Boeing Model 40
The Boeing Model 40 was a United States mail plane that became the first aircraft built by the Boeing company to carry passengers. It was of conventional biplane configuration with a combination of standard and warren-truss style interplane struts. Originally designed to compete for a US Mail contract in 1925, it was rejected in favor of the Douglas M-2.
The design was revived in 1927 as part of Boeing's tender for newly privatized airmail routes. Designated the Model 40A, this variant was powered by an air-cooled Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine, which offered a 200 lb weight saving over the water-cooled Liberty specified by the postal service in 1925. Although the primary purpose of the aircraft was to carry mail, two passengers could be accommodated in the small cabin, allowing Boeing to operate it on any of the routes that the firm might bid for. The original fuselage design was changed to one using welded steel tubing.
Boeing successfully bid on the San Francisco-Chicago route, and Boeing Air Transport commenced operations on July 1, 1927 with 24 Model 40As.
Variants
- Model 40
- Original 1925 design with Liberty engine.
- Model 40A
- Revised 1927 design for BATC. the aircraft was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine, plus seating for two passengers in an enclosed cabin; 25 built.
- Model 40B
- Model 40As re-engined with a 525 hp (391 kW) Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial piston engine. 19 Model 40A were converted. Redesignated Model 40B-2.
- Model 40B-4
- Revised Model 40B with seating for four passengers and other improvements. Equipped with openable windows, plus seating for four passengers; 38 built.
- Model 40B-4A
- One Model 40B used as engine testbed by Pratt & Whitney.
- Model 40H-4
- Four Model 40B-4s built by Boeing Canada. Two aircraft were exported to New Zealand.
- Model 40C
- Similar to Model 40B-4 but with Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine of Model 40A. (10 built, all later converted to Model 40B-4 standard).[1][2]
- Model 40X
- Unique special-order machine similar to Model 40C with only two-passenger cabin and extra open cockpit forward of pilot's cockpit.
- Model 40Y
- Unique special-order machine similar to Model 40X, but with Pratt & Whitney Hornet engine.
Operators
- United States
Survivors
As of February 17, 2008, Boeing 40C S/N 1043 became the only airworthy example in the world. It also holds the title of the oldest flying Boeing in the world. In 1928, the aircraft was substantially damaged in a crash near Canyonville, OR. After being recovered, it was completely rebuilt over an eight year period and an estimated 18,000 man hours by Pemberton and Sons Aviation[3] in Spokane, Washington. On May 8, 2010, this airplane had an aerial rendezvous with Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.[4]
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, contains a 1927 Boeing 40B-2, number 285.
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois has a 1928 Boeing Model 40-B on display in its Transportation Gallery. (N288)
The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington has a complete full-scale replica and two partially finished replica fuselages (showing what the original Boeing factory would have looked like circa 1928-29) on display.
Specifications (Model 40A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 2 passengers
- Length: 33 ft 2 in (10.12 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft 2 in (13.47 m)
- Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m)
- Wing area: 547 sq ft (50.82 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,531 lb (1602 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6000 lb (2722 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp, 420 hp (313 kW)
Performance
Accidents and incidents
- February 26, 1928: A Boeing Air Transport Model 40, registration NC280, crashed near Marquette, Nebraska after the aircraft hit an air pocket, causing a loss of altitude; the passenger was killed, but the pilot survived.
- November 18, 1930: A Pacific Air Transport Model 40, registration NC5340, crashed into a mountainside at 4500 feet in a snowstorm, killing all 3 on board.
- January 22, 1931: A Varney Air Lines Model 40, registration NC741K, crashed into Bluff Mountain in dense fog; killing the pilot.
- May 5, 1931: A Pacific Air Transport Model 40, registration NC5390, crashed into Las Tunas Canyon while attempting to land at Burbank Airport in low visibility, killing both crew.
- September 16, 1931: A Pacific Air Transport Model 40, registration NC10347, crashed into San Francisco Bay after takeoff for reasons unknown, killing all 4 on board.
- November 23, 1931: A Boeing Air Transport Model 40, registration NC7465, crashed 8 miles west of Salt Lake Airport, killing the pilot; it was believed that the plane overturned while attempting to land at night.
- November 26, 1931: A Varney Air Lines Model 40, registration NC10338, crashed near Pasco, Washington in low visibility while attempting to land, killing the pilot.
- February 2, 1932: A Boeing Air Transport Model 40, registration NC7470, crashed on landing at Rio Vista, California; the plane struck an irrigation ditch and caught fire, killing one of two on board.
- May 16, 1932: A Pacific Air Transport Model 40, registration NC5589, crashed and burned in fog while attempting to land at Burbank Airport, killing all 3 (both pilots, radioman) on board.
See also
References
Further reading
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 170.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. File 890 Sheet 52.
External links
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