Jumbo by Scott Bateman — Book Review
A punchy, modern history of the Boeing 747 — from its audacious 1960s birth to the extraordinary jobs it’s done around the world.
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What it’s about
Jumbo tells the story of the Boeing 747 — the aircraft that arrived with such scale and confidence that it instantly became an icon. Bateman (a professional aviator and former 747 pilot) frames the 747 as more than “just a big plane”: it served Presidents as Air Force One, supported NASA missions, carried huge cargo, fought fires, and survived some genuinely nail-biting incidents.
Why it stands out
Written by someone who flew it
Bateman’s background gives the book an “inside the cockpit” credibility without turning it into a dry technical manual.
Archive + interviews
The story is built using interviews and archive access, so it reads more like a fresh retelling than a recycled fact dump.
Who should buy it
- Aviation fans who love the 747’s design, history, and “Queen of the Skies” status.
- Engineering/tech readers who enjoy big-project stories (risk, scale, innovation, setbacks, triumphs).
- Travellers nostalgic for the golden age of wide-body flying.
- Gift buyers looking for a smart hardback for someone who’s impossible to buy for.
Book details
| Title | Jumbo |
|---|---|
| Author | Scott Bateman |
| Imprint | Michael Joseph (Penguin) |
| Publication date | 19 February 2026 |
| Format | Hardback |
| Length | 368 pages |
| ISBN | 9780241673287 (ISBN-10: 0241673283) |
FAQs
Is this a technical aviation book?
No — it’s written as a readable history and story of the aircraft, with a pilot’s perspective rather than a textbook feel.
Does it cover what made the 747 so important?
Yes — it focuses on the 747’s role as a cultural and technological icon, and the extraordinary missions it’s performed beyond passenger flying.
Is it good as a gift?
Absolutely. It’s a smart hardback topic that works for aviation fans, engineers, travellers, and anyone who loves “big project” stories.
Verdict
Jumbo is a proper love letter to one of the most iconic machines ever built — told with a pilot’s eye and a storyteller’s pace. If you want one aviation book that explains why the 747 mattered (and why people still get misty-eyed about it), this is the one.
