Hobby Master 1/200 HL4008 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Israel Air Force, 4X-FPY "Massada", 1960s
Hobby Master 1/200 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Israel Air Force, 4X-FPY "Massada", 1960s HL4008
The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was the commercial version of the C-97 Stratofreighter. The two- level 377 was pressurized and could accommodate 50 to 100 passengers. On long flights the aircraft could accommodate 28 upper and lower bunk units. This led to the aircraft being referred to as the �Flying Hotel�. The 377 was larger and could fly further than the Constellation or the DC-6 but the engines and complexity of the aircraft proved to be too costly to operate bringing production to an end in 1950.
Contract Number 15964 was delivered to American Overseas Airlines on January 5, 1950 as N90948 and �Flagship Scotland�. In September 1950 it was sold to Pan American who withdrew the aircraft from service in 1961. On February 2, 1962 it was sold to Israeli Aircraft Industries as 4X-AOI and converted to a freighter with rear clam shell doors and a side cargo door. On February 1, 1964 it was delivered to the IDF/ Air Force as 4X-FPY �Massada�. On October 16, 1975 it was struck off charge.