United Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Hawaii Travelogue - 1950
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Video tape from the archives of Mr. Gene Gatti. Neat mini-travelogue featuring a UAL Strat enroute from San Francisco to Hawaii! A wonderful period piece to be sure, with some nice scenes of the aircraft & locales. Be sure to check my channel for the best in VINTAGE & RARE airliner videos! / classicairlinerfilms
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I just watched this video while sitting in the airport waiting to board a 737 that will have the leg room appropriate for 3 year old.
GawdOfThunder
- Wow....that much???
A bag of pretzels, 8 oz of water and a crowded middle seat is what the airlines are so proud of selling today.
My father was stationed in Germany during the mid fifties and my mother ,sisters and I flew across the Atlantic to be with him . We flew put of NYC on a DC4 and returned a couple of years later on a Lockheed Constellation. As I recall we were dressed in our Sunday best for the flights. What wonderful childhood memories.
I was a FE on this airplane, 4000 hrs . Love it
I couldn't stop smiling while watching this film. Those were the days, my friends.
I thought they'd never end. Know the rest of the song?
They sure were.
I’m glad I grew up in the fifties I had a glimpse of a life never to be seen again
Today as you relax in your seat a stinky bare foot from some goof behind you is thrust between the seats and rests gently on your arm.
The Navigator using 'celestial navigation'!!!! Classic!!!
. All Stratocruisers were equipped with a plexiglass sextant dome. Nice that you noticed. :)
According to the Wikipedia page, this flight was totally first class. Until the jet age, the most economical transport to Hawaii was the cruise ship.
I just flew back fron Honolulu. It's just a Greyhound with wings now.
I know that your right. I work there. It's a disgrace. I'm ashamed of the whole operation.
My dad started his career with United as a co-pilot on DC-3s and ended it as a captain on DC-10s. When I asked him what it was like flying the modern jets, he equated it to flying an office building.
By the time he retired he was more than ready.
and Honolulu is just a giant bus station
Calling it a greyhound is too nice. Art least greyhound has legroom.
empacae greyhound has bigger seats and more legroom
Back when people dressed up for plane or train travel. What a nice historical gem. Why anyone would 'dislike' something like this is beyond me.
I remember flying in the 60's & 70's. You dressed for the occassion. You were polite, people were actually smiling and engaged. Now it's get on board, strap in, ignore the flight crew announcements, don't bother them and get the hell off when we land because once that door is open, you're on their dime.
On one hand, the sardine cans we're flying on these days are an outrageous thing we shouldn't accept.
On the other hand, I have a feeling that back in 1950 you'd have had to be quite rich to get yourself an airplane ticket.
This remarcable VIDEO brings me back to the beginning of my First Job at Canadian Pacific Airlines from 1959 to 1969 ... BEAUTIFULL ...
Right on Gilles.. bet you could tell some interesting stories... CP used to be so classy... some if it still is, especially the trains.
I was a flight attendant for CPAir back in the 70's and 80's and remember my wonderful layovers in HNL!
CPAir wasa jewel of an airline
Look how smart and elegant they look today's it's track suit bottoms and hoodies!! What a wonderful era xx
People had a certain kind of class back then. Dressing well meant something. It spoke something about who you were. You projected an image of yourself. Life was harder for most folks and you didn’t want to look like you were on the losing end of it. It’s the the same thing today but the image people want to project is a lot more frightful.
Good times
@@bobbypaluga4346 Used to be they wouldnt let you board with flip flops because if there's an emergency you will almost certainly lose your shoes and block the aisles and kill people trapped behind you. Like that guy on the Russian airliner that crashed last week and he had to get his suitcase down out of the rack while the plane was on fire.
@@natehill8069 they need to ban glip glops on aircraft in general. Font get me started on people nagging about no IFE for short haul flights.
It's been so long since gracious classy service has been standard in air travel that I nearly completely forgot it ever existed until last year. I was in Rome returning to the US (non-stop Rome to Chicago) after a spectacular cruise. My wife and I had business class accomodations aboard a United 777 Dreamliner. Before takeoff I ordered a soft drink and received a Coke in a leaded crystal glass brimmed with ice. Memories flooded back. I hadn't drunk from a glass glass in over 30 years on an airliner. The stewardesses were gorgeous, immaculately groomed, consumed with our comfort. Two wonderful meals were served with real silverware, cloth napkins, more crystal glasses, fine wine. I had forgotten that all of this used to be standard stuff even on flights only 90 minutes long if they occurred during dinnertime. Our seats converted in seconds into full size beds. Flying was a real pleasure once again.
This video transports you to a time when flying was exclusive and glamorous.
But you had those runaway props and the fire-prone stretched-to-the-limit radials to worry about (today it's oversized turnofans, rogue-software "quick fixes" and cattle-class seat-spacing).
I opened this link expecting to see details about a surviving Stratocruiser. Instead I found an actual promo film from back in the day. This was a great surprise! Thanks Classic Airliners!
Thanks!
Brings back a lot of memories although I never did fly on a Stratocruiser. I was a Boeing flight line mechanic and worked on all of Northwest Airlines's Stratocruisers preparing them for first flights and delivery to the airlines. Much has changed in commercial airplanes.
It's kind of sad thinking about aircraft deliveries. They leave the factory, never to return... (Except perhaps for a freighter conversion or something.)
That was before Airlines started considering us self-loading cargo.
waeliano Yes and it was a time people had self respect and image was important then the slobs got on board .
waeliano - I had not heard that statement before. Very accurate. Thanks.
To be fair, their treatment of us is a reflection of how we carry ourselves. We are a classless era, where most will accept anything short of selling off their wife, if it’ll save them a buck. Hell, I’m sure many today would do that too.
Try not to fly with Wamos Air if you can. Reviews mention stained seats, unfriendly cabin crew and a lack of inflight entertainment.
It was before Boeing became big.
What delightful footage of an era long gone
Like something from a alternate universe!
HOW IS THIS SO LUXURIOUS! Man, if only we had this today, even if it is slower and has fewer seats, it would make flying much more enjoyable
Wow, the Hawaiian welcome. I never got that. I sure wish travel were that nice today. Also, I noticed passengers weren't always buckled in during the flight. Amazing.
I like the clothes and the Hawaian Lounge down below. And the sweets. The early days of commercial flight were really cool!
NeonMusic from what I gather, they were! Going to the airport was a really big deal and the friends and family would all get dressed up with suits and hats to see the traveler off on their trip. Today its all sanitized and “secure” that we have lost that human element. Now you’re practically strip searched and very restricted- like cattle. Sad.
The livery on that Stratocruiser is striking. I'd like to see United bring that back!
I would fly to Hawaii like that in half a heartbeat.
I was born in '53, the ol' man flew for UAL and as such, I spend a lot of time in DC-6, 7, 8's, Viscounts, an occasional Caravelle, 727's and lastly DC-10's. We almost always flew in 1st class (if room was available), which was perfect for a kid to walk up and spend a bit of time in the cockpit. Naturally everyone wore their Sunday best back then - a great backdrop for the awesome metal wings (with a 2 inch pin) that kids got from the pretty, shapely Stew's. If you stabbed yourself, one's parents called you a stupid kid vs today - where they call their lawyer and sue the airline. Sure miss those days, it was a wonderful time. A Golden Age. I can't stand flying anywhere now...
Oh yes The Stretch '8s I traveled on the DC-10 NON STOP first time on a wide body. I dressed like Chicago, cold......
Me too!
My experience parallels all of yours. Born in 1950. My dad flew for United from 1952-1988. I rode on a Stratocruiser once, but I was too young to remember it. I only have a picture of my mom standing in front of the plane holding me. Yeah, the cockpit trips, the wings. "Sunday best" - I remember in the '70s my dad lamenting that no one dressed up to travel anymore. It was quite a time to fly.
Actually, at least some airlines still have dress codes for family of employees getting a special deal or free flight. There was a very noisy affair a year or two ago when a family member mildly flouted the dress code (I don't recall the details, perhaps she wore leggings instead of a skirt, that sort of thing).
@@sebradfield I was born in '61, and my dad also flew for United...from 1952 to 1988!
Flying then was special, and continued to be that way until the early eighties. Couch class was roomy. Children were allowed in the cockpit while the plane was in flight and got their wings pinned right after. Bathrooms were immaculate and flight attendants were friendly.
I love this music from 40s and 50s. So easy and gentle.
I loved this and the time in our history where one could travel in such great splendor!
I enjoy these classic films. They're asmr.
I miss those times when to fly it was a pleasure, and there were not exhaustive controls at airports like today. Thanks for these great videos.
What a great flight down memory lane. I really enjoyed seeing how great air transport must have been before it got common.
Willoughby... next flight departing to Willoughby!
It's push, push, push Williams, push, push, push...push & drive!
Would love to see the reactions of 1950-era passengers and crew if a modern-day passenger with muffin top in yoga pants were to be teleported into these scenes.
I worked for United for 17 years. I was a flight line mechanic. I remember having to wear suits to fly standby. I also remember that the passengers were a different breed of humans. Wealth had nothing to do with it. Politeness and education was what I experienced. Flight attendants which were originally nurses when they first started flying, were extremely friendly and well mannered. Today it’s a different world. Airlines try to squeeze everything they can out of a passenger. Then we have the passengers. A special breed themselves.
Air travel today is sad. It might be a fuselage with wings but it feels like a pick up truck taking you to fields. I fly because I have no choice and yes I fly in coach. Where even a size zero female has trouble getting in and out of her seat.
D R you got that right about the seats. And forget it being a 6’2” guy weighing 250 (not overweight)! Seriously though, you’re also right about the professionalism and the class of people. Not the same today. However, as a millennial, I urge you not to throw the baby out with the bath water on this issue. There are a lot of good airlines and crew out there still. I think like anything else, if the crew keep getting crapped on by crazy passengers, they lose their morale and it shows. But I’ve been on terrific flights where everybody is polite and joking with each other and the crew had a grand time. I also see the pendulum swinging back very soon- let’s see!
"wealth had nothing to do with it" except plane tickets were many times more expensive then they are today so that's exactly what had to do with it. Families used to drive cross country because flights were far more expensive
Green hills white sand and blue waters... these words made me cry
Man.. Back then flying sure seemed like an unforgettable experience that you do only on special occasions. If only it was that way today. Kinda bummed I was born after the fun of flying died off.
Beautiful days and moments of the great Americana!
Life was once glamerous in the USA flowing with friendly hospitality.
It was a grin watching this, as I rode on a Stratocruiser from Travis AFB to Tokyo many years ago, except it wasn't called a Stratocruiser but a C-97 and there was nothing luxurious about it. Must have been a good airplane because we made it over half of the Pacific on three engines.
Gone are the days! Great film.
I love how nice everyone is dressed. Now everyone looks like cattle being herded on to a plane.
A elegant aircraft from a more civilized age.
Very good...
@@magicmaker15 Or a Boeing for that matter.
Elegant but unsafe. 56 built, 13 lost in accidents, many in-flight emergencies from engine and prop failures.
no wonder its called the "golden age"
Damn, now I want one! The B-29 platform evolved into many amazing variants, but if I were a rich man, and/or James Bond villian it would be hard to imagine a better flying live-aboard luxury yacht.
Glory days...long gone!!😥
Hawaii used to be an exotic remote and mysterious destination. I remember my parents going there in the early 70s and them telling us about it. I went in 2003 and what did I see when driving to my hotel, Home Depot, Office Max, and Burger King. Very anti climactic.
They flew in style back in the day. Cool video. 👍👍👍
amazing how the mile high club started sooooo long ago :)
I am lucky to have flown in the late 60's when this type of service was still normal. Today , well it just sucks
Wow, what a gem! I'm so glad he saved this footage. I had a huge poster of this plane.
1:46 Look at the little kids running along behind the fence, following the plane, jumping around, all excited. Wish I could have seen an airplane up close. I was thrilled enough to watch them flying over as a kid. I remember our daycare was by the creamery in Cabot, and whenever one of the (now) old Cabot semi-trucks would head up the hill to the plant, we'd flock the the bottom of the hill, shouting "Cabot Creamery Truck! Cabot Creamery Truck!" One of our biggest thrills was to do the "air brake" gesture to trucks passing on the road, and they'd usually reward us with a toot, which overjoyed us. I bet trucks don't honk for kids anymore. Probably potential legal repercussions, or some stupid bullshit. Any I remember watching the excavator digging around when they expanded the Lower Plant building. I stood on the lower rail of the fence, and watched it digging away for what seems like hours. Fascinated by the arm and the hydraulic pistons (I finally bought myself a toy excavator a few years ago; wish I'd done that years ago. Can slide the pistons in and out all I like now!) But if I could have seen a plane like that in real live motion...man. I could have died a happy kid.
Incredible, the Boeing 377 was the jumbo airliner of the time. From what I see in the video, these days you can't get that kind of service on any flights, even in first class.
My first commercial flight was on an Eastern airline Constellation in 1955 from Chicago to Florida and yes people did dress like that for a flight.
TZAZ Arizona
Was 1968 for me on 727 WhisperJet from Richmond Va. to Punta Gorda Florida.
Sunday dress.
People dressed up for flight...the flight attendent were dressed up and immaculate....flight travel was just wonderful experience when I was a kid..
TZAZ Arizona i still dress respectfully when i board a plane...im a nerd....
1950 Tru 1970 was the Pinnacle of the American best time ,in the mid 1970s stared going down down down down ,
My wife was stationed at Ft Shafter Hawaii (73) but they flew her over on a transport plane, think jumpseats 😙 decades later she still heard the engine drone in her head.
Things have changed a bit. I remember back in 1974 when
my parents moved us from Miami
to Low Angeles we got dressed in our Sunday best. Today...nevermind.
This is a real gem. So nice it has been preserved on digital format. Thanks for sharing.
Oh! just like flying Spirit...
Been an aviation buff since a child. First I've heard of a private stateroom on the Stratocruiser. I've even built a model of Stratocruiser (no interior detail). Learn something every day.
Let's go back to these days and build the Stratocruiser again. Welcome back, comfortable air travel:)
People wouldn't want to pay the price of the ticket otherwise they'd be flying first class already
@ ronald rime
hmm ... 1/4 of all 56 produced airliners were destroyed in accidents, with whole engines or prop blades lost or by sudden stall, ... and it was incredibly loud
Wow. When normal flying was super comfy.
Beautiful aircraft.
I’ve only visited older prop airliners in static displays, but I certainly felt as if the experience in taking a cross-Pacific, transcontinental, or transatlantic flight would have been pretty comfortable, so much so you wouldn’t want to leave. The Connie’s, DC-6, DC 7, and other long distance airliners had thick, full sized seats that covered your head, shoulders, and arms unlike the chiseled down skinny seats on Boeing and Airbus models. I doubt the pitch was any less than 34” in coach, 36” in first class. Rows had 4 seats not the 6 in 320, or 737’s or 10 in jumbos. It was darn expensive to fly as it was, despite the children you see playing on their flights, it was pretty much adults only and 80% men at that. And baby did they keep feeding you, on my first business flight in the late 1970’s we had pretzels with two packs of peanuts and a drink before we began our taxi. Before landing in Houston (leaving Phoenix) we had breakfast the airline called it a “Hunt Club Breakfast” and it included a very thick piece of Virginia ham, scrambled eggs, toast and jelly, orange slices, and cookies. My connection was on United to Philadelphia and they were famous from their coconut cake. OverArkansas lunch was served, chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese or a small sirloin steak with sliced potatoes in cheese sauce, carrots, roll, and coconut cake. You got a few foil wrapped chocolate mints that used to be popular. About an hour out from Philly we got a little lunch ale kind of plastic tray with apple slices breadsticks and cheese dip. You had a movie on each segment, both flights were DC-10’s and very comfortable.
My last flight to Honolulu United must have forgotten to book the Hula dancer.
I vaguely remember my 1st trip to Hawaii in 1958 . The airline was Pan Am and on arrival we received a flowered lei and many young pretty ladies in grass skirts were dancing.
That was then.......this is now and very different.
As a kid, my Father piloted the Pan Am Clippers on the same route, I went on many a trip, wow, was that fun ! So many memories of those days. Everytime I think about my childhood, even all the way through college in the wild late 60's early 70's. all I can think about, is, WHAT HAPPENED to our Country ?
1950's America was paradise. 2019 America is like hell.
So very true!
I remember when flying was a civilized thing. People dressed nice, you got a meal, and not just a snack. And if the flight was long enough, even a movie. That Stratocruiser looks like a lovely way to travel in. Those where the Days!
I LOVED this video! Thank you for sharing!
I remember when you could relax with a nice drink and a smoke on a flight.
I'm old enough to remember when flying on an airliner was a whole lot more fun than what we got today. If I NEVER have too go through the airport and airline ordeal EVER again it will be greatly appreciated. I'd rather have a root canal.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I live in Hawaii and to see how things operate and back in the day makes me appreciate my home even more. I also choose united as my frequent flyer.
First time I flew in US ( I am brazilian), I got surprised about the short leg space because north americans are usually tall. The industry punished all types of passengers regardless of byotype.
Good video! It took me back to when I was a child and my dad ,military, took us there to live three years while he was stationed there! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this. It's wonderful!
Oh, the nostalgia!
1950: United airlines actually cares for its passengers
2019: drags passenger off plane
When I was 10 years old I flew on a plane like this, and I remember there was much more space than in the current planes. It's just a matter of money, if you can afford a business class seat, the problems disappear.
B-29 Superfortress civilianized.
Outstanding appearance. Looks great.
Airplanes look so much alike, now.
Howland Owlle you mean C97Stratofreighter
@@TheR4360, that's good, too. They both evolved from the B-29 after WWII and are related.
. This from www.b29-superfortress.com/c97-stratofreighter.htm
. "After the war Boeing developed the Model 367, a military transport airplane based on the B-29 Superfortress bomber. Its civilian counterpart was the Model 377 Stratocruiser.
. "The C-97 Stratofreighter had a double-lobe fuselage consisting of two intersecting circular sections, so that the 74-foot-long upper deck had a larger diameter. Cargo was loaded through large clamshell-type doors in the belly of the aircraft using a built-in ramp and a hoist. Its wings, engine gear and other parts were similar to the B-29."
. Further on it says, "The Boeing 377, also called the Stratocruiser, was a large long-range airliner built after World War II. It was developed from the C-97 Stratofreighter. The Stratocruiser's first flight was on July 8, 1947"
. I like the legacy back to the old veteran bomber. It's like a grandfather.
Amazing what Boeing could do, with the bottom half of a B-29 Bomber.
You mean C97
C-97, KC-97, B-50...the 377 and all the rest started out as the B-29 Superfortress. Boeing had this great aircraft design and all that production capacity left over from WWII, so they had to do something to stay in business.
Great video of a memorable aircraft. I was around 6 and would fly by my self on this and others. NORTH WEST was willing to take care of a child and my parent took advantage of that. At that age i still notice the lounge stewardess was a little upbeat from the upstairs ones.
Interesting travelogue. This was less than 10 years before statehood and is obviously a tourism-promoted movie. But it does give us a glimpse of luxury air travel some 70 years ago!
Wow the golden age of air travel I would love to fly in that today and wouldn’t care if its slower.And with the people from then as another commenter so nicely put it socially educated unlike the experiences of todays flights.
Double decker airliner, amazing. The Stratocruiser was built on the frame of the WW2 B29 Bomber, they just added the top deck. At 5.30 the girl is picking up the food from the tray without tongs and these were the high society! Airline fares especially for long flights like this were exorbant. And at 5.45 the angular windows can be seen which were later changed to circular because of structural integrity issues in the British built Comet.
We don't have planes and service like this today.
I'd guess that flight took around 9-10 hours from the West Coast. The 377 was developed from the B-29 bomber, and morphed into the larger B-50, whose shape made it adaptable for passenger and cargo use. The USAF designated it as the C-97, which carried cargo and troops. They were also used as aerial refuelers.
I’d love a trip back in time on that plane.
I just took a southwest flight from SLC to LAS sat in middle seat . Gal to the window side overweight ate skittles all the way guy on the other side hadn't took a bath lately. 45 min. was about all I could take..I hate flying but it's what it is.... I love watching these old videos wished I could of experienced it.
The real ' asmr'. That man voice is amaizing!
Oh those days are long gone.
So amazing! Looks like Waikiki beach hasn't changed in all of those years.
Wow, the 747/A380 of its day.
What's a 747 / A380?
TheUtuber999 A Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380
Two gorgeous aircraft. The 747, also known as the Queen of the Skies, is a large aircraft with two levels to it. It holds over 300 seats and normally flies oversea routes. The a380 is a super jumbo and is just a bit larger than the 747, it also has two levels to it. The a380 is much younger than the 747 but took the 747s former title of being the largest passenger jet. Both are engineering wonders. The 747 is easily recognized because of its large 'hump' and a larger looking nose, the a380 has a larger 'forehead'. It was unfortunately announced a few months back that airbus will be ending production of the a380, it just isnt working in todays economy and many airlines are switching over to wide body twin eingine jets instead of the once beloved jumbos. Yet, the 747 still finds good use on high demand routes and as cargo planes.
Miss the old days of flying, where you were not packed in like sardines and everyone was served a meal.
Wonderful video!
Man...how traveling has changed. It was more enjoyable back then. If you don't ride in 1st class today, it can be an endurance contest.
*I remember back in the 1970's they gave full dinners, deck of playing cards, pretzles, peanuts, and more. Today you get harassment even before you board the airplane* 🤔🤔🤔
Exactly. So sad how it changed
They didn't deal with terrorism and maybe no unruly passengers
Because back in the day people actually like one another, but due to social media and other devices people have become isolated. People are at the point now where they can't stand the sight of each other. It's gone from hello how are you?? To what you looking at?? you want to throw hands??
And beautiful young air Steward with smiles, now a gender confuse and ready to bark on the earliest notice
Deregulation brought cheaper flights and the race to the bottom.
Flying as a human, not as a cattle.
Wow 😮 now you see these airlines like Spirit and Frontier... flying must have been so much better back then.
Flown Spirit twice and never again, They nickle and dime you to death, so really you are not saving money. Packed into seats like sardines. The only good thing, about flying Spirit Airlines, is landing and getting off those Concentration Camp Box Cars.