Hobby Master Airliner Series HL4003
Boeing Stratocruiser Diecast Model
Northwest Airlines, N74606 "Washington", 1949 |
| 1:200 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing Stratocruiser | | 6.5" | | 8.5" |
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.
Designed as a long-range airliner for premier services across the Atlantic and the Pacific, the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was first flown on July 8, 1947. This luxurious post-war double-decker propeller airliner had a spiral staircase leading to a lower-level lounge and state-of-the-art pressurization, but it was expensive to maintain and operate. Just 56 of the type were built as airliners-the remaining saw service as C-97 military transports or KC-97 tankers. Stratocruisers continued to fly commercially until the 1960s, when the introduction of the Boeing 707 and the de Havilland Comet made them obsolete. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:200 scale Stratocruiser is an exceptionally well crafted model. The fuselage is constructed from separate upper and lower castings, accurately replicating the two intersecting circular fuselage sections of the actual aircraft, and joined together with a near seamless fit. The solid metal wings are finely cast featuring a near razor thin trailing edge and integrated engine nacelles. Additional details include pad-printed windows and doors recreated in crisp scale miniature, a delicate top mounted antenna and metal landing gear. The series includes passenger airliners and military variants such as the C-97 freighter and KC-97 tanker with a configurable tail boom probe.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:200 Airliner Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of civilian aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:200 Airliner Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
