In partnership with renowned developer Airplane Heaven, the Microsoft Flight Simulator team today announced the Boeing Stratoliner 307, the latest installment in the Local Legend series. Boeing stunned the world in the late 1930s with the unveiling of his Stratoliner 307, a sparkling and moving monument. to aviation technology. Born out of the Golden Age of Flight, developed over many years and the focus of hard work by Boeing’s designers and engineers, the Model 307 has established itself as an airliner in its own right. This four-engine, long-range aircraft was the world’s first high-altitude airliner, the first to have a pressurized cabin, and capable of flying up to 20,000 feet above sea level. This aircraft made its maiden flight on 31 December 1938 and entered regular service on 4 July 1940. Boeing built his ten Stratliners.
Boeing began developing the 307 in the mid-1930s in response to an industry demand for an aircraft that could operate above most adverse weather conditions and comfortably fly over the mountain passes. Engineers based the 307 on the company’s B-17C bomber for aerodynamic performance, especially long-term flight efficiency. Specifically, Boeing adopted the bomber wing, engine, engine configuration, tail and landing gear into the design. A notable difference from the B-17 was the fuselage. Boeing designed a circular cross-section body for the 307 with a maximum diameter of 138 inches. The circular design made the pressurized cabin more suitable for high-altitude flight, and the larger diameter allowed for a comfortable seating configuration.
Constructed primarily from an aluminum alloy, the 307 utilizes stress-skin engineering where the metal exterior works with the aircraft frame to provide strength, flexibility and maintain pressure at altitude. The 307 could carry up to 33 passengers and 5 crew members, including two pilots and a flight engineer, a new type of aircraft crew at the time. Flight engineers were responsible for the technical aspects of aircraft operations, such as cabin pressurization, power settings, and electrical components.
The 307 used an engine-driven pump to keep the cabin pressurized and was able to operate up to 20,000 feet above mean sea level while maintaining an internal pressure equivalent to 8,000 feet above mean sea level. Its name, which combines stratosphere and airliner, reflects its high-altitude operational characteristics. The spacious cabin contained comfortable reclining seats, as well as a bunk, galley, powder room and dressing room. The Stratoliner was the epitome of luxury travel, taking much of the spirit of ocean liner travel and expressing the atmosphere airlines sought to emulate.
American businessman Howard Hughes purchased the first 307 Stratoliner in hopes of setting aviation records. He eventually converted it into a “flying penthouse”. Pan American Airlines (Pan Am) purchased three of his aircraft (each designated S-307) and Transworld Airlines (TWA) purchased five (each designated his SA-307B). The Pan Am aircraft used a Wright Cyclone engine with a single-stage supercharger, while the TWA model used a Pratt & Whitney powerplant with a two-stage sequential supercharger. Five aircraft purchased by TWA were converted to military service in World War II. These aircraft were operated by the United States Army Air Forces and used the designation C-75. Through subsequent sales to airlines and governments, the 307 remained operational until his last one crashed in 1975.
Of the original 10 Stratoliners, only one has survived the years intact, a model originally flown by Pan Am Airlines named the Clipper Flying Cloud. The aircraft was meticulously restored to its original condition by 30 Boeing volunteers in his 1990s and flown from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., to the Stephen F. Udover His Hazy Center at the Smithsonian Institution. is stored permanently in
The Boeing 307 Stratoliner is 38 feet 7 inches long, 20 feet 9 inches high and has a wingspan of 107 feet 3 inches. It is powered by four Wright GR-1820-G102A Cyclone radial engines, each capable of producing up to 1,100 horsepower and powering a 3-blade constant speed propeller. The 307 has a range of 1,300 miles for him, a service ceiling of 23,800 feet above sea level, a cruising speed of 352 miles per hour, and a top speed of 250 miles per hour.
The Boeing 307 Stratliner comes with four liveries: Boeing Delivery, Emerald Harbor, World Travel and Area (Columbia). Climb into this classic vehicle, power up the system, start the engine and take off to the heights. Available now for $14.99. The sky is calling!
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