Boeing 247
The Boeing 247 was one of the first modern passenger airliners. Its first flight was on February 8, 1933 and entered service that same year. The aircraft incorporated many revolutionary features such as an all-metal monocoque fuselage, autopilot, and retractable landing gear.
76 aircraft were built: seventy of these were for United Airlines, four for Lufthansa, and two for the Republic of China. Many of United's aircraft were later purchased by Western Airlines. The new 247s were capable of crossing the United States from east to west eight hours faster than their predecessors, such as the Ford Trimotor and Curtiss Condor.
The 247 carried ten passengers, five rows with a seat on each side of the aisle, as well as a flight attendant. The wing's main spar went right through the cabin, so some passengers had to step over a large hump in the middle of the aisle to reach their seats.
On October 10, 1933, a United Airlines Boeing 247 was the victim of the first proven case of sabotage of a commercial airliner. The aircraft, en route from Cleveland to Chicago, was destroyed by a nitroglycerin-based explosive device over Chesterton, Indiana.
During World War II, United's 247s were converted into C-73 transport aircraft: these remained in the United States Air Force's inventory until the early 1960s.
There are currently four 247s left in the world: one of them, based at Paine Field in Snohomish County, Washington, has been restored to flyable condition. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC also has a 247 on display, as does Canada's National Museum of Science and Technology in Rockcliffe, and the Science Museum in Wroughton, England.
Specifications
- Boeing 247
- Wingspan: 74 ft (22 m)
- Length: 51 ft 7 in (15.5 m)
- Loaded weight: 13,650 lb (6,205 kg)
- Top speed: 200 mph (320 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 189 mph (305 km/h)
- Ceiling: 25,400 ft (7,620 m)
- Boeing 247D
- Length: 51 ft 5 in (15.7 m)
- Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m )
- Wingspan: 74 ft 1 in (22.6 m)
- Wingarea: 836.4 ft² (78 m²)
- Empty Weight: 8,921 lb (4,055 kg)
- Gross Weight: 16,770 lb (7,621 kg)
- Max Weight: 16,805 lb (7,623 kg)
- Propulsion
- No. of Engines: 2
- Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney S1H1-G Wasp
- Power (each): 550 hp (410 kW)
- Performance
- Cruise Speed: 188 mph (304 km/h)
- Max Speed: 199 mph (322 km/h)
- Climb: 1,148 ft/min (350 m/min)
- Ceiling: 25,387 ft (7,740 m)
Existing aircraft
Some existing 247s at museums:
| Serial | c/n | Info |
| CF-JRQ | 1699 | National Museum of Science and Technology, Rockcliffe, Canada. Donated to the Museum in 1967 by California Standard Oil of Calgary, Alberta |
| N18E | 1722 | Science Museum store, Wroughton, UK |
| N13347 | 1729 | Museum of Flight, Paine Field, Washington, USA. Airworthy |
| NC13369 | 1953 | National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC, USA. (Marked as NR257Y) |
See also
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