The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Story : Short documentary
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 лип 2023
- Immerse yourself in the compelling story of the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser - a testament to the post-war leaps in commercial aviation. This video essay traverses the Stratocruiser's journey from its WWII roots to its immense influence on modern airliner design and passenger experience. Explore how this behemoth balanced the trinity of power, luxury, and technology, and learn about its impact on today's aviation landscape. Despite operational challenges, the Stratocruiser's legacy lives on, shaping the future of flight with every new wave of aviation innovation.
#Boeing377Stratocruiser, #AviationHistory, #AircraftDesign, #PostWarAviation, #AviationTechnology, #LuxuryInFlight, #Stratofreighter, #WrightR3350, #BoreCooling, #RadialEngines, #PressurizedCabin, #InFlightService, #AirlinerDesign, #AeronauticalEngineering, #AviationInnovation, #PropellerAirlines, #DoubleDeckerAircraft, #OvernightFlights, #NoiseDampeningSystem, #AviationLegacy, #AviationEnthusiast, #AirTravelHistory, #CommercialAviation, #LongDistanceTravel, #OperationalEfficiency, #AviationChallenges, #AviationSuccesses, #FreighterConversion, #GuppyAircraft, #ApolloProgram, #NASA, #TransatlanticFlights, #MaintenanceIntensive, #HighAltitudeTravel, #Boeing747, #LuxuryAirTravel, #CruiseSpeed, #PayloadCapacity, #FuelEfficiency, #AviationProgress, #PioneeringAircraft, #StratocruiserStory, #StratocruiserLegacy, #VintageAircraft, #AviationEngineering, #AviationAdvancements, #C97Stratofreighter, #InFlightAmenities, #HighCruisingSpeed, #AviationHeritage, #HistoricalAviation, #AirTransport, #AirlinerImpact, #AviationDocumentary, #AircraftMaintenance, #AircraftOperations, #TranscontinentalFlights, #BoeingAircraft, #Aeronautics, #AirplaneDesign, #AviationPioneers, #LuxuriousAirliners, #StratocruiserInfluence, #AirplaneHistory, #AviationEvolution, #FlightTechnology, #PropellerDrivenAirlines, #FlightEngineering, #InnovativeDesign, #AircraftInnovation, #PassengerComfort, #AviationLovers, #StratocruiserExperience, #HistoricalAircraft, #AviationAchievements, #AviationIndustry, #BoeingAviation, #AviationInspiration, #StratocruiserTestament, #AviationExcellence, #StratocruiserAircraft, #FlightHistory, #BoeingLegacy, #AviationMilestones, #FlightInnovation, #AirTravelEvolution, #CommercialAirliners, #GoldenAgeOfFlight, #BoeingInnovation, #AviationMarvels, #StratocruiserEra, #StratocruiserImpact, #FlightPioneers, #AviationRevolution, #VintageAviation, #AviationChronicles, #StratocruiserJourney, #AviationTales, #AviationTestament, #BoeingHistory, #FlightJourney, #AeronauticalLegacy, #AviationIntrigue, #AviationMastery, #AircraftIntricacies, #HistoricFlights, #LuxuryTravelHistory, #GoldenEraOfAviation, #AircraftEvolution, #AviationMystique, #StratocruiserAdventures, #AviationDynamics, #ClassicAircrafts, #AviationMechanics, #TravelRevolution, #AirTravelPioneers, #StratocruiserMagic, #BoeingMilestones, #HistoricAirliners, #StratocruiserChronicles, #AviationHeritage, #AviationGiants, #InFlightLuxury, #HistoricAviation, #StratocruiserInspiration, #AviationSpectacles, #TransatlanticTravel, #BoeingAchievements, #StratocruiserMemories, #AviationEra, #AircraftAdventures, #BoeingTales, #FlightInnovations, #AviationFascination, #AirTravelAdvancements, #ClassicBoeing, #AircraftLegends, #StratocruiserMarvels, #AviationSpectacles, #FlightChronicles, #InFlightRevolution, #StratocruiserOdyssey, #GoldenAgeTravel, #ClassicFlight, #AviationStories, #HistoricInFlight, #AviationTimeMachine, #StratocruiserLegacy, #AviationRewind, #AircraftEpics, #InFlightMemories, #BoeingChronicles, #FlightMastery, #StratocruiserSaga, #AviationInspirations, #FlightMarvels, #StratocruiserNostalgia, #BoeingEpics, #AviationHeritage, #FlightPioneers, #AirTravelChronicles, #StratocruiserEpic, #BoeingAdventures, #HistoricInnovations, #AviationGoldenEra, #InFlightChronicles, #StratocruiserMilestones, #AircraftNostalgia, #BoeingLegends, #FlightGiants, #AviationJourneys, #StratocruiserStories, #ClassicAviation.
Thanks for watching.
I traveled from New York to London (via Shannon, Ireland) in 1957, when I was a kid. It was a 13-hour flight. I remember climbing into the overhead bunk bed and my dad going downstairs to the bar for a drink. I also remember going up to the flight deck with my brother and chatting with the pilots. Those were the days!
Would you rather have a 13 hour flight with the comfort of the past or a 6 hour flight in economy class with microwaved airliner food?
I did a similar experience as an adult flying to Saudi Arabia on a 747.
Me and my family traveled over 20,000 miles aboard Stratocruisers. It was as pleasant as the promo films, the roomy seats that really reclined, the legroom that is now a distant memory, the downstairs bar and lounge, the good food served. Compared to today, being on a Stratocruiser WAS an experience!
Wow 🤩 really!! That’s legendary there 🤩🤩. I wish I could experience that.
It sounds pricey $$$
@@foxtrot312 definitely would be
At least equivalent today's 1st class VIP section. I booked flight round trip econo cheapest fare on American 330. 1st class would cost 750!
@@foxtrot312 sound about right but the service back then might still be better
BOAC used to fly the Stratocruiser. Because it had a downstairs bar we used to call it the Stratoboozer.
Born in 1950, I grew up in Renton, Washington. Our home was only about 2 miles SW from the Boeing [Renton] plant. We saw many Boeing built planes as kids growing up, old and new. It was such a treat to watch them take off and land. I totally enjoyed this Stratocruiser 377 story. Thanks!
Thank you 🫡🫡
Lynwood ?
My folks worked for Orvis Nelson in the early 50's in OAK under Transocean Air Lines. When the A/L tanked, they pushed a bunch of the 377's in a pile at the approach end to R/W 15 at OAK north of Hangar 9. I would go play on the planes many weekends with my friends when my folks in 1960 started AAE at OAK and we would go out to the field most every weekend as they worked and climb up into the cockpits and pretend fly them. NO fences, gates or security on the fields back then as we all used common sense and did not destroy things. The planes were ferried out in the mid-60's to Mojave and AZ and also converted to the Pregnant, Mini and Super Guppy's.
Several of these planes suffered runaway props including the one shown at the end of the video that ditched near a weather ship in the Pacific. Another Pan Am flight crashed in Brazil with no survivors. Also shown was a Northwest flight that landed long at Midway Airport in Chicago after the crew had failed to perform a proper checklist and did not hand reverse pitch control at landing. The rip in the fuselage was caused by one of the props catching a chain link fence.
OMG. that’s scary 😟
Exactly!!
I used to see the C-97 weekly at the California Air National Guard base at the Van Nuys Airport back in the 60's. It was always a treat to watch it taxi behind my house and then take off for worlds unknown to a 13 year old boy.
That really really cool!!
The visibility for the pilots looks very good as does the space around their seats.
The Strato Cruiser proved what airline travel could be like, and yet look what it turned into. A travel nightmare. Sardines in a can at 30,000 ft. A can of soda and a bag of peanuts compared to those meals that they used to serve on air liners. I was lucky enough to take my first flight on an airliner when they still served meals like that. It really was luxurious. Today I'd rather take a train than a airliner.
Only way you get get hot meals now is on a PJ. Smh 🤦🏽♂️
That great service is still available on long distance overseas flights.
@@handsomeman-pm9vy Well, thank you. I did not know that. The idea of a can of Coke and a bag of peanuts on an overnight flight was pretty dismal.
@@geraldtrudeau3223
I travel to Asia quite often and the service
is great, even for economy class.
The airlines pack people in like sardines because high passenger count is the only way to make the flights profitable. Most people can not afford 1st-class tickets, so luxury flights like what the 377 featured would fly with too many empty seats.
Back in the day I was a 17yr old and in a crash fire dept USAF. Stood by on many a KC-97 engine start.I am 79yrs young now and I can still here that awsome sound and see the tons of white smoke.
Oh wow, thank you so sharing sir. 🫡🫡
Correction: The 377 ran the Pratt and Whitney R4360 28 Cylinder Major Wasp aka "The Corncob" which all airlines hated----military used them. The Curtiss-Wright R3350 18 Cylinder was used on the B-29, Connie, and, DC-7 The last 3350 was 4000 H.P. using turbo compound. I know this because my late dad was a "Senior Manager' UAL South City, CA.
I can only imagine the stories your father most have told you over the years. Thanks for the info ℹ️ 🫡
Yes, the 377 fortunately was the only commercial aircraft to ever use P&W 43/60 engines. Coupled with the lightweight hollow bladed propellers was a very unhappy combination for the stratocruiser. None the less, the Strat was a wonderful aircraft - sad none survived for todays generation to see.
My dad worked for Pan Am after WW-II. He was based in Miami and we flew the B377 from Miami to NY Idlewild on several occasions in the early 1950s. I was about 10 years old, but I remember the flights well.
Wow, must have been an incredible experience
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽💪🏽
The KC-97 and 377 used the R 4360 engine. Only the prototype used the 3350 engine.
Really!! I’ll check it out
And unfortunately the Curtiss Electric prop
@@jayreiter268 🤔🤔
@@dontdeletehistory You really should have checked it out before you made the video. No Boeing 377 ever had a Wright engine, and only the first 3 Prototype C-97s had the Wright R-3350 engines.
@@MikeSowsun ✅✅
The stratocruiser used Pratt and whitney R4360 engines. Wright R3350's were used on the Lockheed Super Constellation. Neither one of these engines could be described as anything but a severe maintenance headache
Wright R3350's were also used on the Douglas DC-7. And yes all were trying to be part turboprop (turbo compound) and likely led to early deaths of mechanics from nervous chain smoking and being driven to drink.
Looking at the Glamour of the day, the 377 Stratocruiser was a luxury truly reserved for the opulant crowd. So many of the innovations developed in its day are common in todays air travel. There are many that have been retired to history.
Lovely narrative. Thank you for sharing.
Well said!
When I was a little kid we flew from Chicago to Miami aboard a United Stratocruiser. The lower deck was very cool.
I wish we had these aircraft still flying. I am happy your able to experience this aircraft.
I appreciate all the various photos of the interiors showing what the amenities, service level, food service, cabin layouts, etc. that were on offer.
I’m glad you appreciate it 🫡😎
Excellent video! The Stratocruiser was an amazing airliner for its time, no question.
Thank you. Yes it was amazing
I have a huge book about the 377 Strat. I absolutely LOVE all the Boeing designs but this one is my favourite. Thank you for the great content!!
Thanks so much for the fine work you are doing. These "short" documentaries are information rich. I look forward to culling through them and to wishing I could have flown on some these great machines. But I hope you keep it going. You're filling in a niche that has been overlooked.
Our pleasure!
Rode in them a few times as a kid. And yea, amazing way to fly.
Mennnn that’s sooo cool!!! I can imagine the feeling 🤩
This is awesome, I can watch these videos all day!
Glad you enjoy it!
Thanks! Well done and interesting. Hope you create many more of these
Thank you sir 🫡🫡🫡 more coming
Thank you for sharing this story.
No problem
@@dontdeletehistory Aviation is a great industry and I love it also.
Great video, quick, short and to the point, good job!
Glad you liked it!
Great video! I really enjoyed watching it 😊
Outstanding !!!
Thank you 🫡🫡🫡
This was a wonderful production and presentation. I enjoyed it very much. Great graphics and video from the era!
Thanks for watching
Enjoyable video! Thank you!
Thank you! 🫡
Fantastic short
Thanks for watching
Brilliant narration! Very pleasant to listen to!
Glad you liked it!
My dear old dad worked on these at BOAC, as said the beast was a maintenance hog. I remember him saying the drama of a spark plug change with each plug needing to be lock wired to stop it vibrating loose. I believe each cylinder had multiple plugs.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I really really appreciate it.
Wow, you post some awesome vintage civilian aircraft documentaries!! Love this stuff, thanks man !!!
Very good documentary. Thank you Sir.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great job!
Thank you
BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT and it contributed to the design of the A380!
Most likely!
Excellent video. It should be noted, that at 0:37 the last airworthy KC-97/377 Stratocruiser is depicted. That aircraft suffered an engine failure while on the way to WWII Weekend in Reading, PA a few years go. Since then, the aircraft has been parked outside the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum while waiting for a new engine. If you want to help support it, look up the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation to see how to support it. The aircraft has been open for tours at the annual WWII Weekend since the engine failure.
I'd highly suggest supporting their efforts. The people there are incredibly passionate and go out of their way to give everyone an amazing experience between their C-97 and C-54.
Thank you soooo soooo much. I will definitely look into the foundation.
I flew on them twice as a kid age 5-6. My Dad worked for Pan Am. They were fabulous aircraft. I only wish I could have flown on one as an adult. As a kid, my main memory is climbing up and down the stairs to the lower deck.
A minor point: While the B-29 used the Wright 3350, the B-50, C-97 and 377 were in service with the P&W 4360.
✅✅
Bravo Zulu Thanks I really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it 🫡🫡
Well done.
Thank you 🫡
As a youngster staring school in 1954, I listened to my Grandmother who had just finished a wonderful fight in a Stratocruiser and was in awe. Jim
_Not a single mention to the B-29?!_ Not even at the video description... It is widely known that this plane is derived from the B-29 (named 345 by the manufacturer) and that it was the fundamental basis for the creation of the 345-2/4/31 (B-50), 367 (C-97) and 377 ( Stratocruiser). Some images of this video shows the B-29 assembly line as well as the C-97 prototype flying - still with B-29 tail, before modification with a taller fin/rudder
I’m sorry the film wasn’t exact enough for you sir.
@@dontdeletehistory Wasn't for anyone...
Beautiful: The blueprint of flying travel.
Correct ✅
30 some years ago my wife and I lived in Tucson and there was still some Air force KC97s still offered for sale by private aircraft salvage companies, I saw them get 2 of them ready to go and they flew them out of there it was pretty cool watching them test run those engine's, and a few days later they used an air force run way and off they went how cool a sight it was.
I am so happy you to to experience this. I wish I could have seen this for myself
Me too! I worked right across the street from the company that refurbished them. I talked to some of the techs there, those C-97s went to Alaska to fly crabs and other perishable fish down here.
@@thomashowlett8295 Thanks for the reply that is interesting that you were there when I was there and thank you for the information. I really enjoyed all the interesting aircraft around Tucson and the air force base and AMARC and that really great Pima Air Museum.
There is a military version of this aircraft on display at the Don Q hotel just north of Dodgeville Wisconsin! It is open to the public and is quite interesting. The first time I saw it was on a trip visiting Spring Green Wi and traveling south toward Dodgeville. It was such a surprise coming upon this behemoth parked only a few feet away from the road! I slammed on the breaks and went for a visit! Being an aviation geek, I was in heaven! Since then I have visited two more times. It's too bad there is not a commercial version of this plane that still exists!!
I would love to visit that location. Someone should bring the legendary aircraft back
@@dontdeletehistory I wish there was too! Maybe take a B-97, gut the inside, and add the fittings of the B-377 Stratocruser.... especially that staircase and the lower lounge! I would definitely visit the air museum where this is displayed!!
That plane in Dodgeville is in interesting. I heard a legend story about it. It was approaching Milwaukee and got caught in a bad thunderstorm and had to make an emergency landing. He couldn’t take off again because the space wasn’t long enough to take off. So the landowner bought it.
Laf, I drove past it on a trip back to Milwaukee, from Phoenix. Snapped some pics, was gonna research into it later…thnx for the reminder!!
Great video.
Thank you 🫡🫡
I flew at age 6 unaccompanied from London to Chicago via New York in 1949, 75 years ago. Because of the internet, I have a photo of the plane: Clipper "Westward Ho", and a copy of the passenger manifest from Customs with my name on it. Total passenger count was 25, including the Lou Harris family, of polling fame.
The excellent food service and the guy casually lighting up at 8:28, those were the days!!!😎
Oh yes, those were the days. Not that that I could have afforded airflight (probably), but that's the way to fly.
The Stratocruiser indeed paved the way for modern passenger air travel, and I for one am glad they did. Thanks for this.
NB - just when did we stop calling them 'airliners'? There's just no romance on a 'passenger jet'.
You’re soooooooo right. The romance of air travel is gone. Well unless you have a PJ lol
thank you for your short film..it is o k 2 get sum of the info off target...you did a good job....keep up the good work: : :"
Thank you sir 🫡🫡. I really appreciate it.
Just another example of engine technology being the limiting factor. The 377 was built on the B29 frame. The B29 had operational issues with it's engines
That’s true a lot of airplane projects have been canceled because of engine issues.
But - no mention is made in the video of the change to Pratt&Whitney Wasp Major engines, which were afaik also used on the B-50
Everything has to start from something. I doubt if 5 percent
of the population was traveling by airplane in 1950.
The engines were 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,500 hp, not the Wright engines.
Pratt and Whitney R-3350? That's as bad as saying Chevrolet Mustang!
The Pratt and Whitney R-4360 was a marvel on it's own. It was the largest aero piston engine ever. With 28 cylinders, each with 2 spark plugs, a four engine airplane had a total of 224 spark plugs which contributed to it's breakdown rate. No wonder it was the end of the line with the adoption of less complicated jet engines right around the corner.
Also it should be mentioned that the B377 was the ultimate development of the many derivatives of the B-29; the airplane that dropped the first atomic bomb.
🤔🤔🤔
Yes, you can see the B-29 resemblance.
@@dfirth224 definitely definitely
Your narration alone got me to subscribe!👍🏻awesome channel👌🏻
You are sooo awesome. Thank you welcome onboard 🫡
Yes, but it didn’t need the noisy “background” music!
I loved them and living north of what was then called London Airport, as a young schoolkid, could hear one most nights as I lay in bed about 22:00. We were beneath a stacking area and I knew most of the a/c by engine sound.
I’m sure the engines reverberated the atmosphere.
The Stratocruiser has been the big silver bird that took my parents away to America for weeks at a time.. My Aunt drove them to the Airport and me back to her place where she lived with two girl friends. They fussed around me like little girls with a new doll - I enjoyed the attention. Yet I often wondered if the big Boeing bird would bring them home again. The US was a long haul with fuel stops up into the Pacific and Los Angeles. Their return never seemed to come fast enough but when I saw them next at home, my Dad was loaded down with gifts from America, items that with WW2 restrictions still in place, weren't available to buy.here. With Dad being in the travel agency business, we learned along about shipping, air and land travel his work sent hm. This has lead to a lifetime interest in passenger transport and rhe romace of travel. But the Islands of The Pacific and coastal California have drawn me there many times over the years. Now though old age and advancing decreptitude has kept me on home ground now. But the memories now of where I've visited sustaines me and keeps me smiling.
I second everything williamgraves2009 has to say about the Stratocruiser. My family lived in Manila in the 50s, and my father always insisted we fly Pan Am (or Pan American World Airways, as it was then) to and from the States. The route from the West Coast was by way of Honolulu, Wake, and Guam (not sure of the order of the last two), then Manila. And it was just as luxurious as the promo films: sleeper seats, berths, wonderful meals, and the bonus of the lower-deck lounge (unwritten rule that children - with parents - were allowed during the day, but it was "adults only" from cocktail time, on through the evening). Such wonderful memories; thanks so much for sharing this with us.
That’s wonderful 😊. I wish we still had one flying around today.
@@dontdeletehistory Or even if not flying, perhaps in an aviation museum? It is so sad to think of how many of these wonderful planes were just parked on an airfield - and sometimes not even an airfield, just parked in the desert - before being scrapped. I'm so grateful to people like you who have taken the time to share pictures and film clips with us: for those who are old enough to have flown on them, it brings back the memories; for those of a younger generation, these pictures and clips is all they will have.
@@willyboy3581 they might be somewhere, well actually that will be the next thing evolution of my videos will be to capture some of these epic creations on camera 🎥.
@@dontdeletehistory I'm afraid it comes down to the question of money. Military versions of some passenger liners which served as presidential planes are in museums, but funds are sparse for preserving retired airliners. Soon, some of them may well be lost forever. I look forward to the evolution of you videos.
@@willyboy3581 you’re right it always about the money. Well that’s the world we live in. And thank you for watching my videos. Can’t wait to evolve also 🫡
Badass!!
Love this old plane! I've seen a number of the military versions, the C-97 and KC-97. There is even one outside of the Don Q Inn in Wisconsin! And one made into a restaurant in Colorado Springs. There is one still airworthy, but I haven't seen it fly yet. By the way, the last picture is of a DC-6, I believe. It exploded over Longmont, Colorado in 1955 due to a bomb on board. UAL Flight 629.
It’s always a thrill to connect with someone who cherishes the golden age of aviation as you do. The Stratocruiser’s rich history, including its military variants, is a testament to its versatility. If you could step back in time to its era, what would you be most excited to experience onboard?
@@dontdeletehistory Well, obviously I'd like to fly it! :) But I'd also love to just hear those big radials. One of the greatest sounds in the world!
My father, Staff Sergeant Lester T Harrison, USAF was aboard a USAF C-97 Stratofreighter when it went down over the Sea of Japan on March 22 1957. I was 22 months old at the time. All lives were lost. He is officially lost at sea. I would love to visit a real Stratocruiser. I'll be 68 this year so there is still time, hopefully.
Very nice good old airlines good food good Stuff
If im not mistaken, one of the military versions is on display at March AFB riverside California.
I got to see it.
2.04 should "to elaborate" be
"to mitigate their overheating issues"
great video keep making them😁
Thank you. I will definitely go further in a future video.
Thanks for saying "fewer".
🫡
I know this is not a seaplane, but have to say it looks very much like the Saunders-Roe Princesses.
Huh, yeah, I see that.
I have a book on the Boeing 377 and in the middle of the book show drawing of the plane I wonder if any of these planes are still around a museums?
I actually think 💭 there might be a few
... back in the day when Boeing was a culture of engineers, managed by engineers who put engineering excellence and safety above investor dividends.
That seems to have ended quite a while ago.
The R-4360 engines were the best argument one could make for the JT8D.
Wow!!
One cannot ignore how awesome this background music is!! Where did you get it?
As I know this aircraft, used a massive and powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 4 rows 3.500 hp 4,200hp water injection
🫡🫡🫡
I wonder why they didn’t offer a turboprop version? But then again, jet powered aircraft were quickly becoming standard. Still an idea.
Boeing just simply builds the most beautiful planes
Quite honestly
The imagery combined with that very ... i dont't know how to put it .. music, makes the video feel SO retro-ish.
That’s the point
Very interesting and informative. I bet those were loud inside. It’s almost too bad they only built those for 3 years. Would be neat to ride on one as an excursion flight.
The sounds of those engines must have been quite an experience! It's a sentiment shared by many aviation enthusiasts, wishing for just one more flight on those engineering marvels of the past.
I would argue that the 377 had very little impact on the greater commercial aircraft market of the time since it served the least amount of time in front line commercial service, suffered many accidents and was almost virtually gone by the mid 1960s save for a few that were converted to freighters or fire fighting water tankers. The 377 was outlived by ALL of its contemporaries with the DC-6 still flying today as a freighter. Despite its more advanced tech, it failed miserably in terms of safety and reliability and since less than 70 were built there was no case for keeping it in service.
the engines were actually Pratt n Whitney r4360 4-row 28 cal
Vaguely remember seeing a few of these at JFK, in 1970, however, I've seen the Guppy conversion at Ellington in the 2000's.
How was the guppy conversation?
I loved flying on these on the London to West Africa route. Such a pity that its engines and propellers were so unreliable and running cost per seat was so high. I remember flying alongside Mont Blanc instead of above it due to the shut down of 2 engines! (London to Rome)
What a wonderful experience
@@dontdeletehistory I read that the Stratocruiser, with the R 4360 engines , was known as the best three -engined planes in the world
Especially compared to the Lockheed Constellation, I always felt this was an unattractive plane. But getting a closer look and explanation of it, I see its beauty much better! THANK YOU!
Totally agree
R.I.P.
The Boeing company
This comment should get at least 1,000 likes.
Mid 1950's flew BOAC New York-London
Sat in the ditch while landing at Prestwick.
How good where the flights?
Great video. Beautiful plane. But just curious, I know the B-29 used the R3000 18 cyl engines, but didn't all 377 Stratorcruisers use the R4000 28 cylinder engine? I could be wrong, I just thought frequent overheating was primarily an 377 / R4000 issue.
Thanks for the info!
My Father was a load master on C-97 during the Korean "Police Action". He liked the aircraft but engines liked to leak lots of oil. Based at Hickam, they would fly to Wake, then Guam, Japan and finally to Korea.
My thanks goes to your father for his service 🫡
This was an airplane based on the B-29, which had significant problems with same Wright Cyclone engines, requiring many planes to ditch in the Pacific. The Air Force remedied this problem when it built the B-50, a remake of the b-29 in the early 1950's. I'm surprised the airlines using the 377 didn't insist on the same change.
you’ve made a great point about the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser. The evolution from the B-29 to the B-50 is a compelling example of how military advancements can inform commercial aviation. It’s true that the Wright Cyclone engines in the B-29 had issues which were later addressed in the B-50. The airlines’ decision-making processes can be complex, balancing technical upgrades with economic considerations. Perhaps they found other ways to address the Stratocruiser’s issues without a major engine change, or it may have been a matter of cost and practicality at the time.
I wonder where they stored all those hats people wore in that era. 😂
😂😂😂
As a teenager in the 1950s I flew six times in BOAC Stratocruisers
The Stratocruisers had R4360 engines (not 3xxx). They competed with DC7 & Constellations that had R3350 engines and were also pressurized aircraft. These aircraft were slightly faster and more economical to fly, thus limiting the life of the Stratocruisers.
The Model 377, and the C-97 were powered by the Pratt & Whitney 4360 Wasp Major, 28 Cylinder engine, only the XC-97 was powered by the Wright 3350 Cyclone-18.
🧠🧠🧠
I remember when it was new!!
How was it back then?
@@dontdeletehistory Well, it was new! And so was I!
Makes you wonder if there is a market for a first class only level of travel with all the frills of this interior design. There's lots of people with lots of money who might like to travel this way today.
You read my mind, honestly I think we would.
I believe these were powered by R-4360's, not R-3350's as stated in the video.
🫡
What is the ending music??
Didn't even mention in the video that the overall architecture of the 377 was based on the powertrain Wing configuration of the B-29 Superfortress period in fact had same engines wings and tail assembly only difference was the fuselage for civilian passenger transport
The C-97 began with the R-3350 but the A model switched to the R-4360. I thought the 377, being a follow-on development, had the R-4360 from its inception.
My guy. Thank you. Btw how have you been? Haven’t seen you in forever
Also the air for pressurization was tapped off of the turbochargers rather than having a separate supercharger as the other piston airliners had. Some also had Curtiss Electric propellers. My dad (Pan American pilot) hated those.
Thank you for adding several views I have never seen.
@@rusty41251 thank you for the information and thank you 🙏🏽
Yep. The B-50 had the 4360s and this was a derivative.
@@calvinnickel9995 your right
Wonder what it would look like if they remade it today?
I cry looking at the size of those seats. What the airlines do now is criminal. It's impossible to be comfortable in coach.
The Constellation was the last propeller airliner. These things gave lots of trouble and even had engines fall off.
The Stratocruiser’s history is as turbulent as it is fascinating, isn’t it? It’s a marvel how these vintage airliners, despite their mechanical woes, paved the runway for modern aviation technology
Interesting video but for Heaven’s sake get the main details right! The engines were NOT 28 cylinder Wright R3350’s. It was powered by 28 cylinder Pratt & Whitney R4360’s.
Really???
Thanks for the info ℹ️
Easy mistake to make since the B-29 uses the R3350’s. I think the C-97/377 is more akin to the B-50, the B-29 re-engined with the R4360’s.
Surprised you didn't speak to the common ancestor of both the C-97 and the 377: The B-29 Superfortress. Boeing used a lot of the B-29 in these planes-- the basic body (with the expanded shell on the upper half), wings, tail, and at least the forerunners to the engines. The "post-war leaps in commercial aviation" were, instead, the conversion of designs for World War II seeking civilian applications. That said, it was a fascinating airliner.