Boeing 80 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Model 80 |
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| Role | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First flight | July 27, 1928 |
| Introduction | 1928 |
| Retired | 1934 |
| Primary user | Boeing Air Transport |
| Number built | 16 |
| Unit cost | $75,000 (Model 80A) |
The Boeing 80 was an American airliner built by the Boeing Airplane Company. It was a large biplane (meaning it had two sets of wings, one above the other) with three engines. This plane was special because it could carry both mail and passengers, helping to connect cities across the United States.
Contents
Building the Boeing 80
The story of the Boeing 80 began on February 17, 1927. That's when William E. Boeing started a company called Boeing Air Transport. On July 1, 1927, this new company began flying mail between San Francisco and Chicago. At first, they used a smaller plane called the Boeing Model 40A.
Soon, Boeing decided to build a bigger plane. They wanted a plane that could carry more passengers. So, in 1928, they designed the Model 80. This new plane was much larger and could carry 12 people. The pilots had their own special cockpit at the front, separate from the passengers.
The very first Boeing 80 flew for the first time on July 27, 1928. After building four of these planes, Boeing made an even better version. This new plane was called the Boeing 80A. It was longer and could carry up to 18 people. It also had more powerful engines. The first Boeing 80A took to the skies on July 18, 1929.
Flying High
The Boeing 80 started flying for Boeing Air Transport on September 20, 1928. It quickly became a very successful plane. The improved Boeing 80A joined the fleet in September 1929.
In May 1930, something very important happened. Boeing Air Transport hired eight female flight attendants. They were the first flight attendants in the United States! They started flying on May 15, making flights more comfortable for passengers. The Boeing 80 and 80A planes were used until 1934. They were then replaced by a newer plane called the Boeing 247.
Different Kinds of Boeing 80
- Model 80 - This was the first version of the plane. Only four of these were built.
- Model 80A - This was an improved version. It was more aerodynamic (meaning it moved through the air better) and had stronger engines. Ten of these planes were made.
Who Used the Boeing 80?
- Boeing Air Transport
- Monterey Peninsula Airways
- Morrison-Knudsen Company
- Robert Campbell Reeve
- Standard Oil, California
- United Airlines
Where to See a Boeing 80 Today
One Boeing 80A was found in a junkyard at Anchorage Airport in 1960. It was carefully repaired and restored. Today, you can see this amazing piece of history at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Images for kids
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A drawing of the Boeing Model 80.
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Boeing Model 80A-1 in the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
See also
In Spanish: Boeing 80 para niños
