| Model 80 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Boeing Air Transport |
| Number built | 16 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | September 20, 1928, withBoeing Air Transport |
| First flight | July 27, 1928 |
| Retired | 1934 |
TheBoeing 80 is anAmerican airliner of the 1920s. A three-enginedbiplane, the Model 80 was built by the Boeing Airplane Company for Boeing's own airline,Boeing Air Transport, successfully carrying bothairmail and passengers on scheduled services.
Boeing Air Transport was formed on February 17, 1927, byWilliam Boeing to operate theContract Air Mail (CAM) service betweenSan Francisco andChicago (CAM.18), taking over the route on July 1, 1927.[1] The route was initially operated by single-enginedBoeing 40Abiplanes, which could carry four passengers, which provided a useful supplement to the subsidized revenue from carrying airmail.
In order to take better advantage of passenger traffic, Boeing decided that it needed a larger aircraft that was more suitable for passenger carrying, and in early 1928 designed atrimotor aircraft capable of carrying 12 passengers, the Model 80.[2] Unlike theFokker F-10 andFord Trimotors operated by other U.S. airlines, the Model 80 was a biplane, chosen to give good takeoff and landing performance when operating from difficult airfields on its routes, many of which were at relatively high altitude. The fuselage was of fabric covered steel and aluminium tube construction, and carried its 12 passengers in three-abreast seating in a well-appointed cabin.[3][4] The flight crew of two sat in an enclosed flight deck forward of the passenger cabin. The wings were of fabric covered steel andduralumin construction, with detachable wingtips to aid storage in hangars.[3][5]
The first Model 80, powered by threePratt & Whitney Waspradial engines, flew on July 27, 1928.[3][4] It was followed by three more Model 80s before production switched to the improved Model 80A, which was longer, allowing 18 passengers to be carried, and was powered by more powerfulPratt & Whitney Hornet engines, first flying on July 18, 1929,[6] and receiving itsairworthiness certificate on August 20, 1929.[7][8]
The Model 80 carried out its first scheduled mail and passenger service for Boeing Air Transport on September 20, 1928,[4] and soon proved successful.[3] The improved Model 80A entered service in September 1929.[9]
In May 1930, Boeing Air Transport introduced femaleflight attendants, hiring eight including chief stewardessEllen Church; all were unmarried registered nurses. Flights carrying stewardesses began on May 15.[10] The Model 80 and 80A remained in service with Boeing Air Transport (later renamedUnited Airlines) until replaced by theBoeing 247 twin-enginedmonoplane in 1934.[9]
A single Model 80A-1, modified as a freighter for use in Alaska, was salvaged from a dump atAnchorage Airport in 1960, and following restoration is now on display at theMuseum of Flight inSeattle.[9][13]
Data from Boeing Aircraft since 1916[14]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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