Boeing 747SP

The Boeing 747SP is a jet airliner, a variant of the Boeing 747. Compared to the original 747, the 747SP has a shortened fuselage. Because of this, it can carry fewer passengers, but is able to fly longer distances. The 747SP first flew in 1975 and entered service in 1976. A total of 45 747SPs was built until 1987.
Pan Am and Iran Air both requested an airliner that could fly long range. One 747SP was modified into the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).