The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was airliner version of the 367 Boeing Stratofreighter, which in turn was the transport version of B-29 Superfortress. It first flew on July 8, 1947.

It was generally considered the greatest airliner in the air before the coming of the 707 and was the flagship of the Pan Am fleet. Its spiral staircase inspired the one on the 747.

Operated by

• BOAC
• Pan American World Airways
• Transocean Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• United Airlines

(Order by Scandinavian Airlines System canceled. Planes went to BOAC.)

General characteristics

• Powerplants: Four 3500hp (2610kW) Pratt & Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radials; four bladed propellers.
• Performance: Max speed 326kt (603km/h); max cruise 295kt (547km/h); normal cruise 261kt (483km/h); service ceiling 32,000ft (9754m); max range 3650nm (6760km).
• Weights: Empty 37,876kg (83,500lb); max takeoff 67,133kg (148,000lb).
• Dimensions: Wing span 43.05m (141ft 3in); length 33.63m (110ft 4in); height 11.66m (38ft 3in); wing area 164.3m² (1769sq ft).
• Accommodation: Up to 100 passengers on main deck plus 14 in lower deck lounge; typical seating for 63 or 84 passengers or 28 berthed and five seated passengers.
• Production: 56 Model 377 Stratocruisers (plus 888 military Model 367/K/C-97).

Reference

• Wilson, Stewart. Airliners of the World. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 1999.

External links

• The Aviation History On-Line Museum - Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/377.html)
• California Classic - The Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser (http://www.calclassic.com/b377.htm)
• Boeing 377 - Stratocruiser (http://www.ovi.ch/b377/index.html)