Boeing 367-1-1 XC-97 Stratofreighter

Boeing 367-1-1 XC-97 Stratofreighter

Main menu

Next Transport photo
Transport menu

08/12/2006. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was the first of three prototypes and made its first flight on November 9, 1944. On January 9, 1945, flown by Major Curtin L. Reinhardt, it set a speed record by flying the 3,323 miles (5,348 km) from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., USA, nonstop in 6 hours 3 minutes with a 20,000 pound (9,072 kilogram) payload. Since this aircraft was pressurized, it flew at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and with a good tailwind, its average speed was 383 mph (616 kmh)."

Remarks by Geoff Miller: "This photo shows one of several prototypes of the military version of the Stratocruiser, the (K)C-97. Note the relatively short vertical stabilizer and the B-29-style engine cowlings with the "grin"-shaped oil cooler intakes below the propellers. The production Stratocruiser and (K)C-97 were actually developments of the B-50 version of the Superfortress, not of the B-29; they had the B-50's tall stabilizer, Pratt R-4360 engines (in lieu of the B-29's Curtiss-Wright R-3350s), and the distinctive B-50 engine cowlings with the large oil cooler intakes set about halfway back toward the wing leading edge. Contrast the two pictures at All About Guppies to see the differences."


Main menu		Next Transport photo Transport menu
08/12/2006. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was the first of three prototypes and made its first flight on November 9, 1944. On January 9, 1945, flown by Major Curtin L. Reinhardt, it set a speed record by flying the 3,323 miles (5,348 km) from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., USA, nonstop in 6 hours 3 minutes with a 20,000 pound (9,072 kilogram) payload. Since this aircraft was pressurized, it flew at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and with a good tailwind, its average speed was 383 mph (616 kmh)." Remarks by Geoff Miller: "This photo shows one of several prototypes of the military version of the Stratocruiser, the (K)C-97. Note the relatively short vertical stabilizer and the B-29-style engine cowlings with the "grin"-shaped oil cooler intakes below the propellers. The production Stratocruiser and (K)C-97 were actually developments of the B-50 version of the Superfortress, not of the B-29; they had the B-50's tall stabilizer, Pratt R-4360 engines (in lieu of the B-29's Curtiss-Wright R-3350s), and the distinctive B-50 engine cowlings with the large oil cooler intakes set about halfway back toward the wing leading edge. Contrast the two pictures at All About Guppies to see the differences."