Boeing’s 377 Stratocruiser was the company’s first foray into commercial aircraft after WW ll. The aircraft was an offshoot of a previous aircraft that Boeing had designed, the C-97 Stratofreighter. First introduced with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in 1949 as a commercial airliner, the aircraft could carry approximately 114 passengers and boasted many new amenities including a pressurized aircraft cabin, two passenger decks (the main deck and a lounge below). While only 56 Stratocruisers were ever built, the airplane was one of the most luxurious aircraft of its day. The Stratocruiser operated with several airlines up until 1961 when it was officially retired by all of the airlines then operating them and replaced with newer, jet-powered aircraft.
Long ago the Museum’s Mini-Guppy looked much different (and was a lot smaller!) In fact, its first incarnation is all but unrecognizable to us today. This life began with humble origins, the Mini-Guppy being born as a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser (Boeing’s first post WW ll commercial aircraft) that was delivered to Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) on September 8, 1949. The airplane would see commercial service until 1960 when it was officially placed out of service and traded back to Boeing.