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.)

Specifications

General characteristics

• Wing span: 43.05m (141ft 3in)
• Length: 33.63m (110ft 4in)
• Height: 11.66m (38ft 3in)
• Wing area: 164.3m² (1769sq ft).
• 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.

External links

• The Aviation History On-Line Museum - Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
• California Classic - The Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser
• Boeing 377 - Stratocruiser