Boeing Model 247
Courtesy Boeing Museum of Flight and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Edited by David Barth November 2014. Photos are by David Barth except where noted.
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| Boeing Museum of Flight. |
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| Boeing Model 247. |
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| Boeing Model 247. |
The Boeing Model 247 was an early United States airliner, considered the first such aircraft to fully incorporate advances such as
- All-metal (anodized aluminum) semi-monocoque construction
- Afully cantilevered wing
- retractable landing gear
- control surface trim tabs
- An autopilot
- Deicing boots for the wings and tailplane
No significant changes to this basic formula appeared until cabin pressurization and high altitude flight were introduced in the early 1940s with the first pressurized airliner, the Boeing 307 Stratoliner.
| Boeing Model 247 CHARACTERISTICS |
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| ITEM | CHARACTERISTIC |
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| Role | Passenger Airliner
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| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Model | 247D |
| First Flight | February 8, 1933 |
| Introduction | May 22, 1933 |
| Primary User | Boeing Air Transport |
| Number Built | 75 |
| Flaps | None required |
| Single Engine Performance | First twin-engine plane to fly on one engine |
| Boeing Model 247 VARIANTS |
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| MODEL | CHARACTERISTIC |
|---|
| Model 280 | Original proposal of Boeing Model 247 with 14 seats and 700 hp P&W Hornet engines. |
| Model 247 | Twin-engined civil transport airliner. Initial production version. |
| Model 247A | Powered by new 625 hp P&W Wasp, on special order for Deutsche Luft Hansa in 1934. |
| Model 247E | This designation was given to the first Boeing Model 247 aircraft, it was used to test a number improvements, that were later incorporated into the Boeing Model 247D. |
| 247D | Original one-off was a race aircraft designed for the MacRobertson Race; use of Hamilton Standard variable-pitch propellers allowed for a seven mph gain; the 247D configuration incorporated in production series bearing the same name. |
| 247Y | Armed version, one exported to China, second used for trials. |
| C-73 | Designation for Boeing Model 247D airliners "drafted" into military service in USAAF, 27 in total. |
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Boeing Model 247. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia. |
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| This text refers to the picture, below. |
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Boeing Model 247. Note the steps in the center
of the aisle where the wing spar runs through
the fuselage. |