The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was the commercial version of the C-97 Stratofreighter. The two-
level 377 was pressurized and could accommodate 50 to 100 passengers. On long flights the
aircraft could accommodate 28 upper and lower bunk units. This led to the aircraft being referred
to as the “Flying Hotel”. The 377 was larger and could fly further than the Constellation or the DC-
6 but the engines and complexity of the aircraft proved to be too costly to operate bringing
production to an end in 1950.

In March 1946 Northwest Airlines was the 4th Boeing 377 Stratocruiser customer with an order
for 10 model 377-10-30 aircraft. All planes had Hamilton Standard propellers and rectangular
windows. N74606 was c/n 15952 and was delivered in 1949 with the name “Washington” and
706 fleet number. That same year NWA was the first airline to offer cocktail service on
Continental U.S. flights. Later the airline offered in-flight fashion shows and in 1959 placed an
electric organ on one aircraft to provide entertainment for the passengers. NWA lost two 377’s,
one to a crash and the other to a ground fire. In 1959 the 377’s were being phased out to make
room for 14 new DC-7C. The last NWA Boeing 377 flight was on September 15, 1960. The
remaining 8 Boeing 377’s were traded to Lockheed in exchange for a fleet of new L-188 Electras.
N74606 was converted to a 377F model and eventually was scrapped.


Specifications for the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser

First flight – July 8, 1947

Number produced – 56

Production ended - 1950

Accommodations
Main deck - Up to 100 passengers
Lower deck lounge – 14 passengers
Typical seating – 63 – 84 passengers
Converted to berths for long distance – 28 + five seated

Performance
Engines – (4) Pratt and Whitney R-4360-B6 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines producing
3,500 hp each and powering four-bladed propellers
Maximum speed – 375 mph   (603 km/h)
Normal cruise speed – 301 mph   (483 km/h)
Maximum cruise – 340 mph   (547 km/h)
Range – 4,200 miles   (6,760 km)   (3,650 nmi)
Service ceiling – 32,000 ft   (9,800 m)

Weight
Empty – 83,500 lb   (67,133 kg)
Gross – 145,000 lb   (65,770 kg)

Dimensions
Length – 110 ft 4 in   (33.63 m)
Wingspan – 141 ft 3 in   (43.05 m)
Height – 38 ft 3 in   (11.66 m)
HOBBY MASTER
HL4003 - Boeing 377 "Stratocruiser"
Northwest Orient Airlines N74606
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1/200 scale die-cast metal with minimal use of plastic.
All markings are tampo (pad) applied, no decals to discolor or flake.
Free-spinning propellers.
Rolling wheels.
Landing gear can be removed or added.
Model comes with a display stand.
A brief history of the aircraft type and the airline is supplied with each model.
HOBBY  MASTER  COLLECTOR