Boeing Monomail
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2017) ) |
Model 200 and 221 Monomail | |
---|---|
Model 200 | |
Role | Airliner |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
First flight | 6 May 1930 |
Retired | 1933 |
Status | Retired |
Primary user | United Airlines |
Number built | 1 Model 200 1 Model 221 |
Developed into | Boeing YB-9 |
The Boeing Model 200 Monomail was an American mail plane of the early 1930s.
Design and development
The aircraft marked a departure from the traditional biplane configuration for a transport aircraft, instead featuring a single, low set, all metal cantilever wing. Retractable landing gear and a streamlined fuselage added to the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft. A single example was constructed for evaluation by both Boeing and the US Army (under the designation Y1C-18) but no mass production ensued, and the aircraft eventually joined Boeing's fleet on the San Francisco-Chicago air mail route from July 1931.
A second version was developed as the Model 221, with a fuselage stretched by 8 inches (20 cm) that sacrificed some of its cargo capacity to carry six passengers in an enclosed cabin; the single pilot, however, sat in an open
The advanced design of the Monomail was hampered by the lack of suitable
Variants
- Model 200
- mailplane (1 built)
- Model 221
- mailplane with capacity for 6 passengers (1 built)
- Model 221A
- Model 200 and 221 converted as 8-passenger airliners
- Model 231
- Planned lengthened version of Model 221, not built.
Operators
- Boeing Air Transport
- United Air Lines
Specifications (Model 221)
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 6 passengers
- Length: 42 ft 0 in (12.75 m)
- Wingspan: 59 ft 0 in (18 m)
- Airfoil: Boeing 106
- Gross weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial engine, 575 hp (428.8 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 158 mph (254 km/h, 137 kn)
- Cruise speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn)
- Range: 575 mi (925 km, 500 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 14,700 ft (4,480.5 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- Boeing History - Boeing Monomail Transport Retrieved June 17, 2006.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.