BOEING 377 STRATOCRUISER
Jagriti Srivastava
Pan Am Stratocruiser Clipper Seven Seas arriving at London Heathrow in September 1954.
Role Airliner
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight July 8, 1947
Retired 1963
Status Retired
Primary user Pan Am
Number built 56
Developed from Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter
The Boeing 377, also called the Stratocruiser, was a large long-range airliner built after World War II. It was developed from the C-97 Stratofreighter, a military derivative of the B-29 Superfortress used for troop transport. The Stratocruiser's first flight was on July 8, 1947.
Released in the late 1940s, the aircraft was powered by four piston engines, driving tractor propellers. It had a pressurized cabin, which was a relatively new feature to transport aircraft at the time, and two decks. Airlines were able to make transoceanic flights easier and faster with the new aircraft, which enabled easier international travel to places such as Hawaii.
Nevertheless, the Stratocruiser was considerably more expensive to buy and operate than the competing Douglas DC-6 and Lockheed Constellation. Moreover, they had mediocre reliability, said to be chiefly due to chronic problems with the four 28-cylinder Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major radial engines and their associated four-blade propellers. As a result, only 55 Stratocruisers were built for airlines.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Like the C-97, the 377 was developed towards the end of World War II by grafting a large upper fuselage onto the lower fuselage and wings of the B-50 Superfortress, the high-performance evolution of the B-29 Superfortress bomber. The 377 was larger and longer-ranged than the Lockheed Constellation and Douglas DC-6. Production ended in 1950.
The "inverted-figure-8" double-deck fuselage design provided 6,600 ft³ (187 m³) of interior space where the lower deck had a smaller diameter than the upper deck. It had seats for over 100 passengers or sleeping berths for up to 28 berthed and five seated passengers. It first flew on July 8, 1947.Pressurization (previously introduced on the Boeing Stratoliner and also designed into the B-29) allowed sea-level cabin pressure at 15,500 ft (4,700 m) altitude. At 25,000 ft (7,600 m) "cabin altitude" was 5,500 ft (1,700 m).
OPERATIONAL HISTORY
Despite a service record remembered for one or two early disasters arising from a propeller design fitted to the Stratocruiser in its earlier years, the Boeing 377 was one of the most capable of post-war propeller-driven transports, and certainly among the most luxurious. A total of 56 aircraft were built consisting of one prototype later reconditioned, and 55 built for airlines. Hundreds more of this general design, with engineering differences, were built as KC-97 tankers and C-97 military transports.
The Stratocruiser flew premier services to Hawaii, across both oceans, and elsewhere in the world. It was one of the few airliners with a double-decker seating arrangement (another was the French Breguet Deux-Ponts) until the 747, though some airlines did have lower-level lounges on their L-1011 Tristar aircraft. The upper deck was for 55–100 passenger seats or 28 sleeper berths, while the lower deck had a lounge and bar. Passengers could walk down and get a drink on the long flights, once the plane levelled off at cruising altitude.
In 1953 "United's Ray Ireland... described the Stratocruiser as unbeatable in luxury attraction but is uneconomical. Ireland said PAA's Stratocruiser competition to Hawaii induced United to buy the plane originally."
In the early 1960s these planes were starting to become superseded by jets such as the de Havilland Comet, Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. A few survived to be sold to smaller airlines, used as freighters or converted into a specialised freighter called a Guppy. As the airlines began to upgrade so did the militaries that were using them. The Boeing 377 was primarily used in only two militaries, the US and Israeli, both of which began buying jet engine aircraft and replacing their 377s.
VARIANTS
377-10-19
Prototype Stratocruiser. Only one example constructed. Was later brought up to 377-10-26 standard and sold to Pan American World Airways in 1950.
377-10-26
20 aircraft delivered to Pan American World Airways with round windows and a rear galley.
377-10-26
10 aircraft refitted with more powerful engines and a larger fuel capacity for transatlantic operations. Called the "Super Stratocruiser".
377-10-28
Four aircraft ordered by the Scandinavian Airlines System, but taken up by BOAC instead after SAS cancelled the order. Aircraft had similar features to the 377-10-26.
377-10-29
Eight aircraft originally delivered to American Overseas Airlines with round windows for the main cabin and rectangular windows for the lower cabin as well as an aft galley.
377-10-30
Ten Aircraft built for Northwest Orient Airlines with all rectangular windows and an aft galley.
377-10-32
Six aircraft built for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). Featured a midships galley and all cabin windows were circular.
377-10-34
Seven aircraft built for United Air Lines. Featured rectangular windows for the main cabin and circular windows for the lower cabin. Aircraft were later sold to BOAC.
377F
Freighter conversion.
377M
In the early 1960s, the Israeli Air Force wished to upgrade to the C-130 Hercules which could lift larger payloads, but it was expensive and sales were embargoed by the United States. Instead, Israeli Aircraft Industries at Ben Gurion International Airport offered to modify Boeing 377 Stratocruisers it had with a stronger cabin floor which could handle cargo, plus a C-97 military Statocruiser tail section, which included a clam shell cargo door. These were dubbed Anak (or Giant in Hebrew) and served starting in 1964. Three of these were modified by the use of a swing tail section, similar to the Canadair CL44D-4 airliner. Two others served as aerial tankers with underwing hosereel refuelling pods. Two others were ELINT-platforms for electronic reconnaissance, surveillance and ECM-missions (ECM-Electronic Counter Measures). These were later joined by four KC-97G's with the flying boom system.
AERO SPACELINES GUPPY
The Pregnant Guppy heavy lifter.
In addition to the Israeli Anaks a company called Aero Spacelines was converting old 377s to aircraft called Guppys in the 1960s. There were three types: the Pregnant Guppy, Super Guppy, and Mini Guppy.They had an extension to the top of the fuselage to enable them to carry large aircraft parts between manufacturing sites.
The first of these was the Pregnant Guppy, followed by the Super Guppy, and finally the Mini Guppy. The Super Guppy and the Mini Guppy were both powered by turboprop engines.
Aero Spacelines 377PG Pregnant Guppy
Conversion done to one 377-10-26, incorporating an enlarged upper deck and a fuselage lengthened by 16 feet to carry sections of the Saturn V rocket. One converted.
Aero Spacelines 377SG Super Guppy
A single heavy-lift transport similar to the Pregnant Guppy constructed by Aero Spacelines. The aircraft contained parts of a YC-97J Stratofreighter and a 377-10-26 mated with a larger main fuselage, larger tail and Pratt & Whitney T34 turboprops.
Aero Spacelines SGT-201 Super Guppy Turbine
Originally designated the 377SGT, it was similar to the 377SG but with a more aerodynamic fuselage, a Boeing 707 nosewheel, wings stretched by 23 feet, and four Allison 501-D22C turboprops. There were four built, and they were used by Airbus to transport aircraft parts between its factories. In the 1990s Airbus retired them due to rising operational costs and they have been replaced with Airbus Belugas. Three of the former Airbus Industrie Super Guppys remain in the U.K., Germany, and France, while the fourth aircraft was acquired by NASA as part of a barter agreement with ESA for its role as a partner with the International Space Station.
Aero Spacelines 377MG Mini Guppy
Conversion of a 377-10-26, it featured a larger main cabin for oversize cargo, stretched wing and a hinged tail.
Aero Spacelines MGT-101 Mini Guppy Turbine
Originally designated the 377MGT. Similar to the 377MG but powered by Allison 501-D22C turboprop engines. One built.
OPERATORS
Ecuador
Línea Internacional Aérea
Israel
Israeli Air Force
United Kingdom
British Overseas Airways Corporation
United States
American Overseas Airlines
Northwest Orient Airlines
Pan American World Airways
Transocean Air Lines
United Airlines
Venezuela
Rutas Aéreas Nacionales SA
Denmark Sweden Norway
Scandinavian Airlines System (aircraft not delivered - passed to BOAC)
SPECIFICATIONS:
General characteristics
Capacity: 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.
Length: 110 ft 4 in (33.63 m)
Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m)
Height: 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)
Wing area: 1769 ft² (164.3 m²)
Empty weight: 83,500 lb (37,876 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 148,000 lb (67,133 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines four-bladed propellers, 3,500 hp (2,610 kW) each
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 375 mph (603 km/h)
Cruise speed: 301 mph (483 km/h)
Range: 4,200 mi (3,650 nmi, 6,760 km)
Service ceiling: 32,000 ft (9,800 m)
Max cruise: 340 mph (547 km/h)
During the early 1960s, Aero Space Lines ballooned the Stratocruiser's fuselage into a whale-like shape to carry spacecraft sections. Nine of the variants were assembled. The first was called the "Pregnant Guppy," followed by five larger "Superguppies" and three smaller "Miniguppies." In the process, one of the most elegant airplanes in the sky became one of the ugliest.
MORE SPECIFICATIONS
First flight: July 8, 1947
Model number: 37
Classification: Commercial transport
Span: 141 feet 3 inches
Length: 110 feet 4 inches
Gross weight: 145,000 pounds
Top speed: 375 mph
Cruising speed: 300 mph
Range: 4,600 miles
Ceiling: More than 33,000 feet
Power: Four 3,500-horsepower P&W R-4360 Wasp Major engines
Accommodation: 55 to 100 passengers and attendants
MODELS:
FS2004/FS2002 United Air Lines Model 377 Stratocruiser. Greg Pepper has painted his 377 into United's classic paint scheme of the 50's. This is the later white top version - early on they were painted with bare metal tops. These planes flew on United's routes from California to Hawaii, and were the most luxurious planes in United's fleet. They were sold in 1954 to BOAC, due to high operating costs, and the arrival of the DC-7's. Comes complete with panel and sounds. Last updated on 1/17/13.
FS2004/FS2002 Pan American World Airways Model 377 Stratocruiser. Dave McQueen and Rui Cristina have repainted Greg's new Stratocruiser into the classic Pan American colors. It looks great, doesn't it? Pan American used these on their premier routes, primarily trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific runs. They were the height of luxury - a time that is long past. Thanks, Dave and Rui! Part of a PAA/TALOA combined package (17MB). Use only the textures from this package and add to the Update Pack. Last updated on 6/27/03. FS2004 Radar equipped version painted by Wayne Tudor. Textures only - requires the Update Pack. Last updated on 4/25/05. The update pack also includes flight dynamics for a PAA Super Stratocruiser, if desired.
FS2004/FS2002 Transocean Model 377 Stratocruiser. Transocean operated 8 of the 14 ex-BOAC Stratocruisers they owned from 1958-1960 on international and domestic supplemental routes. However, their high operating costs did not help in the low cost supplemental market! Dave McQueen and Rui Cristina painted Greg's new Strat into bright Transocean colors. Thanks again! Part of a PAA/TALOA combined package (17MB). Use only the textures from this package and add to the Update Pack. Last updated on 6/28/03.
FS2004 Pan Am Model 377 Stratocruiser. Wayne Tudor has repainted Greg's Stratocruiser into the modernistic Pan Am colors that the Strat's wore just prior to retirement. Thanks, Wayne! Textures only - requires the Update Pack. Last updated on 4/5/05. Radar equipped version painted by Wayne Tudor. Textures only - requires the Update Pack. Last updated on 4/25/05. The update pack also includes flight dynamics for a PAA Super Stratocruiser, if desired.
FS2004 United Model 377 Stratocruiser. Wayne Tudor has painted the Strat into the bare metal delivery colors of United. They flew for most of their time at United in these colors between California and Honolulu. Thanks! Textures only - requires the Update Pack. Last updated on 4/5/05.
FS2004/FS2004 BOAC Model 377 Stratocruiser. Here's the Stratocruiser that's been painted into the classic conservative colors of British Overseas Airways. There are three different liveries included. Dave McQueen and Rui Cristina have done a great job! Thanks, guys! Use only the textures from this package and add to the Update Pack. Last updated on 8/3/03.
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE:
AD 58-19-02 HAMILTON STANDARD: Applies to All Hamilton Standard 2J17 Hollow Steel Propeller Blades installed on Boeing 377 Aircraft. Compliance required as indicated. Operators that are using or have used these blades learned through adverse experiences that exceptional maintenance procedures and repair techniques are required to assure the continued airworthiness of these blades. In order to preclude the possibility of additional adverse experiences occurring either under the supervision of the present operators or other operators who will acquire some of the involved aircraft, the following shall apply:
1. Not later than August 1, 1959, remove from service all 2J17 Series propeller blades.
2. Prior to August 1, 1959, no operator who has not had previous experience in the overhaul and maintenance of 2J17 Series propeller blades shall be issued a certificate of airworthiness for aircraft on which these blades are installed.
Regards,
Jagriti Srivastava [B.Tech ]
Web Developer / Blog Master
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