The Boeing 247 holds a unique and pioneering place in the story of commercial aviation. Though only a handful survive today, preserved in museums across North America and Europe, the aircraft represents a vital turning point in the evolution of the modern airliner. Visiting a surviving Boeing 247 isn’t just about seeing an old aircraft—it’s about standing face-to-face with the blueprint of what passenger flight would become.
In this article, we’ll explore the surviving examples of the Boeing 247 around the world, and how you can visit them. But first, let’s look back at the history of this remarkable aircraft and why it mattered so much.
A Brief History of the Boeing 247
When it first flew in 1933, the Boeing 247 was a technological leap forward. It was the first all-metal, twin-engine airliner to feature monoplane construction, a fully cantilevered wing, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed cockpit and passenger cabin—all key features that would define future airliners.
Built by Boeing Airplane Company, the 247 was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial engines and carried 10 passengers in relative comfort and speed for the time. It could cruise at over 180 mph, significantly faster than its predecessors like the Ford Trimotor or Fokker F.VII, and it marked the beginning of the streamlined, modern era of air transport.
The aircraft was designed largely at the request of United Air Lines, which was owned by Boeing’s parent company at the time. As a result, the early production run was largely snapped up by United, shutting out competitors and prompting rival airline TWA to seek an alternative aircraft—which would soon come in the form of the Douglas DC-2, and later the legendary DC-3.
Despite its many innovations, the Boeing 247 had one critical flaw: it was too small. With space for just 10 passengers and limited baggage capacity, it was quickly outclassed by the DC-3, which could carry 21 passengers and was more economical to operate. The Douglas design also proved easier to scale and more versatile, leading to its mass adoption worldwide.
Still, the Boeing 247 had a profound impact. It was the first true modern airliner, the prototype from which all others would follow. Pilots praised its handling, and it served with both commercial and military operators—including the U.S. Army Air Corps as the C-73—well into the 1940s.
Only 75 Boeing 247s were ever built, but their influence far outlived their numbers.
Boeing 247 Survivors
Here are the details of all known surviving Boeing 247 aircraft around the world.
CF-JRQ – Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Boeing 247 CF-JRQ. Photo (c) Pete Webber
This aircraft, with construction number 1699, began life as United Airlines’ NC13318.
In June 1940 it was sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force as CF-BQS, and later 7638. For a time Canadian Pacific Airlines flew it, as did Penn-Central Airlines from 1945 as NC41809.
Today it is preserved at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe, Ottawa.
N18E – National Collections Centre, UK
Incredibly rare Boeing 247 at Wroughton
Began life with United Airlines as NC13340, this aircraft (construction number 1722) later became NC18E and N18E, which it retains to this day. It has been one of the star items in the Science Museum’s store at Wroughton, near Swindon, UK. This site, now known as the National Collections Centre, is sadly out of bounds apart from a few open days per year. Even then, the Boeing 247 is not necessarily on display.
[Read: Inside Britain’s Secret Collection of Rare Airliners – The National Collections Centre]
N13347 – Museum of Flight, Seattle
Aaron headly, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Today a part of this iconic museum’s collection of important aircraft and prototypes at the place where Boeing began life. This aircraft first flew for Penn-Central Airlines as NC13347 in 1933, and later flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force as CF-BTB and 7389. Later Maritime Central Airways and United Airlines both owned the aircraft in the 1940s.
N11 – National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC
The final preserved Boeing 247 you can still see is in the collection of the National Air & Space Museum on the Mall in Washington DC.
This aircraft began life as NC13369 with United Airlines (construction number 1953) in 1934, and was later operated privately as N11. Today it is preserved in its United Airlines markings and suspended from the ceiling.
Have you ever seen a Boeing 247? Leave a comment below.
