IIRC, they had a lot of problems with engine failures, as the 747 really pushed engine technology and size at the time. Joe Sutter's book [1] is an interesting

IIRC, they had a lot of problems with engine failures, as the 747 really pushed engine technology and size at the time. Joe Sutter's book [1] is an interesting look at the history of the 747 design (he was the lead designer). There was also an issue with the wing resonating, which they fixed by putting trim weights in the wing of the 747-100 made of depleted uranium. [1] http://www.amazon.com/747-Creating-Worlds-Adventures-Aviation/dp/0060882425 http://www.amazon.com/747-Creating-Worlds-Adventures-Aviatio...