Roden 339 Boeing 307 Stratoliner

The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was an American low-wing passenger plane from World War II and the post-war period. The prototype flight took place in September 1938. The aircraft entered service in 1940, and only about 10 aircraft of this type were built during serial production. The machine was 22.6 meters long with a wingspan of approx. 32.6 meters. The drive was provided by four Wright GR-1820 Cyclone engines with 1100 HP each. The maximum speed was approx. 390 km / h.

The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was created as a far-reaching modification of the Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress bomber. The main changes were a redesign of the fuselage, keeping its overall proportions and a far-reaching change of the front part of the plane. However, it was decided to keep, among other things, the almost unchanged wings, chassis and vertical tail. It is worth adding that the Boeing 307 Stratoliner was the first passenger plane in the history of aviation to have a pressurized pilot's cabin and passenger space, which in turn allowed for flights at high altitudes of 10,000 meters. Without a doubt, the Boeing 307 Stratoliner was a technically and technologically very successful machine, but the outbreak of World War II and the need to start mass production of bombers prevented Boeing from starting a larger series production of this aircraft. The planes that were built successfully served in PANAM Airlines.