Tex Johnston rolls a 707

On August 7, 1955, Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston stuns the crowd at the Seafair Gold Cup hydroplane race on Lake Washington by barrel (or aileron) rolling the prototype Dash-80, the precursor to the Boeing 707, thus launching the era of the modern commercial jet. Johnston's co-pilot was Boeing test pilot James R. Gannett (1923-2006). (What Johnston did with the airplane was called a barrel-roll but some consider it an aileron roll in which a plane rotates on its long axis, rather than describing a "barrel" loop. However, unlike a conventional aileron, or snap, roll, Johnston maintained positive gravity through the maneuver.) Even Boeing President William Allen is taken by surprise as he escorts potential customers who are seeing the jet for the first time.
Flying at more than 400 miles per hour just 400 feet above the water, Johnston commenced a sudden ascent. The jet's swept-back wings spiraled as the 128-foot-long, 160,000 pound plane rolled, flying for a short time upside down. Then, for extra measure, Johnston performed a second barrel-roll. Boeing President Allen asked a guest with a heart problem if he could borrow his pills. The potential jet buyers were duly impressed.
By the time Johnston broke the transcontinental speed record in 1957 by flying from Seattle to Baltimore in three hours, 48 minutes, orders for the new 707 were pouring in.

[@TwoEyeCyclops]

When asked what he was doing, Johnston replied: "I'm sellin' airplanes!"

[@alcarez_z]

It’s a 1-g manoeuver - you know it, we know, don’t do that again. More or less. 😂

[@paidinfull4u]

It is real and he didn't die moments later. I met him personally at a Boeing Field Airshow celebrating the 30th anniversary of the A-6 Intruder which I flew in to the airshow. Although he didn't crash and die, he almost got fired. Boeing rethought firing him after those buyers who saw the amazing maneuver (a modified barrel roll) and bought massive amounts of 707s!

[@Dan.d649]

Tex Johnston was a REAL pilot, and we all admired him so much. The well known fact: "He sold airplanes". He sold them by the numbers!!!!

[@pavwgn]

Fascinating, in 1955 they were able to do that already, simply amazing pavwgn

[@joesmith389]

Technically any aircraft can handle a 1 G roll. Aerodynamics and physics apply the same regardless of size or type. Passengers wouldn’t even spill their coffee.

[@tpsossff]

707 was the best in its day and he was showing what it could do. For me it reassured me that the plane could take severe out of envelope situations and survive. It was a bloody good aircraft.

[@georgew.5639]

One of the most remarkable moments in aviation history.

[@strassj]

It is such honor to see those famous Boeing 707 and Tex! I wish those will be again because tech is improve so flim should be better to witness whole Barrel roll! But those old one is still proof well enough for everybody to believe.

[@crazysunami]

wow this is the highest quality video of the roll ive ever seen.

[@Bxdfoze]

For a video from 1955, it's in really good quality.

[@thelatiosmaster]

"What the hell were you doing!?" "Selling airplanes" 😎

[@gcmc2]

When the boss called him to the office he asked Johnson what he was doing up there and Johnson replied "selling planes". The boss had to agree but did say that the rolls won't be necessary in future airliner demo flights.

[@i7887]

I have a Bachelors in physics. G is defined as negative. A positive G means a force in the negative Y direction, which is down. Gravity doesnt care what orientation the plane is in. An aileron roll creates next to no force compared to gravity and the small forces created are opposite for each side of the cabin. So if the forces created were enough to overcome gravity, one side would be pushed down and the other shot up Once again, learn the difference between a barrel roll and an aileron roll.

[@gcmc2]

Yes, Tex told the story himself in a TV interview and I saw it here somewhere. This original prototype (the dash-80) was recovered from The National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC in 1990. A crew went to recover it, got it airworthy and set off for Seattle. Tex was invited and was on board the flight as were many other boeing people from the period. The old gal was restored and returned to the Smithsonian Aerospace museum in Aug 2003. Needless to say she looks like a million bucks !

[@bottomgunner]

@zimmermann10 No, that was not a fake. That barrel roll is what sold the plane. The pilot kept the plane flying with positive gravity. The plane didn't know it was upside down.Great pilot.

[@lynxzk2524]

He’s my great grandpa 🤫

[@dr.wilfriedhitzler1885]

Be proud of him. He is as famous as Neil Armstrong.

[@robertlight5227]

Tex, of course,Tex. I am sure he did a loud "YEEHAW" during the roll !

[@gcmc2]

I found the one where Tex tells the story here on youtube. Many have probably seen it but for those who haven't it's called "Boeing 707 roll by Test Pilot Tex Johnson" It also shows a photo the engineer took looking down at the ground from a window at the wing with the engine on top instead of underneath.

[@RyanSteenvlogs]

Tex Johnson is so awesome he barrel rolled into another dimension for 3 secomds

[@hadavisjr]

This is actual footage of Tex's roll maneuver--it's not fake. Further, it's a barrel roll, not an aileron roll--they are different. A barrel roll--performed correctly--is a constant 1-g maneuver flown about a point on the horizon, whereas an aileron roll is not necessarily a 1-g maneuver and it is flown around the longitudinal axis of the airplane itself.

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

@Dr.AllenDavis COMPLETELY FALSE! The manuver shown is a canopy roll or aileron roll. In the video where Tex is speaking, he says intended to perform a "Chandelle", or a "roll", but he NEVER SAID "barrel roll". Please read Wikipedia on what a barrel roll is. A barrel roll is performed around a point 45° off the current heading such that 90° of roll is accomplished when 45° of heading change is achieved. The roll is continued until 180° of roll is accomplished at 90° of heading change. The roll is further continued such that 270° of roll is accomplished as the nose passes back to the 45° mark off heading, and finally the aircraft returns to upright flight on original heading and at original airspeed or less. Barrel rolls have specific purpose in military flying, particularly in dogfighting, and also in formation flying. Before the advent of speed brakes, a barrel roll allowed you to bleed off excess airspeed in order to join up on your flight. Watch the opening scenes of "The Great Santini" to see how USMC F-4 Phantom IIs joined on each other, using barrel rolls to match airspeeds. Sorry! Tex DID NOT barrel roll his 707.

[@hitorque2734]

@@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547 Contrasting with all the YT gibberish about rolls, yours is the only correct description of a barrel roll I've run across. Anyone completing military flight training learned this description and performed this maneuver. The OP here sounds like he's at most a GA pilot whose total experience beyond straight and level is stall and spin recovery and whose knowledge of anything more is limited to what he's heard or read about.

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

@hadavisjr COMPLETELY FALSE! The footage clearly shows an AILERON ROLL! The nose of the aircraft points forward the entire time. The aircraft remains roughly on the same heading but loses altitude because it is a HUGE AIRLINER. In a Barrel Roll, the nose of the aircraft is pulled up, and then the aircraft is rolled around a vector pointed 45° above current altitude and 45° to the side of current course. All other things being constant, the aircraft returns to original course and altitude, but a few knots slower. Watch the opening scenes of "The Great Santini" if you want to see how and why Barrel Rolls were performed ... outside of ACM. Thirty years Naval Aviation career IMHO.

[@hadavisjr]

@@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547 Tell Tex Johnson that. It was a barrel roll. Are you a pilot, or did you copy and paste from Wikipedia?

[@hadavisjr]

@@hitorque2734 Military pilot for 27 years with 12K hours. Read the T-37 and T-38 training guides. I tried to be basic in my original post, seeing not everyone understands the langauage. Good grief!!!

[@timmiser]

Before Tex took off for this famous fly-by, there was a small contingent of media (reporters and photographers) there were to ride in the plane as passengers on this flight. Tex told the passengers what he was planning on doing and if anyone didn't want to be on that plane, now was the time to get off. Not a single passenger stepped off that plane prior to takeoff!

[@gcmc2]

Yes chi773guy, great old bird too. This was the main testbed for 707 development for 20 years. Most developments were tested on this before being applied to other craft. As you say it was KC-135 prototype and was always in cargo/utility configuration. Boeing had actually decided that passenger jet liners were not being well received and resigned themselves that it would be mainly a military craft. Then Pan Am placed an order for 20 in 1955 and things started to take off. The rest is history !

[@gchampi2]

WOW! I'd heard about this maneuver, and I've seen a photo taken by a journalist onboard the plane before, but this is the first I'd heard of anyone filming it. Incredible footage of some incredible flying! That said, I can't help but feel there's something inherently 'wrong' in seeing a large passenger jet pulling a move like that. Just kinda makes me nervous, I guess...

[@jtocwru]

It certainly looks sketchy, but remember that a barrel roll done properly is a low positive G maneuver, so it doesn't put any more stress on the structure than takeoff does, and fluids and items won't go floating up and out of where they should remain. Have you seen the Bob Hoover videos where he pours a glass of water while executing a barrel roll? It emphasizes that from the "perspective" of somebody sitting in the cabin, it would feel no different than the normal pressure you'd feel during takeoff and climb. There's no sensation of feeling sideways or upside down. Pretty cool.

[@hyungsup2]

@TV843 I think I would.... If we assume that the plane rolled at a constant 1g force downwards from the plane, the force of the lateral movements will exist. There are 3 directions of the force. It would only mean that we won't fall off the seat when the plane is upside down.

[@choppergirl]

I'd buy a ticket on a commercial flight if they offered this.... you can toss my cookies any day

[@nshire]

just. amazing.

[@JimmyNahlousVisuals]

SICK just what i wanted to see!

[@yoyoyoyoshua]

@LTSHater first the the KC-135 prototype was a 707 a 717 is a MD95 and second I've heard from tons of current and retired boeing enployeees that it was a 707.

[@CalPhotoGuy]

Actually, a barrel roll has a little rudder so you cut a circle in the air. An aileron roll or just "roll" is standard side pressure on the stick. Both of those maneuvers are performed after a very short pull up, which means you don't have to push on the stick at all. Usually, "snap roll" refers to a hard roll with rudder towards the same direction, pushing the tail out violently.

[@jetdriven]

actually a barrel roll involves rolling the aircraft around the axis of the roll, an aileron roll rolls the aircraft on the axis of the roll.

[@chi773guy]

gcmc2, i'm glad you mentioned that the plane which Tex Johnson barrel roled was the Dash 80. I started to correct some people he until I saw you mention it. The Dash 80 was the prototype to the KC-135. Us Crew Dawgs in the Air Force definitely hear about Tex Johnson and his barrel role. It's quite amazing to see.

[@rfswsi]

B-52 wing glued onto a commercial fuselage. How I long for the simpler times before we tried to reinvent the wheel over and over.

[@JetHawk]

Maybe on my next flight if everyone chants "do a barrel roll" maybe the pilot will do one.

[@WolksVagon449]

So awesome... SO AWESOME

[@roaklin]

"This is your Captain speaking, Chuck Norris wants to pour his soda in his glass, please stand by and fasten seatbelts."

[@MCMLXIXwasagoodyear]

"The Boeing 707 was America’s first passenger jet aircraft. Prior to the 707, which entered service in 1958, air travel was mostly limited to the affluent-and even they were hesitant about air travel’s safety. The 707’s in-service safety record and its economic characteristics quickly made travel more accessible and dependable. The 707 ushered in the Jet Age. But for Boeing, today’s leading aircraft manufacturer, developing the 707 was a big gamble. The 707 had no orders, and Boeing embarked on its development entirely on the wager of its prospective commercial success. When the aircraft’s design commenced in 1951, Boeing’s estimated development costs were $16 million. That was roughly 20% of the company’s value, and more than twice its yearly profits-nearly all of which originated from military contracts. Boeing built its first and only 707 prototype aircraft in 1955. The company’s leadership decided to show off the aircraft at Seattle’s Seafare Hydroplane races on August 7, 1955. The display plan was to have Boeing’s Chief Test Pilot, Alvin “Tex” Johnston, do one low pass over the racecourse so that the airline executives, industry pundits, and government officials who attended the high-profile event could witness Boeing’s new undertaking. Johnston had other plans. In his mind, the audience needed to be sold on the plane’s performance and safety. Seized by the impulse to flaunt the agility of the 707, Johnston had a little more in mind than just an unpretentious flyby. During the in-air demonstration, with the aircraft soaring over Seattle’s Lake Washington, Johnston suddenly pulled back on the controls, and the plane started to climb at a speed of 400 miles per hour. Then, he did a complete 360-degree roll and flew the plane upside down for a moment. As the crowd watched in shock and amazement, Johnston did a second barrel role. In the startled crowd was Boeing’s legendary president William “Bill” Allen. Allen, who had authorized no more than a simple flyby, thought that Johnston’s first barrel role was a mistake. When Allen witnessed the second barrel roll, he feared that either Johnston had lost his mind, or the aircraft was in grave trouble. According to Robert J. Sterling’s Legend & Legacy: The Story of Boeing and Its People (1991,) Allen summoned Johnston into his office the next day. Allen demanded an explanation and inquired why Johnston had foolishly risked the company’s only prototype. Pleased with his successful accomplishment, Johnston offered a simple explanation, “I was selling airplanes.” Johnston explained that he had previously tested barrel rolls on the prototype, and it was a safe maneuver. He hadn’t risked the aircraft at all. Allen reproached Johnston and told him that he appreciated the efforts, but Johnston was never to do anything that had not been approved previously."

[@UnravelingThread]

Barrel rolls are different than aileron rolls. The G force of the aileron roll if executed properly will be constant. Thats an aileron roll. You're not likely to rip anything off a 747 if you do it like that.

[@kinsley2108]

it has happened on a 747 already, but unfortunately half the tail and elevator flaps got ripped off, due to the speed it was traveling at. However, the pilots in the 747 did not do the roll intentionally, it was a design fault with one of the hydraulic components of the rudder. Amazingly they landed the plane in one piece and all the passengers were fine.

[@scottcox9108]

Pretty sure the type of roll was used to keep the fuel on the bottom of the tanks and keep the plane from starving for fluids. Not designed for inverted flight!

[@RMRockstar]

only someone with balls like tex johnston would fathom a maneuver like this in a 707...good stuff!!

[@i7887]

Exactly, so there isnt any force on them. Therefore they need a seatbelt. You are proving my point for me.

[@pinz2022]

In the interfview, Johnston made it clear that it was a 1G maneuver and well within the safety margin. It just looked hair-raising.

[@mickrussom]

@tpsossff This was not out of envelope. A properly executed barrel roll will result in the plane not recognizing the attitude due to being +1G (or slightly higher) through the roll.

[@gypsykingg]

its possible to pretty much role anything. but recovering from the role is a different story

[@tpsossff]

@mickrussom You are quite correct, my wording was not too good. In theory any aircraft can do such a roll providing it keeps positive G. Even negative G providing the fuel flow is not disrupted. Concorde did the manouvre a few times during flight testing.

[@CapitanPR]

The pilot later explained to the CEO that this was just a 1 G maneuver, thus maintaining a minimum load on the wind and control surfaces. Yet is scared the wits of everybody!

[@ubermom]

A 747? I'd heard of a commercial jet that was inverted by wind sheer and the pilot just continued the roll and managed to land the plane safely.

[@Fania54]

shutterbun: There ia actually quite a bit of info on Tex Johnston, a hero of mine....I was just reading his biography today. A hard cover book "Tex Johnston:Jet Age Test Pilot". Great book see if you can find a copy!

[@jbennett8000]

During normal flight, the plane equals the acceleration due to gravity inversely, so that altitude remains constant. Acceleration is 1G = (-1) G = 0G (0 ms^-2) When the plane is inverted, acceleration is 1g from gravity + 1G from "lift" from the wings, 2G. Acceleration of 1G towards the ground is freefall, ie weight = 0. So, minus the force due to gravity, 2G - 1G = 1G, and you see that there is still acceleration downwards, which PUSHES YOU INTO YOUR SEAT, even though you are inverted. Get it?

[@viewstuff36]

regular service commercial planes ought to do this every time they take off. It would put entertainment back into flying! Yee haa!

[@VIR092]

@hyungsup2 Actually, there were would be no transverse (sideward) force if the airplane maintains zero beta flight (no problem with good airspeed) throughout the maneuver, it's only normal acceleration. You could have people walking up and down the inside of the fuse and no one would come off the floor as along as you are at 1+ g. There's something to do: Have people get on a large bird, stand in the isleway and perform a barrel roll, that would be some fun.

[@WolfKotenberg]

@Tygersai a good barrel roll will not spill coffee ( or unload a toilet ). A lomcevak will.

[@jfprieur]

Sorry to break it to you but any plane can do a 1G barrel roll, no reason why an Airbus could not do it.

[@Tygersai]

@scarabmango You want to be the crew chief cleaning up the spilled-from-being-upside-down toilet? Didn't think so.

[@ltdc426]

The real question is could the planes built today do that?

[@VIR092]

@hyungsup2 In simple words, if you stood in the cabin of an airplane, the pilot then performed a barrel roll that was more than 1-g as you feel standing on the ground, you would not come off the floor. Sure, you would feel a sudden downward force from the initiation of the maneuver. Zero beta flight means no sideslip, if you perform a slip in an airplane (you kick the rudder), you'll feel like you're being pushed sideways in your seat (i.e. a lateral force) as you already I know I'm sure.

[@Ross3]

Peppy: Do a barrel roll!

[@Brenstar]

@4fifty8 oh my an aileron roll you say... have you ever tried a rudder or an elevator roll? heard those are amazing.

[@Cowcharge]

@hyungsup2 A barrel roll does not maintain a constant G-force.

[@i7887]

So therefore its not a aileron roll, but a barrel roll.

[@fai8t]

i thought you was before yesterday :)

[@i7887]

So gravity reverses itself while you are upside down and pushes you up against the seat. Makes perfect sense now....

[@laurentlaborde1196]

so it's been 4 years, did you get it now ? :)

[@blakegriplingph]

Press Z or R twice!

[@SpandexAttack]

just like I do in flight simulator

[@nihil1]

much better with this dark filter!

[@i7887]

Exactly, its not a barrel roll. Thats why you need a seatbelt.

[@i7887]

So you say pull back on the stick. That would be doing a barrel roll, not an aileron roll. That is what ive been saying the entire time.

[@AznCommie]

It's easy to do a barrel roll. All you have to do is press Z or R twice.

[@Cowcharge]

Aileron rolls and barrel rolls are not the same maneuver.

[@kinsley2108]

well, it is possible, but you probably won't be able to put the plane on the ground again

[@kriegmeister3000]

That's one way to sell a plane.

[@i7887]

The burden of proof is on the person making the claim. And you cant back it up because you know you are wrong.

[@CGagnon5]

just because it's physically possible doesn't make it easy. Are you a pilot?

[@4fifty8]

You don't need to have your seatbelt on if you do an aileron roll...

[@4fifty8]

It's funny because you don't have a clue what an aileron roll is. I've never needed a seatbelt when I've done them in the airplanes I've flown.

[@iamkoza]

DO A BARREL ROLL

[@i7887]

You have yet to answer my question.

[@cjnewson88]

aw i wanna it do a snap roll too :P

[@ubermom]

I'd heard that a pilot in a commercial jet (might have been a 707) hit some wind shear that inverted the plane and he just completed the roll. Anybody know anything on that?

[@i7887]

Apparently you dont know how gravity works. The 707 upside down for at least 2 seconds with a positive G force. Learn the difference between a barrel roll and an aileron roll before you talk.

[@xliver4]

@CCCrepresentative I'm sorry. A- AA- AILERON ROLL!

[@jetdriven]

no, airbus have flight envelope protection and wont let you exceed any limitation.

[@JCChainz]

WTF........totally speech less

[@roaklin]

I'm sorry did I miss the part where anyone asked for the technical aspects behind something called a joke?

[@cjnewson88]

wanna see it*

[@kingradon]

a barrel roll

[@WolksVagon449]

Jesus. That is not something that is supposed to happen.

[@Ugleskjegg]

@jgq85 A barrel roll?

[@muchogringo]

a barrel roll???

[@zcg3]

He almost got fired for this...

[@i7887]

Have fun hitting the ceiling.

[@darrylsh]

This made me laugh!

[@14MarcosSousa]

Mais louco que o Batman

[@i7887]

Explain to me where this magical force comes from that pushes you up into your seat while you are upside down for 2 seconds. Yea its the seatbelt.

[@4fifty8]

"The 707 upside down for at least 2 seconds with a positive G force." You clearly have no idea about physics or flying! The airplane when upside down definitely does have a positive G force - which is why you stay in your seat!

[@TheMissingno]

See how the airplane quickly loses altitude while it is upside down? there's your missing force.

[@77shadowknight]

id like to see an airbus do that

[@i7887]

Im not a pilot so I dont know what those terms mean. But I do know how forces work and you obviously dont. Now explain how you can be upside down for 2 second, with no upward force, and remain in your seat. Yea you cant. You still need to look up the difference between a barrel roll and aileron roll.

[@yoyoyoyoshua]

@DelNegro10 real

[@hyungsup2]

@VIR092 I don't think you're thinking through. I think you have to tell me what zero beta flight is because what you are explaining seems like a boring ride to me.... If you are having fun you have to be feeling a sudden force in a particular direction. What I've said is that people won't fall down from their seats but they won't be walking down the aisle as if you are in a commercial airline. That's what I want to say.

[@EricSymb]

he who invented the condoms jontex?

[@DancingSpiderman]

Tex? Hmmm... Playtex, or likely.