Boeing Monomail

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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

Model 221 of United Airlines

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

United Air Lines' Cheyenne
-Chicago route.

The advanced design of the Monomail was hampered by the lack of suitable

P-26 Peashooter
of the USAAC), respectively.

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

 United States
  • Boeing Air Transport
  • United Air Lines

Specifications (Model 221)

General characteristics

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.

External links