I just read this thread and had to respond. My dad was stationed at Hunter and had orders to be on that flight. He was unexpectedly granted early release to attend college. He still talks about it.
Alan McDonald, e-mail, 04.08.2023 18:36
In 1953 I was deported to Australia aboard one of these aircrafts. The flight took two days and several stops in the Pacific. One place I remember Canton Atoll where the runway was so that the wings were over the ocean. This the only time I have ever flown first class thanks to the American tax payer. the flight was an experience I remember looking out the window and seeing the flame from the exhaust and the crew took me into the cockpit where I looked through the observation glass and saw a submerged submarine as we flew over the ocean, pretty exciting for a 12 year old kid. If any of you are interested I wrote a book about my early life ( Stamped Excess Baggage) that aircraft was amazing.
Jennifer Brown, e-mail, 04.09.2021 06:56
Hi Paul, Would you happen to remember the date of this flight? My dad was on a stratocruiser out of Hawaii (don’t know which island) returning to LA sometime in 1947 or ‘48 and the same thing you described, occurred. I clearly remember him saying that his plane made it to the half way point and like yours, had to turn around. I know that I have a newspaper clipping of the incident with his name mentioned buried in one of many boxes in storage. He had been in New Zealand learning the ropes working sheep farms and was flying home to Toronto to join his family’s wool business. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you, Jennifer Brown
Pebbles, e-mail, 12.06.2020 23:21
Hello, I was just looking at a posting you made in 2014 regarding BB Buckshot Lien and your father. Were you ever in touch with BB's family?
Lonnie, 12.03.2017 07:56
IN 1958 my mother, my two brothers and I flew on a Pan Am Stratocruiser from LA scheduled to land in Singapore. However, we encountered the tail end of a typhoon after leaving Guam and we ended up crash landing in Manilla. The plane was great until that happened.
Ron Curtis, e-mail, 24.02.2017 19:49
I was stationed at Hunter AFB Savannah GA from July 1956 until October 1959 A/2C 2nd Field Maintenance Squadron. Does anybody remember the KC97 crash on November 12th 1958 just east of the runway at Hunter. Going TDY to England 11 airmen on board no surviors. I still have the front page of the Savannah Morning News November 13th 1958 and a letter i sent to my parents. I was on a cleanup detail at the crash site, picking up body parts not very pleasing duty!! Here is the exact location of the crash between Salcedo Ave and Easy Street. just east of Harrock Hall DR. The nose (emph) came to rest just short of a brick home and some of the remains of the crew members was plasterd on the brick walls. The House at 7420 Harrock Hall Drive i think was the house it was built in 1955 and if i remember right it was unfinished at that time. I would like to hear from anyone stationed at Hunter at that time. Ron Curtis Parsons KS
BERGE J, e-mail, 08.03.2016 20:29
Latest news on the C-97G belonging to the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, N117GA, located at FBF received FAA Experimental certificate, which will allow the BAHF fly the plane.
Bruce R Nelson, e-mail, 17.03.2015 21:13
Now 76 but fond memories as an 18 yr old A3C I served over 1500 air hour as a light Arrendant and Loadmaster having completed at Est Palm Bch AFB in last clas for training C-97 air crew duty. I flew the entire South Pacific with the droning of Pratt Whitney 43602 endless droning. At 18 I accepted the noise/vibes as part of the job. Many yrs later I learned at Quinlan VA Hospital, Mt. Home, TN that I ended up suffering dramatic hearing loss. They, thank God, equipped me wit “Phontal bluetooh hearing aids. Quilan audiology believes my many hours of the 4360s caused the loss and if any fellow Airman has hearing losses worsening at my age they really should visit their closest VA audiologist that has first rate clinicians and state of art testing technology. You may have disability benefits. But my C-97 history is not lost (they should have employed ear plugs through the Flight Surgeon. I flew thru the atolls of the now infamous atomic test sites, Johnson, Enie Weenie, Bikini, Rotyonga, Kwajalien (my favorite., Guam, Wake, Midway (love this wacky goony birds!~) Siapam, Manila (where some of our flights took us on “secret” flights to, perhaps, Siagon during the “we weren’t at war era of Laos and Cambodia. I still have bad dreams of the young men I probably escorted into “dark” area. At 18 it was my job and I am still proud and honored I served in the 1501st ATW, 1201 ATS MATS/WESTAF out of Travis. Gob bless all the air crew mwmbwes I was privileged to fly with and serve.
Walter H. Polk, e-mail, 24.01.2015 02:24
The Cadillac of the USAF from the 50s to the late 60s.Best aircraft for a flight engineer ever built. He had the catbird's seat !!!!!!!
julie mcconihe, e-mail, 22.10.2014 03:45
In 1951, I, age 5, flew DC-SFO; then SFO-HAWAII. In Hawaii we got off the plane for about 2 hrs. while they changed the seats into sleeper bunks with privacy curtains - upper and lower berths. I will never forget leaving hawaii at midnight with a full moon as we took off for sydney, au. In the morning, we landed on a sandy palm tree beach to refuel and everyone got off and walked around in bathrobes. Where did we stop? Anyone remember the sleepers?
Ralph Spilsbury, e-mail, 28.07.2014 20:10
In 1958 I left the tented Terminal at London Airport to fly to Kano Nigeria,on a BOAC 377 Stratocruiser,We landed at Algiers to refuel,for our own safety we were "arrested" and locked in the Terminal,due to a uprising.The Pilot bravely took off,despite nearby gunfire.I think I recall we reached Kano 3 days late
Klaatu83, e-mail, 24.07.2014 03:54
Essentially an airliner version of the B-50 bomber, the "Stratocruiser" enabled Boeing to remain competitive against Douglas' DC-6 and Lockheed's "Constellation" in the post-WW-II long-haul airliner market.
Berge J, e-mail, 29.04.2014 07:48
I worked as an A&E mechanic on NWA's B377s at JFK. It was a great airplane and gave me a lot of overtime getting the repairs done. Presently am working on restoring a C-97G/L at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY.
Howard Wahl, e-mail, 09.01.2014 03:31
A. Martin commented, 31.12.2011, "My father-in-law, BB Lien (Buckshot) rode as check pilot on one of these for Pan Am. 1st flight to Japan. Remember seeing news pic of the event. Anyone out there remember Buckshot?"
Very well. Buckshot and my dad, Milo Wahl, were great friends from their college days in Moorhead, MN. Buckshot convinced my dad to move to Seattle in 6/41 and work for PAWA, later PANAM, as a mechanic. Buckshot was a "bush pilot" in Alaska at the time, but moved to Seattle during the war. I have lots of memories of Buckshot to share. Hope this finds you.
Howard Wahl
jay stapleton, e-mail, 01.11.2013 03:00
OOOPS!!! Acft. retained the 4 4360 big eng...jet pods was added...giving the KC97 six engs....now it was able to refuel the B-47,,B-52, and several fighters. with ease...
jay stapleton, e-mail, 01.11.2013 02:52
several of the KC-97 are on display Wright Pat.Ohio,,,and at Az.bone yard....the USAF after 1962 install jet pods (jet eng.) on the acft. made a fine acft....I was based at Whiteman AFB, (MO) 1958 thru 1962...I have over 5 years on the acft. remember it very well....Anyone remember the 340th OMS..group/././.was in 8th AF HDG. at Barksdale...
Matthew Sharp, e-mail, 04.08.2013 23:49
In 1957 or thereabouts, when I was about four and a half years old, my mother, my baby sister and I flew with BOAC from London Heathrow to Accra to join my father. The journey was made in several legs and I remember landing at Rome; it was hot and dark, the plane was apparently refueling, and for some reason we all had to disembark. The walk to the terminal, I remember as a tired and very thirsty toddler, seemed to go on forever, and I complained vociferously to mum. Later in the journey we encountered severe turbulence and a storm with big air pockets. The plane was tossed from side to side and up and down. I thoroughly enjoyed bouncing around in my seat and threw myself from side to side to increase the fun. Mother, on the other hand, was absolutely terrified, presumably along with most of the other adults on board. My sister was thrown out of her cot and had to be retrieved from the other side of the cabin, and thereafter the stewards had difficulty serving food because most of the crockery had been smashed. Children have a different perspective on events. Sadly I don't remember being allowed to go down the spiral staircase or explore the other areas of plane.
Paul, e-mail, 12.07.2013 01:07
As a youngster 7, I flew from hawaii...twice in this aircraft. Left Honolulu headed for LA, got almost halfway, only to have to feather an engine. Erring on the side of caution we returned to honolulu for repairs while we remained on board. After an hour or more Of the mechanics working on the engine we took off again bound for LA. Again, near the halfway point the same engine failed for the same reason.but it was decided to divert to SF. flew the heck out of the remaining three and finally made it. Years later an aircraft of this type was lost on the same run
L Yannotti, e-mail, 17.04.2013 02:59
My Air force Career started with the C-97 at Travis 57-58 then with Transocean Airlines on Wake Island 59-60 where I met my Wife and on to the Utah ANG in SLC 1961- 1973 when they went to the Bone Yard. Great Aircraft with 28 VDC Landing gear and little Hyd. Systems over 18 years Service
loomas marshall, e-mail, 21.01.2013 15:35
does anyone remember what happened to the 377 which served lt.gen Old at march afb?? tail #8411?? it was so shinny it looked like sterling silver..
barbara gregorio, e-mail, 22.09.2012 01:29
Many fine memories of "flying the cabin" as a flt. attd. I was in the "Presidents Special" with Pan Am. We had 44 seats & 17 sleeping berths. Food was prepared by Maxims of Paris. Those "were the days". barb.g.
Ed Hausafus, e-mail, 15.08.2012 09:26
I once "flew" it sitting in dad's lap who was PAA Capt for 30 some years. It was during a ferry flight from SFO to LAX. I loved that moment which I still remember at 71.
Jerry Plumbley, e-mail, 23.07.2012 00:04
In late 1953 and into 1954 I flew in the KC97 as a Radio operator and we were refueling the B-47 Jet bomber.I was based at Barksdale AFB.
Roger Breakspear, e-mail, 14.06.2012 15:34
One of my most memorable flights was as an unaccompanied minor on a BOAC B377 from Montego Bay, Jamaica to London, England in 1958 to attend school in the UK at age 14. The 377 was previously operated by Ghana Airways and their name was still visible under the overpainted fuselage. The runway in Kingston, Jamaica was too short for the 377 so we ferried to MBJ by DC3. The initial leg (MBJ to Nassau) was delayed 24 hours for 377 maintenance in MBJ so back home to try again the following day. We taxied out for takeoff from Kngston in the DC3 only to return to the terminal for a tailwheel control problem. We eventually left later that day on a BWIA Viscount for MBJ. I was stunned by the elegance of my first glimpse of the 377. We routed Montego Bay - Nassau - New York - Bermuda - Shannon - London, 27 hours including stops. The exhaust flame from those engines at night on the Atlantic crossing will forever be remembered. I learned from the cabin crew that this flight was the last for that 377 as it was being scrapped for metal fatigue! I was so starstruck with aviation from that experience that I later learned to fly as an instrument rated private pilot, owned my own Piper Cherokee and often took our family leisure flying from our home base in Jamaica and to various destinations in the Caribbean. My son got the flying bug too and is now captain on a B777 with Emirates Airlines in Dubai, all indirectly from my 377 flight! I think I still have my Speedbird Junior pilot's wings and Logbook from that B377 flight somewhere!
Dan Keeslar, e-mail, 02.06.2012 06:12
I recall about 1970 I was able to climb inside one of these aircraft, in line to be dismantled at the airport at Mojave, California. I was amazed at its two decks, seats above and bunks and cargo bay below, and a little bar area under the tail, with windows wrapping around it. As they say: What a way to travel! Looking forward through the cockpit was like the Millennium Falcon of Star Wars, windows every direction. So sad that the Stratocruiser and others were just waiting in the desert to be cut up.
Don Branom, e-mail, 20.05.2012 19:53
Did any of these survive to make it into a museum? Don't suppose there is even one in operation?
John Carey, e-mail, 21.03.2012 10:22
My mother and I flew from LaGuardia, NY to Orly field in Paris France on the Stratocruiser, I was 12 years old in 1954. We had berths on that plane. I actually got to ride in the jump seat behind the captain up in the cockpit for about an hour before we began the descent into Paris. Many years later from Aug of 1968 until August of 1986 I worked for Western Airlines in San Diego California and saw the "Guppy" versions of this plane come to SAN and pick up saturn rocket sections and DC-10 fueslage sections that were built by General Dynamics to be flown to their final assembly plants. There was also a Turboprop conversion on some of them. It was amazing to watch the cockpit section of the Guppy swing open to the right and see them load that plane up. On takeoff it actually lifted off in a slightly nose low attitude before it would pitch nose up for climb. That flight in that plane was what inspired me to become a pilot and eventually have a 50 year aviation career. I am still flying as a contract corporate pilot and flight instructor. I still remember sitting in that seat behind the captain very clearly. What A view!
Jack Selby, e-mail, 26.02.2012 00:19
As a retired TWA Capt.retired Airforce Col.Corp chief pilot,general aviation pilot. working on 40000hrs I must say that some of the most enjoyable flying was in the stratacruser/KC97/C97ACFGH and even a couple of flights in Jack Conroy's first Guppy. We who flew the 97's called them The old girls..To many stories to tell....
A. Martin, e-mail, 31.12.2011 03:57
My father-in-law, BB Lien (Buckshot) rode as check pilot on one of these for Pan Am. 1st flight to Japan. Remember seeing news pic of the event. Anyone out there remember Buckshot?
Jane Kemp, e-mail, 18.09.2011 01:04
On 19th October 1948 I flew with my parents from San Fransisco to Auckland on a Pan Am aircraft. I remember stopping in Fiji to refuel and arrived at Whenuapai airport, Auckland. Do you have any details of this flight i.e. number of passengers and fuel stops. I am now 70 and in the process of writing my memories for my grandchildren. Sincerely Jane Kemp
Tony Patteson, e-mail, 12.06.2011 11:35
As a schoolboy I flew by BOAC in the Srtat from Heathrow to Accra, I think an 18 hour flight, via Rome and Kano. Plenty of time to get up to the flight deck. This plane was replaced by the Britannia, knocking 6 hours off the journey, but it was never the same as the Strat.
Bruce Arnold, e-mail, 04.06.2011 20:49
Actually the C-97 is built on the B-50 airframe. The B-50 is like the Silverplate B-29 of the 509Th atomic bomb wing, with enhancements, so they are very similar except the B-50 and C-97 have a higher vertical stabilizer.
Joel Bader, e-mail, 04.06.2011 15:05
I would have liked to flown in one of those aircraft as well, but I also believe Vern Baisden's comment. Robert Serling once commented that Boeing's reputation before its line of jetliners was practically nil; as an example, he cited the Stratocruiser as a "plumber's nightmare". On the other hand, the Guppy conversions played a valuable role in transporting rocket boosters and (correct me if I'm wrong) the Lunar Module which would take the Apollo astronauts to the moon. And the parts for the first of the Airbus airliners were ferried to their final assembly points in Guppy transports. I imagine many a Boeing staffer cracked a joke over this situation of events!
Joe Sutton, e-mail, 29.05.2011 22:35
About 10 days after the Korean conflict began, I was flown from Vance AFB, OK to Travis AFB, Ca by B-25. Then loaded onto a Pan AM Stratocruiser headed for Tokyo. We RON'd at Hickem in Hawaii, refueled at Wake and then into Heneda. I was airlifed into Taegue Korea within a few days. One of the greatest flying experiences I ever had in 22 years of Air Force service.
Del Borgens, e-mail, 06.04.2011 22:32
On December 31,1952, my wife and I flew from Spokane, WA to Washington D.C. on a Boeing Stratocruser operated by Northwest Airlines. This was one day after we were married. The flight attendant detected that we were newlyweds and mored our seat from the main cabin to the lower lounge. As this was an overnight flight, she roped off the lounge and put a sign on it "closed". What a flight. We had our own private room. We will never forget it.
G C Hill, e-mail, 22.03.2011 04:39
Stationed at Travis A.F.B. assigned to 1501 F.L.M.S. did postflight/turnaround(no.3 engine)on C-97s from Oct '57 to some time in '60 then worked on C-124s till seperation in '61 (dirty job)
Vern Baisden, e-mail, 17.03.2011 00:18
I worked on the Boeing 377 while working for PAA at Idlewild (now JFK). Was there during 1956-57. We called the P&W 4360 engine, "corncob", because of the 4 rows of 7 cylinders. Engines had dual ignition, so, there were 56 sparkplugs. It was usually an 8 hr. shift, just to change thr sparkplugs. One of our mechanics, while filling the water system, burst a line because of excessive pressure. Water began pouring out of the belly drain holes. When we entered the lower lounge the rug was floating on 4 inches of water.
Carl, e-mail, 07.03.2011 11:34
After attending USAF aircraft mechanics school in Texas 1958-1959 I was stationed in columbus ohio at Lockbourn AFB with the 301st bombardment group, Stratigic Air Command (SAC) and assigned as ground crew on a KC97 in-flight re-fueler until my discharge in 1962. You have'nt lived until you've changed a generator or starter motor, on the flight line, in the dead of winter, with the wind driven snow blowing so hard the stand you were working on (wheels locked) had to be strapped to that 4360 engine so you would'nt blow away. Well, that was not the hard part! Counting the 11 twists per inch on the safty wire as you tried, with frozen hands, to weave the wire through the tiny holes in the bolt heads with one inch of clearence, in a snow storm, while the crew chief (Mac) sat in the heated cabin, drunk, and watched. Aaaa, the KC97, fond memories. The KC97 had giant fuel tanks(av gas 115-145, and JP4)inside, upstairs and below, forward and aft, Mac loved to go aft and smoke, Don't worry Carl, when thier full thier LESS likely to explode. Yep, fond memories. Load it up with a 100 cartons of Marlbourghs, Paul Malls and Camels in the Azores for 86 cents a carton and sell them in London for $4.10 a carton...yep, fond memories.
Joyce Marshall Caldwell, e-mail, 19.02.2011 02:51
My dad worked for Pan Am for 36 years. I have a wonderful picture of him in front of the Stratocruiser when we were stationed on Wake Island in the early 50s. He met every inbound flight that stopped on Wake to refuel, and the passenger manifest included anyone who flew across the Pacific in those days--names like Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe (newlyweds), Douglas MacArthur, etc. The Stratocruiser was indeed a beautiful airplane, and we have many fond memories of flights between SFO and Wake, especially of sitting in the downstairs lounge (as young kids) and having the purser fix us "drinks" with maraschino cherries on top! I would love to hear the sound of those four engines again!!
peter Horsley, e-mail, 21.11.2010 07:40
In September 1951 i flew from London to New York by Stratocruiser via Gander, by DC6B to San Fransisco, and then Stratocruiser to Sydney, Australia. I remember flying through snowstorms on the first leg, violent thunderstorms over the Rocky mountains in the DC6B. We had to return to SanFransisco after an oil leak appeared in one engine which spread over the wing and then stopped in Hawaii. We then stopped overnight on Canton island while a new generator was flown in. The trip took about 48hours to complete. A wonderful experience for a 23yr old. My companion on the flight, a New Zealnd pilot complained that the pilot of the Statocruiser must have been a fighter pilot during the war!!
Tom Webber, e-mail, 08.11.2010 16:12
as an operations agent for eal at mdw in the late 50's i worked with the interchange nw mspmdw/ea mdwmia. one day we started trying to get flt info when arrival was more than an hour late from miami.dispatch/flt info was not as good back then. it was 3hrs late before we got good info about headwinds and storm avoidance. it arrived 4hrs late. regular sked was about an hour slower than connies and dc7's.
Phil C., e-mail, 07.11.2010 00:57
As a schoolboy flying between Bermuda and London I was priveliged to have seven flights in various B.O.A.C. Srats. Usually because of headwinds we made stops in such places as Gander in Newfoundland, Goose Bay in Labrador, even once in Montreal, and a couple of times in Iceland. Once I even saw Greenland between London & Bermuda. Compared to today's jets they were slow, but oh so comfortable and spacious. It was the way to go.
Bob L, e-mail, 02.11.2010 03:11
I was in the 157th MATS Air National Guard NH. Worked on the C-97 for 2 years before we received C124's. Was in the Engine shop. 1964-1968. Loved this airplane. Been quite a few places in them..
Buz Allen, e-mail, 10.10.2010 03:00
I ate lunch inside a KC-97 yesterday that has been converted into a fine restaurant at the Colorado Springs airport KCOS. The Airplane Restaurant, way cool if love old Boeings!! I flew a KC-135 for four and a half yrs.in the USAF all over S.E.Asia mainly re-fueling F-4 Phantoms.
Ron Johnson, e-mail, 09.10.2010 19:56
I remmember the first time I saw this plane was as we were leaving Japan. It was in 1952 at Toyko Airport. This was my second time that I lived in Japan. First time was 1947 to 1948. The second time was 1950 to 1952. Both times we lived at Grant Heights, next door to Camp Drake. We flew out in the fall of 1950. We made two stops on the way to San Franciso, Ca. The total time of the flight I was told was 19 hours and but it felt longer than that.
Jim Hommel, e-mail, 30.09.2010 10:06
My second airline flight was on NWA flight 10 MSP to SEA on a B377. Had just made my first airline ride on a North Central CV34 MKC - MSP headed for Seattle from AC "A" school at NAS Olathe. Smooth plush ride. Reminded me of a 1948 Chrysler New Yorker.
Chris P, e-mail, 06.08.2010 00:44
In 1956, at age 8, flew with my family from Los Angeles to Manila, Philippines aboard Pan American "Soveriegn of the Skies". Great airplane, great airline, great staff. Two trips later, this same aircraft had to ditch in the Pacific Ocean. Aircraft floated with all passengers on top of the wings until they were picked up by a passing freighter. No injuries at all. This ditching was featured on the cover of "Life" magazine.
John A, e-mail, 04.07.2010 08:18
Does anyone know where I can see pictures of what the aircraft looked like inside? Thank You Peace and Joy!
John Hancocks, e-mail, 07.03.2010 09:28
I've clocked up countless passenger miles from age 5, this must be the most comfortable aircraft I've even flown in, and certainly the most luxurious, fond memories of that flight in 1961, BOAC Heathrow/Accra and return.
Jim Slaughter, e-mail, 26.02.2010 19:28
I was an RO, Radio Operator on a KC-97, Ariel Tanker in the 305th ARS. (Air Refueling Squadron), 305th (Bomb Group). BG Paul Tibbits Comanding. McDill AFB Tampa, FL in the late 50's. It was "good duty" after the KB-29s. {{Look at 'em together.)) B -29 and C-97. The C-97 is a "double decked B-29.
Recordo, e-mail, 21.02.2010 16:39
Heard that same thunder-organ living under the approach/departure to 04/31 at Idlewild, now JFK. Fully loaded for transatlantic flight, these birds as well as the Super-Gs climbed out at around 300 fpm heading for the ocean. At night the turbochargers' blue flame made TV unnecessary.
Kirk Hoffman, e-mail, 13.12.2009 22:47
I grew up under the flight path out of O'hare, You haven't lived till you hear all 4 4360's at full throttle on climbout. What I would give to hear that music one more time.
Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 04:24
It was 1 April 1956 when it was announced in the newspapers that the first STRATOCRUISER would arrive at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam. The whole city came to the airport, standing room only-then a Dakota with a big banner reading Strato Cruiser came at the airport- April fools
Enrique Dillon, e-mail, 12.06.2009 18:38
Can anybody give me an idea for waht reason the 377 had a function on one of the overhead panels to retract the landing gear with the plane on the ground?
Becky, e-mail, 25.05.2009 08:43
I have a feeling I wasn't standing behind you waiting for a turn, so where was I?
William Ott, e-mail, 26.03.2009 18:08
I used to work many years ago at AeroSpace Lines in Santa Barbara Ca. on the Super Guppy. Loved working there ! I was on the crew that did C-97 and 377 recovery and teardown. Our crew also did all the wing and engine nacell modifications for the Guppy conversion.I sure hated to tear down the doner aircraft as I knew there would soon be no more 377s left.
Bob Kuberski, e-mail, 12.03.2009 05:59
I grew up next to Midway Airport in Chicago in the '50's. Believe it or not but my buddy and I would walk to the airport, beg the counter people for souveniers and tours of the aircraft. The 377 was my first and was blown away buy its size and the spacious cockpit. I was always impressed because it looked so much like a B-29. The smoke and chest rattling noise that ensued at engine startup never failed to move me. So did the oil leaks!
JOHN J PANOSKI, e-mail, 07.07.2008 05:25
I was a Flight Engineer on a C/KC-97 A, E, F &G's At the time it was a terrific aircraft, but was a heavy oil consumer. (R-4360 engines) We had to cruise control the oil system as we had 32 GL oil tanks for each engine and a central oil tank of 56 GL which we could transfer oil to each eangine as it was consumed. You never put more than 2-3 GL when transfering because if you had to shutdown and engine for a failure you would not have enough to complete the mission. You normally would let the quantity burn down to 7 GL's before you would replenish. Often we had to shut-down an engine during the flight to conserve oil and restart it for the descent and approach and landing,
matt, e-mail, 19.11.2007 02:38
this was one beautiful bird
Don, e-mail, 25.10.2007 03:00
When I was a kid, I had a metal model of the Stratocruiser. It had a friction motor and props that turned with the friction motor. It was probably 16" or so wingspan. Wish I had it now.
Leo, e-mail, 23.07.2007 20:04
A friend of mine is 90 years old and was a pilot for american airlines. He flew the Boeing 377 between Los Angeles and Hawaii.
mike, e-mail, 08.07.2007 17:26
how much fuel that plane can carry and were the fuel tanks are located? thanks a lot mike
Casey Burns, e-mail, 17.02.2007 08:00
My first airplane ride was on one of these. I was four and a half years old. My father was the last Navy personel to leave Kwajaleen atol when it was turned over to the Army as a missle range back in 1959. We arrived by ship and left on a MATS flight. My father took my sisters and myself up to the cockpit and the Capt. let me sit in his seat when he left to get a cup of coffee. I remeber my sisters standing between the Capt.'s seat and the windows to the left of the seat. I put my hands on the control wheel and could feel the autopilot making corrections but thought to myself "I'm flying this thing and it's easy!" It was then and there that I decided to be a pilot. I still remember the First Officer laughing as I "flew" that airplane while my sisters kept telling me it was their turn. I got my pilot license at seventeen and am a Capt. for Alaska Airlines on the B-737 going on 21 years now. All because of the Boeing 377.
