Boeing 247
Interwar (1919–1938)
The Boeing 247 was the first all-metal, twin-engine, low-wing monoplane airliner — and the airframe that obsoleted every single airliner that came before it. First flown on 8 February 1933, the 247 introduced retractable landing gear, autopilot, deicing boots, and stressed-skin all-metal construction in a single integrated package. 75 airframes were built between 1933 and 1935. The 247 was rapidly outclassed by the Douglas DC-3 after only two years, but its design philosophy defined every airliner since.
The 247 carried 10 passengers in a heated, soundproofed cabin at 189 mph (304 km/h) cruise — about 70% faster than the trimotor airliners (Ford Tri-Motor, Fokker F.VIIb-3m) it replaced. Power came from two Pratt & Whitney S1D1 Wasp 9-cylinder air-cooled radials (550 hp each). Range about 745 miles. United Airlines, the launch customer, ordered 60 aircraft (out of the eventual 75-airframe production run) in 1932 — making the order one of the most consequential single airline contracts in aviation history.
The 247's commercial dominance was short-lived because Boeing made one long-range mistake: the launch order tied up the entire production line for over a year, locking out TWA and other airlines that wanted the new airframe. TWA's response was to hire Donald Douglas to build a competitor — the DC-1 (1933), DC-2 (1934), and DC-3 (1936) — which were larger (21 passengers vs. 247's 10), faster, and longer-range. By 1936 the DC-3 had effectively replaced the 247 in airline service. Boeing exited the airliner-construction business after the 247 and concentrated on military aircraft until the post-war 707 era.
The 247's design legacy is enormous despite the short commercial life. It established the all-metal twin-engine monoplane as the canonical airliner configuration; this layout was used by every commercial airliner from the DC-3 to the modern Boeing 787. About four 247s survive today: one at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, one at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, one at the Western Canada Aviation Museum, and one at the Royal Air Force Museum.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Boeing 247 was the first modern airliner. Compared to earlier 1920s passenger planes (which were drafty wooden biplanes), the 247 was a sleek metal monoplane with two engines, retractable landing gear that folded into the wings, and an enclosed comfortable cabin for 10 passengers and 3 crew.
Boeing built the 247 in 1932-1934. It was about 51 feet long — longer than a school bus. It could fly from coast to coast with just a few short stops, much faster than any other airliner of the time. The 247 made the cross-country trip in 20 hours instead of 32.
Only 75 Boeing 247s were ever built. The reason: Boeing gave first delivery to its sister company United Airlines, and refused to sell to anyone else until United got 60 planes. So competitors went to Douglas Aircraft, which built the DC-2 (1934) and DC-3 (1936). Those planes were bigger and cheaper — and Boeing lost the airliner market for years.
Today only one flyable Boeing 247 exists, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. A second one is on display at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. The 247 introduced features every airliner still uses: all-metal construction, retractable landing gear, twin engines, an autopilot, and de-icing for the wings.
Fun Facts
- The Boeing 247 was the first modern airliner — all-metal, twin-engine, with retractable landing gear.
- It cut U.S. coast-to-coast flying time from 32 hours to 20 hours.
- Only 75 Boeing 247s were ever built — Boeing kept them for its own airline (United).
- Boeing's refusal to sell 247s to other airlines pushed competitors to Douglas, who built the much-more-successful DC-3.
- The 247's invention of retractable landing gear (folding into the wings) became standard on every airliner since.
- Only one flyable Boeing 247 exists today, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
- Boeing's competitors began calling it "the airplane that was too smart for its own good" because the company outsmarted itself by keeping it for United.
Kids’ Questions
Why did Boeing lose its lead to Douglas?
Boeing made a strategic mistake. The 247 was a beautiful breakthrough — but Boeing kept it for United Airlines (Boeing's sister company at the time), refusing to sell to other airlines until United got 60. Other airlines couldn't wait. American Airlines and TWA went to Douglas, who built the DC-2 (1934) — bigger and cheaper than the 247. Boeing realized too late and tried to sell the 247 elsewhere, but the DC-2 (and later the DC-3) had taken over. About 10,000 DC-3s vs 75 Boeing 247s — that's a massive defeat for Boeing. The lesson: don't keep your best product for yourself when competitors are right behind you.
How was the 247 different from earlier airliners?
The 247 introduced features that became standard on all later airliners. Earlier airliners (like the Ford Trimotor) had wood frames, exposed engines, fixed landing gear, and uncovered cockpits. The 247 had an all-metal body, two streamlined engines, retractable landing gear that folded into the wings to reduce drag, an enclosed cockpit with heating, and even an autopilot for long flights. Every modern airliner uses the same basic features the 247 invented. The trade-off: the 247 was only meant for 10 passengers, while the Douglas DC-3 (1936) carried 21 — so it became the bigger commercial winner.
Variants
- 247 (basic, 60 built)
- United Airlines launch order. Pratt & Whitney S1D1 Wasp engines, 10 passengers, 189 mph cruise. First flight 8 February 1933.
- 247D (75 total built)
- Production refresh with cowling, NACA cowls, and propeller updates. About 15 built. Slightly higher cruise speed, otherwise similar.
Notable Operators
- United Airlines (launch customer)
- Ordered 60 airframes (the full first production run). Operated 247s on transcontinental U.S. routes 1933-1936. Aircraft replaced by DC-3s thereafter.
- Lufthansa, Western Air Express, others
- Smaller fleets. Approximately 15 247s went to operators outside United Airlines after United began retiring its fleet for DC-3s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was revolutionary about the Boeing 247?
It was the first airliner to combine all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, autopilot, deicing boots, twin engines on a low wing, and a heated soundproofed cabin in a single integrated package. Each of these features had appeared individually before; the 247 was the first to bring them together. The configuration defined every airliner since.
Why was the Boeing 247 obsoleted so quickly?
Because TWA hired Donald Douglas to build a competitor — the DC-1 (1933), DC-2 (1934), and DC-3 (1936) — which were larger (21 passengers vs. 247's 10), faster, and longer-range. By 1936 the DC-3 had effectively replaced the 247 in airline service. The DC-3's commercial run lasted into the 1950s and beyond.
How many Boeing 247s were built?
75 airframes between 1933 and 1935. United Airlines took 60; the rest went to smaller domestic operators and a few European airlines. Production ended after the 1935 model year because the DC-2/DC-3 had captured the market.
How many Boeing 247s survive?
About four. One at the Museum of Flight in Seattle (Boeing's home town), one at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, one at the Western Canada Aviation Museum (Winnipeg), and one at the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford.
How fast did the Boeing 247 fly?
Cruise speed 189 mph (304 km/h) — about 70% faster than the trimotor airliners (Ford Tri-Motor, Fokker F.VIIb-3m) it replaced. Range 745 miles. The combination of speed, range, and 10-passenger capacity at a profitable seat-mile cost made the 247 the airliner that proved scheduled airline service could compete with rail.
Sources
See Also
- Douglas DC-3 — Larger, faster competitor that obsoleted the 247
- Douglas DC-2 — Direct DC-3 predecessor and 247 competitor
- Boeing 377 Stratocruiser — Boeing's later post-war airliner re-entry
- Boeing 707 — Boeing's eventual jet-age return to airliner manufacturing