoff of a 737-200 near the end of 2024. I love this airplane type; my last flight on this type of plane was around 2011. The engine sound is incredible. I can feel your excitement during this flight.

[@marg86]

What a wholesome video! The whole entire time Josh was was like a child in a lolli/candy shop 😂 Enjoy my country and it’s beautiful people 🇿🇼

[@Concorde79]

Flew on the same plane in 1989 and 1990 from Harare to Victoria Falls, Harare to Nairobi and Harare to Maputo. Exactly same interior and same Victoria Falls wall art. Brought back alot of memories on my time in Africa. I used to live in Mozambique.

[@PaulLancsUK]

Wow josh. Finally you're dream flight. You are totally buzzing. It's infectious seeing you so happy.

[@MargolisAshley]

Thank you for visiting Zimbabwe welcome you back to Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 friend and family 😊

[@jasongarufi8187]

Congrats Josh on finally getting on one of the few 737-200 left!

[@dominicsadaraki6130]

Boeing 737-200 is a brilliant master-piece. Thank you so much Josh for keeping viewers on the edge of their seat from start to the end. The hospitality exhibited by aircrew coupled by your smile makes this flight a memorable one. Indeed, you are a true brand ambassador in Aviation lndustry.

[@i_amrlestiahn]

Loved this video and the reaction on Josh face. Wow, it WAS like the way a kid receives a Christmas gift from Santa. What a dream to live in 😊✨️

[@brenstratters2026]

Boeing 737-100 - Yes, With Malaysia-Singapore Airlines and Singapore Airlines. This was in the early 70s and I was only a nipper, 9-10years, old so no real memories I regret. All the best.

[@mohammeddambatta7563]

Amazing, I used to fix one of those just like the 727. If you service them properly they will continue to fly for ever.

[@danielbrights]

Josh asked a question, do you know the answer? Where are they getting the spare parts from? Any Idea??? Thanks bro!

[@SammieGee10]

I used to look down to this plane here in my country, I stayed in Low density suburb - Hatfield Closer to the Harare Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Whenever this plane flies over, you don't need to be told that it's BOEING 737_200 because of its sound you can here, it has an irritating sound But now I'm proud of it's history , THE AFRICAN OLD SISTER AIRZIMBABWE -BOEING 737_200. More Life OUR SISTER 41 years old as of today. I looks at it just 30 mins again when it was passing over in the sky and give it a smile ❤❤❤❤

[@popandcat9482]

Beautiful old bird. Love that you couldn't stop smiling Josh. At least Neol can stop making fun of you now.

[@zms8092]

This was phenomenal! So glad you caught that beauty - what an experience. And a hot meal - incredible. I’m a flight attendant and worked on the -200 many times, many moons ago. We complained about her back then being outdated but what I’d give to have her back today. The MAXs are nice but the experience is not the same. The 732 was truly a workhorse and the product of a once rock solid Boeing Co. Josh - was this your first ride on the 200? Next time, sit aft of the engines - you’ll need earplugs but the clamshells deploying on landing is a sight. 😊 Cheers

[@jamesburns9706]

11:45 That sound!! ❤

[@rosstravels.official]

Josh is absolutely on CLOUD 9!! So so so glad for you to finally get on the 737-200 and your friend and another one of my fav KZbinrs Noel can give you a break😂😂. I could see watery eyes the whole way. You deserve it and so happy for you😁👏🏾

[@paulturner2911]

Hey Josh, absolutely fantastic video, as always, but this one was even more special as can be seen on your face pretty much throughout the whole video. I'm now 53, and my first flight (that I remember) was from BHX-TFS in November 1981. That was the flight that made me a aviation geek from head to toe. It was on G-BECH, a B737-200 of Britannia Airways. The noise, the vibration on take-off, the reverse thrust buckets on landing, everything was just incredible. Needless to say, I'm deeply envious of you finally getting a flight on a -200, so sad that very soon they will probably be all gone. I agree with you in respect of keeping them going in terms of spares, but the parts for the engines are for sure getting harder to find. Lets hope Air Zimbabwe keeps this jet going unlike their other -200's, which they probably use for spares. Keep up the great work Josh, always a highlight when I see you've posted a new video.

[@teeparekh8775]

That was the happiest I've seen Josh be. He was smiling ear to ear. Good to see the passion. Love your work. Voted for you on the best German traveler award.

[@eng.wilfredmukora9019]

Finally!!! The way you smiling all the way lol, man and their toys!!! You're correct the thing does take off like a fighter jet, got some adrenaline to it, even the descent is crazy, i flew it once and i'll never forget the experince.

[@avioesevoos]

The crew was amazing! Congrats! 🇿🇼 ✈️❤️

[@PaulJamu-w9t]

What a lovely bird

[@tom.jacobs]

Please don't retire now that you flown this one, lots of companies to check out. Your smile throughout the flight certainly infectious, only was expecting people applauding after touchdown, as i remember used to be the custom ;-)

[@abdullahgirgrah5086]

Great video Josh, I worked on Saudia Airlines 737-200 for several years as an avionics technician, it was a simple rigid aircraft . Abdullah. Jeddah

[@zenge.simakoloyi546]

That cockpit access was priceless !

[@cynthiachirinda5976]

So proud of our beautiful national bird, she has flown us near and far with exceptionally smooth landing experiences.

[@xxxxjet1982xxxx]

Got to fly a 200 when I was a kid when my dad took me on a mystery flight with Ansett. Was invited to the cockpit during the flight. Life was better back then when before September 11.

[@briantampa1164]

Fun fact: The engines (JT8D) on the 737-200 were also used on the MD 80 and the 727. They are extremely loud but music to an av-geeks ears.

[@mrman-gb6uz]

The old reliable Pratt & Whitney engines. Back when watching a takeoff, you could see trails of black smoke coming from the engines which sounded like rockets taking off. The good old days of aviation.

[@khakiswag]

I remember flights in the back of MD 80s and the headaches after landing.

[@chrisprieur270]

I've been in the back of a few 727's and md80's. Permanent hearing loss is a real issue from three jt8d's around your head on the 727 and the md80 wasn't much quieter. Those were the good old days for sure.

[@AlfaGiuliaQV]

I recognized that sound from when i used to travel on Finnair´s MD-80 and DC-9 when i was a child in th 80´s, i knew it!

[@Aktik-Cat.]

@@khakiswag 😆😆neeeded to take a couple of panadol with you to swallow at landing

[@htn_dopekid]

You should have sat behind the wings for the landing and saw the engines open up to brake... super cool

[@FrankHamandsihe]

I can relate, what a mechanical feat to see old ingenuity at work in 2024. Amazing 👌🏾

[@davidpoonnoose]

As a child in India flew in the similar model in 1996 with Air India, back then Indian airlines it was called. The experience is nostalgic. Thanks

[@hughknight1057]

I flew on this jet on the then Uganda Airlines back in '94. So been down memory lane here as well. What an absolute gem of a jet. Lovely piece of history for you to intercept, finally! Great video!

[@admirendhlovu6001]

It's the same aircraft kkk

[@tendaimudarikwa3942]

Yes it's the same it was leased to Ugandan Airlines sometime back in the 90s

[@NotJuliaHerbert]

I last used it in 2003 to Harare. You made me miss home 🏠 this Xmas 🎄🎁

[@111Swissair]

I love ur videos Josh but I think you missed out on the opportunity to sit in the back for the landing 🛬 so that you could film the clamshell reverse thrusters in operation. That’s a beautiful site never to forget.

[@JoshCahill]

Yeah I was gonna think the same but I was excited that my mind was all over the place 😂

[@akkseljohansson3601]

I remember flying a South African 737-200. Pushback in CPT was done by the reversers only. So cool!

[@loseto61]

You were so excited to be on that aircraft that you said 727 instead of 737 a couple of times that's okay it's totally understandable

[@Robert-Selemani]

As a Zimbabwean 🇿🇼 who've flown in other countries' airline planes but never in a Zimbabwean airline plane, this made me proud and I've vowed to fly on this bird before its retired. Thank you Josh!

[@SilverfoxJB]

The flight crew were lovely. Great video Josh.

[@LyriqalFlame767]

Wow that's just awesome 🇿🇼❤️🇿🇼 the 737_200 is just a marvel... Lovely work there ❤

[@pilotblessed747]

Thank you Josh for honestly visiting our beautiful country. And flying with our wonderful Airline.

[@Angel-iw6zk]

Hey Josh👋🏽, I follow your YT channel & I’m still an aviation geek just like you, matey 😂. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that you’ve just flown into Harare (HRE) from Dar es Salaam (DAR) in one of the 3 fabulous 👌🏾 Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737-200s that I’d the immense pleasure to train on to operate as a Flight Attendant (Cabin Crew) from 1989 - 1999. I vividly remember my 1st day as a nervous Trainee Flight Attendant in February 1989 on a packed flight & the spooling up sounds of the Boeing 737-200 engines gave me goosebumps of sheer excitement upon takeoffs and landings. Despite receiving further training on other aircraft at the national flag-carrier over the years such as the Boeing 707 (albeit for a short stint before they were permanently grounded due to old age), Boeing 767, British Aerospace (BAe 146) and Fokker 50, I fell deeply in love ❤️with the Boeing 737-200 “tough cookie solid bird of the sky” type of aircraft to bits (I guess you could call it nostalgia 😜!). Admittedly, I’d the absolute pleasure to operate on the old livery Boeing 737-200s meticulously maintained by top notch aircraft pilots & engineers💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 (kudos to them!) at Air Zimbabwe on local & regional destinations encompassing Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, Durban, Lusaka, Lilongwe, Gaborone (charter flights in conjunction with Air Botswana), Maputo, Matsapha (near Manzini, in Swaziland [now eSwatini]), Windhoek, Nairobi & my favourite Indian Ocean island of Mauritius 🇲🇺. Most definitely, the Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737-200 planes paved way to embarking upon a beautiful chapter in my life, for which I’m eternally grateful 🙏🏽🥰. ***P/S: I’ve voted 🗳️ for you 👍🏽. Viel Glück 🍀 😂

[@abdhullahahmadh6078]

In 1984, I traveled in an Air Lanka 737-200 (Now Sri Lanlan Airlines) From Male' (Maldives) to Colombo Sri Lanka, and again in 1993 from Thiruvananthapuram (India) to Colombo SriLankan. Amazing airplane, climbs like a rocket.

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

Josh is going through the exact same experience that my son is going to go through on his first flight. The wonder in his eyes. Love it.

[@tvflight7858]

They haven't even retrofitted any FMCs! it has all the original autopilot and the instruments!

[@crabmaniac1]

It definitely does have FMCs but I believe this was an option for the -200ADV

[@tvflight7858]

@@crabmaniac1 20:06 that looks like some kind of a CIVA INS system to me on the left, on the right though I'm not sure, could be an updated WX radar or ACARS but it doesn't look like an FMS also based on the fact it has the OG AP pannel

[@Aspindaleroomsfurniture]

So happy for your Josh.. glad you are enjoying one of our 🇿🇼 Zimbabwean aviation gem!!💎

[@spenym14]

I remember seeing that vid with you and Noel in 2022 and glad to see that you got to fly on this piece of history

[@hansmuench6515]

I am so happy for you that you could have this experience! And I myself recall the early 80`s, when I flew around southern Africa on these planes which already then looked "old" - and one of them still flies today. Amazing! Also reminds me of my last flights on 727`s, DC-9 32 and 51 etc. Not to mention the DC-3 in Namibia and the HS 748 in what was then Rhodesia. All great memories! Thanks for what you are doing, we all appreciate.

[@ahoythespoonsareawake4617]

11:28 I’ve never moaned but (very Britishly) I’ve *thought* DON’T SKIP THE TAKE OFF. Thank you - MAGNIFICENT sound.

[@thibautvincent2976]

Finally, you did it! What a nostalgia this plane is. My very first flight was on a Sabena Boeing 737-200 between Brussels and Paris and the second between Paris and Toulouse with Air Inter on a Caravelle.

[@johnnyhazell]

This brings back memories of When we used to fly Air Malta for holidays. A great plane!!

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Glad you got to fly on your dream plane ride. 😊I remember the days of getting newspapers and magazines!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you grin so much!

[@christophersw8994]

Hi Josh! Super Tripreport! Much of an avgeek just as you are myself - and actively in the industry, working as instructor! Hats off to Air Zimbabwe for their openness and friendliness too. This is what excites young people to join this bustling industry, since the traveling public at large is no longer allowed access to the cockpit before or during the flight, after the disastrous events in New York City on the infamous 9-11 (Septemer 11, 2001). Had been a regular on the 737-030 during youthhood flying between my grandmother and UK boarding school /LHR-HAM-LHR, many jumpseat stays - some thru the landing! They were registered D-AB (weight classification MTOW > 20 tons/44000 lbs. = letter A after the dash, the "B" was Lufthansa's code for Boeing airplanes, followed by the "E" for the -030's, then each individual aircraft got its own last letter) - and I remember a lot of them: D-ABEL on a Milan/Linate-Duesseldorf-Hamburg in 1980, they served a full cold meal on the alpine crossing, ice cream mini nuggets on the 35 minute hop between DUS-HAM in those days...and in Economy! Quite a few travels on D-ABEO several times and others, and the airline did what they could to interest young people - I had a little green logbook from them for "Juniors" - so could post each flight. Who would have thought that the 737 would become Boeings bestseller? All based on an initial foreign order (it was never really called the -100 because the only reason it was built for - was Boeing Stammkunde Lufthansa, customer number 30)! They built 29 or 30 of those airframes in total. The last one flew for NASA but I believe it is now museum'ed. A lot of the airframes were handed off to PeopleExpress when 'Hansa rolled its fleet to the -230 advanced starting in 1982-83, I remember the farewell photos in "Der Lufthanseat" the internal employee gazette, which check in agents would quietly hand to a Luftfahrtbegeisteter (no 'geeks' in the 1980s...then) when I visited the old Munich-Riem airport - to view airplanes. The737 -200 program was one of Boeing's most successful airplane programs ever, especially after production ended on the "three-holer" (727) which sold, IIRC 1784 airframes. Boeing hesitated on the Lufthansa order alone but went ahead with production of the 737 after United committed to a much larger order on the slightly stretched version dubbed the -200 around the time I was born in 1967, first flight in 1968. A lot of engineering went into the tailpipe "mixer" (not visible from the outside) in the early 1980s to try and make the newer production aircraft noise-compliant to "Stage III", always an issue in Europe, making the -200 a "200 advanced", and I would not be surprised if the Air Zimbabwe individual specimen met those specifications too. Many "still good" ones were retired and chopped up for not being able to meet enhanced noise compliance regulations of the late 1990s without major re-engineering usually exceeding the residual value of most airframes. Supplemental changes and modified type certificates take time and cost a lot of $$$$ I overheard the airframe only has 40,000 hours... short haul aircraft age based on the amount of cycles rather than flight hours, a cycle defined as a takeoff, pressurization cycle to cruise altitude in the 30,000s of feet followed by a landing and depressurization. The airframe expands in flight as pressure inside the airplane is relatively higher than ambient pressure at altitude, then contracts back to its design dimensions once on the ground. So by virtue of its principle, the airframe must continuously be maintained with full overhauls every 5-6 years or so ("D-check", costs several $mm - where the main load bearing element, the "skin" of the fuselage is completely replaced). To give you an idea: the "Aloha" airframe that lost a large portion of its cabin roof had gone through 93,000 cycles! Anyway, appreciate your productions, I've been following you for around 3 years now, but also Noel Phillips and "nonstop Dan". In all likelihood will bump into one of you eventually, tho most of my flights are visiting family... Keep up the enthusiasm - I understand the transition between climates and trip preparation takes a toll on y'all - but thank you again - Chris aus Connecticut

[@craigwhite3619]

as a united airlines employee of 33 years i’ve flown on many classic 737-200s. before that i flew on classic frontier 737s. out of the old denver stapleton airport. great memories. thanks for the video.

[@MarcovandenHout]

I would assume the 738 (NG) has the best statistics, but I wouldn't hesitate to fly this wonderful bird with this crew. They seem both capable and in a happy place, which is essential for safe flying.

[@virimayieliasnzira5662]

Proudly Zimbabwean 🇿🇼 🇿🇼 🇿🇼 Nice piece of work, Josh. Keep it up!

[@danielsrandomchannel1472]

Very cool that you flew that plane! Also, I’ll always respect you more than Sam Chui. You are a legend.

[@ejvibez]

From @4:57 , I almost dropped a tear. 737-200 is vintage and keeping it running is exclusive excellence. Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 I love you. ❤.

[@Andreas27696]

6:28 Josh being totally stunned he finally made it. Meanwhile me seeing the background: "A pizza hut, A pizza hut, Kentucky fried chicken & A pizza hut....." 😂

[@renardfranse]

Josh, I can honestly say I have NEVER seen you so happy!!! BRAVO

[@DomesticDave]

Josh, you are now the official "Francis (trainspotter) Bourgeois" of the aviation world. Congratulations.

[@JoshCahill]

That's a title I happily claim :)

[@michaelzoeller9552]

Yes that’s what I thought

[@DomesticDave]

@@JoshCahill you just need a 360 head cam 😂

[@ThatCodeBlue]

Mate! Your complete joy and excitement is everything! You could practically be an honorary citizen of great countries all over. You lifted my spirits today.

[@brittsaunders4621]

Very cool video! The 732 is such a throwback to my childhood; I flew on them numerous times since they were so prolific during the 1970s and 1980s in particular, which were my early flying years (I was born in 1968). Western, United, Pacific Southwest, Southwest, America West were among the carriers that flew them that I had occasion to travel with. That was some great coverage of the takeoff roll; however, one pretty cool thing anyone seated by a window behind the wing would get to see is the deployment of the clamshell thrust reversers on landing; you can see the entire process from actuation to retraction. I always thought it was neat. The only thing I know about the -100 is that it had short exhaust pipes on the engines, and I don't think they had reverse thrust.

[@RyanBomar]

I have a ton of B732 rides ranging from Southwest, America West, Aloha, Western & Casino Express, and probably some I'm forgetting right now. I have two flights on a 737-112, N708AW (the Phoenix Suns painted aircraft). It was 1998 or 1999, LAX-PHX-LAX. One of the most incredible flights of my life, although it wasn't crazy different than the -200 model on the inside. I always recall being fascinated by the buckets on the original series after landing, and always sat at the trailing edge of the wing, because those JT8D's roared & had me hooked. Thanks for taking us along, such great memories!

[@joaorodrigues4494]

Josh, one of the first planes I remember flying in was a L-1011. At the time, it was the coolest thing ever to see an engine on the tail of a plane

[@Plen3716]

If only the l1011 was more successful. A market with Lockheed in it would be pretty cool.

[@surjayanbanik5975]

12:34 your smile was really adorable like a kid sitting on a plane for the first time 😊

[@Ulkian]

I hardly remember seing you so giddy about a plane, great video 😁👍!