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Boeing C-75 'Stratoliner'

Description
  Manufacturer:Boeing
  Base model:C-75
  Designation:C-75
  Nickname:Stratoliner
  Equivalent to: Model 307
  Designation System:U.S. Air Force
  Designation Period:1925-1962
  Basic role:Transport
  Crew:5
  First Flew:1938/12/31

Specifications
  Length: 74' 4" 22.6 m
  Height:20' 9" 6.3 m
  Wingspan: 107' 3" 32.6 m
  Wingarea: 1,486.0 sq ft 138.0 sq m
  Empty Weight: 30,310 lb 13,746 kg
  Gross Weight: 42,000 lb 19,047 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 4
  Powerplant: Wright GR-1820
  Horsepower (each): 900

Performance
  Range: 2,390 miles 3,848 km
  Cruise Speed: 220 mph 354 km/h 191 kt
  Max Speed: 246 mph 396 km/h 214 kt
  Climb: 1,200 ft/min 365 m/min
  Ceiling: 26,300 ft 8,015 m

Known serial numbers
42-88623 / 42-88627

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Pima Air & Space MuseumTucsonArizona


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Andy Prawitz
 Burlington, IA
5 of these airplanes were 'impressed' (read:drafted) for service in World War II ALONG WITH THEIR CIVILIAN FLIGHT CREWS!!Each was painted OD/Grey and given an Indian name(Apache,Cherokee,Navajo,Comanche and Zuni)Before the C-75's were returned to their private owners, they completed some 3,000 ocean crossings and logged more than 45,000 hours in flying to every corner of the world.
03/05/2010 @ 05:02 [ref: 25821]
 Nelson Ketch
 Wade, ME
Do a search on cosmic muffin, the name of the houseboat that was Howard Hughs plane, it has some more history on the plane. A few weeks ago I was in the Smithsonian and saw the 307 on display, It has to be the nicest looking plane ever built.
06/07/2007 @ 10:55 [ref: 16771]
 russell.p
 , VA
The last remaining Stratoliner is now on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum Dulles Annex. (http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/boeing_307.htm)
07/24/2004 @ 23:28 [ref: 7899]
 The Boeing Company
 Chicago, IL
The Model 307 Stratoliner was the world’s first high-altitude commercial transport and the first four-engine airliner in scheduled domestic service. With names like Rainbow, Comet, Flying Cloud and Apache, the Stratoliner set new standards for speed and comfort.

Its pressurized cabin allowed the airplane to soar above rough weather at an altitude of 20,000 feet — higher than any other transport of its time. Its circular fuselage provided maximum space for the five crew members and 33 passengers. The nearly 12-foot-wide cabin had space for comfortable berths for overnight travelers.

The Stratoliners attracted the attention of multimillionnaire Howard Hughes, who bought one for himself and transformed it into a “flying penthouse” with a master bedroom, two bathrooms, a galley, a bar and a large living room. Hughes sold it to a Texas oil millionnaire, and it ended its days as a palatial, Florida-based houseboat.

The Stratoliner was the first airplane to have a flight engineer as a member of the crew. The engineer was responsible for maintaining power settings, pressurization and other subsystems, leaving the pilot free to concentrate on other aspects of flying the aircraft.

Boeing built 10 Stratoliners. In 1940, the 307s started flying routes to Latin America and from New York to Los Angeles. Production stopped at the onset of war, and five were drafted into the Army Transport Command as C-75 military transports.

First flight: Dec. 31, 1938
Model number: SA-307B and C-75
Classification: Commercial and military transport
Span: 107 feet 3 inches
Length: 74 feet 4 inches
Gross weight: 42,000 pounds
Top speed: 246 mph
Cruising speed: 220 mph
Range: 2,390 miles
Ceiling: 26,200 feet
Power: Four 1,000-horsepower Wright Cyclone engines
Accommodation: 5 crew, 33 passengers

Copyright © 2003 The Boeing Company - All rights reserved
02/16/2003 @ 14:20 [ref: 6326]

 

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