Boeing 314 Clipper
Boeing · United States · first flew 1938 · airliner
The Boeing 314 Clipper was a giant four-engined flying boat that operated luxurious long-range transoceanic passenger services in the years around the Second World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Deep boat hull fuselage for water take-off and landing |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Deep boat hull fuselage for water take-off and landing
- High straight wing with four large radial engines
- Sponsons (sea-wings) at the waterline instead of wingtip floats
A vast flying boat with a deep planing hull, high straight wing, four radials and stabilising sponsons at the waterline rather than wingtip floats.
Specifications
- The Boeing 314 Clipper has a length of 32.3 m (106 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 46.3 m (152 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 320 km/h (199 mph).
- Typical crew: 10.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1938, just twelve were built, most flying for Pan American Airways. With sleeping berths and dining service, they pioneered scheduled transatlantic and transpacific air travel.
Variants
Built as the original 314 and the improved long-range 314A, several were pressed into wartime transport service carrying Allied leaders across the oceans.
Where you'll see it
Clippers flew Pan Am's Atlantic and Pacific routes and BOAC operated a small number in British service during the war. None survive intact today, though replicas and artefacts are displayed in museums.
Related aircraft
- Boeing 307 Stratoliner
- Boeing 314A Clipper
- Boeing P-26C Peashooter
- B-17 Flying Fortress
- PZL PZL.44 Wicher
- Renard R.35
- Aero A.304
- Junkers Ju 90
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