The revolutionary Boeing 247 first flew as a prototype in May of 1930. It was the first aircraft of it's type to incorporate a combination of modern aircraft design features. It featured a fully metal cantilevered low fuselage mounted monoplane configured wing system, retractable landing gear, variable pitch propellers, wing and tail de-icing systems. Powered by (two) 550 horsepower Wasp Major Radials. It proved safely able to climb under the power of only one engine.
The example you see below first flew on February 8th, 1933. It demonstrated reliable operation over it's service life. Seventy Five model 247's were produced, some seeing service with the Boeing Air Transport system (United Air lines), Luft-Hansa of Germany. Twenty seven 247's were used by the USAAF in 1942 as heavy cargo and troop transports.
In Army service they were redesignated C-73 and fitted with (two) 600 hp. R-1340-AN-1 engines. At the end of the war they were returned to civilian service.
Specifications Boeing Model 247D;Engines (two) 410 kW. (550 hp) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S1H1G Wasp Radials, Wing Span; 22.56 m. (74' 0"), Length 15.72 m. (51' 7"), Maximum take off weight; 6,193 kg. (13,650 lbs.), Maximum cruising speed; 304 km/h. (189 mph.), Range; 1,207 km. (750 miles.)
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The Boeing 247 faced competition from the impressive Douglas aircraft being produced shortly afterwards, but there is no doubt that Boeing took the first step in producing this remarkable airplane, well ahead of it's time.