United Airlines B377 Stratocruiser (1:200)

The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was the commercial version of the C-97 Stratofreighter. The two-level 377 was pressurized and could accommodate 50 to 100 passengers. On long flights the aircraft could accommodate 28 upper and lower bunk units. This led to the aircraft being referred to as the Flying Hotel. The 377 was larger and could fly further than the Constellation or the DC-6 but the engines and complexity of the aircraft proved to be too costly to operate bringing production to an end in 1950.

Boeing B377 Stratocruiser c/n 15965 made its first flight on July 8, 1949 and was the first B377 for United Airlines. It was delivered on September 28, 1949 and registered as N31225 Mainliner Hawaii. In September 1954 United decided to sell all its B377s to BOAC and in December N31225 was sold and registered as G-ANTX RMA Cleopatra. In 1959 it was sold to Ghana Airways titles then sold to Transocean and after a couple of other owners eventually ended up being scrapped in 1964.

Specifications for the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser

First flight July 8, 1947

Number produced 56

Production ended - 1950

Accommodations
Main deck - Up to 100 passengers
Lower deck lounge 14 passengers
Typical seating 63 84 passengers
Converted to berths for long distance 28 + five seated

Performance
Engines (4) Pratt and Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines producing
3,500 hp each and powering four-bladed propellers
Maximum speed 375 mph (603 km/h)
Normal cruise speed 301 mph (483 km/h)
Maximum cruise 340 mph (547 km/h)
Range 4,200 miles (6,760 km) (3,650 nmi)
Service ceiling 32,000 ft (9,800 m)

Weight
Empty 83,500 lb (67,133 kg)
Gross 145,000 lb (65,770 kg)

Dimensions
Length 110 ft 4 in (33.63 m)
Wingspan 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m)
Height 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)