Hobby Master Airliner Series HL4004
Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Diecast Model
USAF MATS, #48-0399 |
| 1:200 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter | | 6.5" | | 8.5" |
The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) was a major command of the United States Air Force from 1948-1965. Established on 1 June 1948 by the Department of Defense, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service (NATS) and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command (ATC) into a single, joint, unified command. Its mission was to provide an air transportation system for military personnel and equipment between United States military bases worldwide. One of the aircraft MATS used was the C-97 Stratofreighter. Boeing identified the military C-97 as the Boeing Model 367. The first production C-97A was delivered in late 1949. The initial military order was for 27 C-97A and increased to 50. C-97 48-399 S/N 16011 was the third aircraft produced in the first batch of 27.
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 2003-2020 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.
