Boeing
B307
Stratoliner

Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Chantilly, Virginia
First flown in late 1938, the Boeing 307 was the first airliner with a pressurized fuselage. It could carry 33 passengers in great comfort and cruise at 6,096 meters (20,000 feet), while maintaining a cabin pressure of 2,438 meters (8,000 feet). This enabled the Stratoliner to fly above most bad weather, thereby providing a faster and smoother ride.

The Stratoliner incorporated the wings, tail, and engines of the Boeing B-17C bomber. The wide fuselage was fitted with sleeper berths and reclining seats. Ten Stratoliners were built. The prototype was lost in an accident, but five were delivered to TWA and three were purchased by Pan American Airways. TWA owner Howard Hughes purchased a heavily modified version for his personal use. The airplane displayed here was flown by Pan American as the Clipper Flying Cloud. Boeing restored it in 2001.

SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  32.7 m (107 ft 3 in) Maximum speed:  396 km/h (246 mph)
Length:  22.7 m (74 ft 4 in) Cruising speed: 
Height:  6.3 m (20 ft 9 in) Range: 
Empty Weight:  13,749 kg (30,310 lb) Service ceiling: 
Gross Weight:  19,051 kg (42,000 lb)  
Crew: 
Engines:  4 Wright GR-1820 Cyclones, 900 hp
   
SOURCE:  Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum