Boeing 307 Stratoliner

[Bazzarius]

Hello all.

I have scoured the net and downloaded whatever I can find on the cockpit of this aeroplane.
The problem I have is that I am trying to decipher all the placards for the various controls.
Some are reasonably clear in some pics but I have drawn a blank on all the labels for the pedestal.

Does anybody here have anything suitable or perhaps has visited the sole survivor at the Smithsonian and by chance, taken any cockpit shots?

It is quite extraordinary how little detailed reference there is available for this machine. I have a POH but that is devoid of any clear pictures or drawings of the cockpit and its controls.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Baz.

[washoutt]

No picture? Or should I click on Quote or something?

[Jhieminga]

You mention a POH, but for a larger type like this it would be a Flight Manual or something like that. Have you tried some of the options available here: https://www.eflightmanuals.com/ITEM_EFM/SITEM_EFM.asp?cID=4734 Standards for such documents were different in those days, so don't expect the level of detail that you get for a modern airliner.
I don't think visitors are allowed inside airframes at the Smithsonian, so finding photos from people who have been there is going to be a dead end I suspect. You could try the historic department at Boeing, if they have such a thing, or their press office. I have seen photos online with their (modern) logo on it, so I'm sure they will have something in their archives. There's also 'Cosmic Muffin', the Stratoliner fuselage converted to a boat in Fort Lauderdale, FL. You could try to get in touch with the owner and ask what they have available.

[Bazzarius]

Yes I have all or certainly most of the available manuals and documents. None have detail of the cockpit. The Boeing archives have quite a few pictures taken in the cockpit of original aircraft but again, neither sharp enough nor detailed enough to reveal placards. I need the information for a fllight simulation project and I can't complete the cockpit to satisfactory standards without it. "Cosmic Muffin" has a much modified cockpit with modern boat controls. For those who are not aware, the original aircraft from which the fuselage was taken was Howard Hughes' personal Stratoliner. He ordered it for an attempt at a world record but didn't use it. He converted the interior into a luxury "apartment" and call the finished aircraft, "The Flying Penthouse". Only 10 airframes were built and only one example, the one in the Smithsonian, survives.

[Jhieminga]

Have you tried contacting the Smithsonian? They will have some photos of the interior of their exhibit I suspect, but getting in touch with them may be the challenge.

I know that the flight deck of the Cosmic Muffin is very different from its flying days, but still the owner may well have photos or documents that go back to early days.

According to this article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/chuck-yeagers-cockpit-180964968/ some of the Smithsonian cockpits were captured in 360 degree panoramas. I don't know if they're available online or whether the 307 is included, but you could look for this, or search for the photographer/company mentioned. See also: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-070903a.html

[Pypard]

No picture? Or should I click on Quote or something?

You should be able to upload by clicking the 'picture' icon - the one that says "Upload" when you run the pointer over it.

[TLB]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x464/b307_cedbd6c0b51c26b37899b7557088f23ae5a9a775.jpg
From: Boeing 307 Stratoliner (http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/307.html)

[Pypard]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x464/b307_cedbd6c0b51c26b37899b7557088f23ae5a9a775.jpg
From: Boeing 307 Stratoliner (http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/307.html)
None of the labels are legible...?

[Asturias56]

According to the Smithsonian site the heir pics may have been taken by Eric Long

https://airandspace.si.edu/people/staff/eric-long
[email protected] (https://airandspace.si.edu/people/staff/[email protected])
202-633-3502

worth dropping him an email

[DHfan]

You should be able to upload by clicking the 'picture' icon - the one that says "Upload" when you run the pointer over it.

He didn't want to upload. He was expecting to see a picture.

[Pypard]

He didn't want to upload. He was expecting to see a picture.

I think the OP was requesting an image rather than wanting to post one? An image showing the placards?

[bafanguy]

Wasn't the B307 the first airplane of its category to have a separate, dedicated F/E position in the cockpit ? Or do I have it confused with another airplane ?

[DHfan]

I think the OP was requesting an image rather than wanting to post one? An image showing the placards?

Precisely, which is why I wondered why you told washoutt how to upload a picture.

[Pypard]

Precisely, which is why I wondered why you told washoutt how to upload a picture.

Steady there fella: it was Washoutt asking what to upload, not me.

[DHfan]

No, he thought the OP had posted a picture but he couldn't see it.

[Bazzarius]

The major problem here is that as little exists of original reference, I have to rely on what I can get. The B307 was requisitioned by the Army in the war. It's cockpit fittings were changed and additional equipment installed so shots of the C-75 are totally different to the civilian Stratoliner. The one in the Smithsonian is restored but looking at the shots, of which there are quite a few (unfortunately not detailed enough) it too is significantly different, particularly in the overhead panel, to original examples in early photographs. This is presumably because as it was restored to flying condition, it required modifications.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1667/boeing_307_cockpit_background_9838b2f2866594bc0a4ecb8ec9ed5d 89ac8a4048.jpg
This is the best I can get on an original Stratoliner cockpit.

[megan]

Bazzarius, from the flight manual, exact placement not given.

Saw a pristine example in polished silver on the Tan Son Nhut ramp 9 September 1970.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1656x807/b36_e2ee87a9d679a179ef005d25844dd3492204338a.png

[Bazzarius]

Hello, yes I have this info but again, nothing for the critical controls and switches etc. The engineer's panel, in particular, has a lot of components like fuel tank valves, air conditioning/pressurisation valves and levers etc. but I can't read the type printed or engraved on them. Perhaps if I show you a couple of screenshots from my simulator model, you will see the problem I have!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1914x1062/startcockd_45723725180822980043e907ad7baa57ccda4658.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1914x1062/stratcocka_54b7ed1d8a463e30562bd66ef7980431473270a3.jpg

[Asturias56]

I've looked at a few pictures and Bazzarius is correct - they show all the dials etc but there are no close ups and the resolution on the images on the web are too lo-def to enlarge

You need to go back to the original pictures or photographers I guess - like Eric Long

[washoutt]

Sorry, DHfan et al, I did think the OP had posted a picture. Therefore I asked where it was. Apologies for the confusion.

[DHfan]

No problem. I wasn't confused.