englishelectric
4 HN mentions · mentioned in 4 months, 2010–2019
1:44 · 4.1M views · Mar 31, 2007
Footage of Boeing test pilot Tex Johnson barrel-rolling the Boeing 707 prototype over Lake Washington, followed by his explanation of the stunt.
HN cites it as a famous bit of aviation history showing the roll was a gentle 1G maneuver and salesmanship.
4 comments from Hacker News
Similar video with a test pilot pushing a 707 pretty hard. Includes a barrel roll, which isn't hard on the aircraft, but unusual to see with a passenger aircraft. this video The 707 was pretty similar to the 737...same main fuselage dimensions, similar pax capacity, etc.
What were you doing Tex? I was selling airplanes. this video Here's Boeing, doing a 'near vertical' takeoff in the Dreamliner (spoilers: not really but still impressive), also presumably selling airplanes. [LINK]
I am not at all familiar with aircraft, but in the video were Tex Johnson talks about doing the barrel roll, he literally says it is a 1G maneuver. this video
The article on rolls: "but if you ignore convention, you can fly them in any airplane, including a Boeing 737" or a 707: this video