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Boeing 40B-2 Air Mail Plane

Specifications

Boeing 40B-2 Air Mail Plane

Category

Transportation

Classification

CHENHALL - Distribution & Transportation Objects - Aerospace Transportation T&E - Aircraft - Airplane - Biplane

Object Origin
Manufacturer:

Boeing

Date Manufactured:

c. 1928

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Biplane type aircraft with two (2) fixed wings (reddish-orange on the outer side, silver on the interior side) stacked on top of each other with vertical support beams running the length of the wings. The body of the plane is mostly green with silver middle portion running the length of the body with reddish-orange stripe highlights. Logo is located towards tail end within the silver portion. Body includes the passenger seats (two, one in front o...

Marks: Logo: "UNITED AIRLINES" Text: "NC 288"

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 11 ft 9 in, Length: 33 ft 8 in, Width: 44 ft 9 in
    Weight: 6,091 lbs

Credit

Gift of United Airlines, Inc., 35.2

Display Status

On Exhibit

Boeing 40B-2 Air Mail Plane

About: Boeing 40B-2 Air Mail Plane

About: Boeing 40B-2 Air Mail Plane

The Boeing 40B-2 was an important early air mail plane first introduced in the late 1920s. This Boeing Model 40B-2 flew airmail between Chicago and San Francisco and is one of the only two remaining Boeing Model 40 aircrafts. Initially, the government ran the earliest form of airmail service.


In 1927, Boeing Air Transport (BAT) introduced the Boeing’s Model 40B-2 and became the first privately operated airplane to provide transcontinental airmail and passenger service. With a large cargo area for both mail and people, it made air mail delivery faster and more dependable across the U.S. Later, BAT merged with several smaller companies to form the company known today as United Airlines.

Additional information

Copyright information

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