[Today, my interest was caught by a repaint, in the library, of a CSA Czech Airlines 737-400. CSA was the last to receive the Final two 737-400s from Boeing factory, and the 737-400 Reg. (OK-FGS), was actually the last 737-400 ever built. So, I wished to fly this one...but could not adapt this CSA repaint for my purpose, instead, I've chosen to fly, here, a Brussels Airlines 737-400, for this post, which airline was also a (prominent) past operator of the 737-400 variant.]

The -400 is an interesting 737 variant, that introduced many of us virtual flyers, and aspiring wannabe jet-pilots to 737-flying so-to-speak... virtually, of course...I am thinking of that (stock) Boeing 737-400 in FS9 (or possibly even earlier), for those who might recall from the old times... (though, openly admitting of the association (or not), is a matter of personal discretion...🙂...). Anyway, I recall, once past a few Lessons (accompanied by occasional admonishments), in that SIM, with the congenial (instructor) Rod Machado, while flying planes such as the Cessna 172, in the neighborhood of Boeing's birthplace, I thought I was ready (and overdue) for the big iron of the SIM...the Boeing 737-400 twinjet...🙂...I do remember the excitement of advancing the throttles, for the first time, on that 734, as the (virtual) Jet began to (most impressively) rumble down the runway...btw, this was before PMDG would create their first 737s for FS9 in 2 B2B (NG) Packs, I believe, (600/700 first and 800/900 next) ...giving us the first "authentic" taste of 737...on our desktop...

The "400" may not have been the most popular in the 737 Classic series (that was, by far, the "300"), but it's a most significant plane in the 737 evolution, because it was the odd-one-out in the Classics...the largest and longest plane within the Classics, with the most capacity (its aim was to fill the void and niche till the 757-200). In fact, it was considered long enough to be the first 737 to merit the added safety of a "Tail Skid", that would become standard on other (longer) 737 variants (800/900/-8/-9/-10). Below, if you look hard, you may be able to spot the "Tail Skid" device (a slight protuberance) underneath the rear fuselage, in a few of my pictures. The -400 would be eventually replaced, not by any of the immediately upcoming (500/600/700) variants, but only by the hugely popular 737NG that we have come to know so well, the "800". Regarding avionics, e.g., the 737-400 MCP/Autopilot, see close-up shots below, noticeably, no longer has those (autopilot) twin "paddles" of the (200Adv and early 300) variants, but "buttons" instead just like those on the NG, for engage/disengage of AP. So, this MCP set the look and feel that would carry over to the 737NG, except it does not have the EFIS panels on the sides, as the NG does. 

Additionally, and more significantly, Boeing and Honeywell introduced the very first FANS 1-capable FMC on the 747-400 (see the pop-up of the FMC, below, in shot #1). I read, "FANS design is a range of Future Air Navigation System (FANS) products that allows aircraft to be seen by ATC in areas where radar is not practical...". It's well-known how the Alaska Airlines Pilots, with the aid of this powerful 737-400 FMC, pioneered many novel (RNAV/RNP) techniques, on the -400 (-300 too), for approach to challenging Rwys (e.g., Juneau/PAJN Rwy 26, an impossibly difficult mountainous approach, became the poster child for such FAA-approved certifications) ...

Here, in this post, I've chosen Brussels Airlines 737-400, flying a short and simple flight between EDDF (Frankfurt) and LKPR (Prague), basically an almost straight (West to East) route, see the MAP shot. Frankfurt is the only city in Germany, I'm a bit familiar with, mostly via transiting through EDDF, plus a couple of times touring the city...Below, I noticed e.g., the (iconic) Europaturm Tower (Frankfurt), I believe, in a few screenshots of the 737 (see nearabout the tail-ends during the lift-off shots). My destination for this flight is Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. This (legacy) 737-400 SIM has an adequate FMC, that supports LNAV/VNAV guidance, along with good-looking EADI/EHSI/MAP displays on the deck (see below), plus ability to directly upload the Route seen in the MAP. At LKPR/Prague, I've landed on ILS Rwy 06. In the Final shots, I've left you with a couple of twilight images of the Prague Airport... (time to explore this beautiful and historic city...🙂...) ...

It was all a bit of good learning and fun with this 737-400...and I hope you enjoy these pictures of this "Classic" (and significant) 737 variant, that had first introduced many of us to the "737" in the SIM, but now mostly gone from both the real (and virtual) skies...There are RW 734s surviving still with a few select operators (reportedly 74 examples of the -400 still flying today). The last two 737-400s (built) were delivered to CSA Czech Airlines on February 28, 2000. If you wish to see a (RW) image of the very last 737-400 built (also the last ever 737 Classic built), please search for "The Last Classic 737-400 OK-FGS"...

Thanks for your interest...!!

Edited August 13, 20223 yr by P_7878

Great set of shots as always! 😉 

Interesting post. You had to go back a way for this. 🙂

John

Excellent post !! . 

These are some pictures I took at work recently when I got the chance to see a 400 freighter which I thought I'd never see. Configured to carry horses too...

Folks:

Many thanks...!!

 

8 hours ago, threegreen said:

These are some pictures I took at work recently when I got the chance to see a 400 freighter which I thought I'd never see. Configured to carry horses too...

Indeed, it's fascinating to see these RW pictures of an actual and operational 737-400....Carrying both Cargo (horses included...🙂...) and Pax....Looks like this is a former Alaska Airlines a/c... (thanks much for sharing the photographs...) ...!!

Great story and pics, P_7878 !!

4 hours ago, bernd1151 said:

Great story and pics, P_7878 !!

Thank you, bernd,....(so my identification of "The Europaturm"...wasn't incorrect...🙂...not been to Frankfurt (or via EDDF) since ages...memory of it is fading a bit...) ...

1 hour ago, P_7878 said:

.(so my identification of "The Europaturm"...wasn't incorrect...🙂...not been to Frankfurt (or via EDDF) since ages...memory of it is fading a bit...)

Hahaha, no it wasn't incorrect 😄

Nice set of shots and some informative text !

cheers 😉