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.
Powerplants: Four 3500hp (2610kW) Pratt & Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radials; four bladed propellers.
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).
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)
Empty Weight: 37,876kg (83,500lb)
Max Takeoff Weight: 67,133kg (148,000lb).
Reference
Wilson, Stewart. Airliners of the World. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 1999.
The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was the airliner version of the 367 BoeingStratofreighter, which in turn was the transport version of B-50 Superfortress.
Despite serious design flaws and a marginal service record [1], the Stratocruiser was one of the great post-war propeller airliners.
The worst single accident occurred on April 29, 1952; separation of the number two engine and propeller from Pan Am Flight 202 caused it to crash in the jungle near Carolina, Brazil, killing all forty-one passengers and nine crew.
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