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Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat

Pan Am airlines requested a very long range flying boat design from Boeing in the late 1930's, who used aspects of their canceled XB-15 bomber. The result was the 314 Clipper, a massive flying boat (larger than the B-29 Superfortress. p.W:MPxx). The first of the initial batch of six entered commercial service in June 1939, flying from San Francisco to Hong Kong (a flight which took ix days to complete, including stops). Another batch of six was built, the improved 314A model with slightly more powerful engines and increased fuel. Three planes were sold to BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) in 1941.

Two of the distinctive features of the 314 were the triple rudder and the unusual stabilizing floats. The floats were similar to those used on some Dornier designs, wing-like structures extending out of the lower hull. Apart from providing stability in the water, they also served as loading steps for passengers, storage or some fuel and a little extra lift to augment the wings Internally, the Clippers feature fold-down seats (which could be used to carry 36 overnight or 74 short-term passengers), and a lounge that doubled as a dining room (located roughly in the center of the passenger deck). Some of the seating was arranged into a suite at the rear of the compartment. The crew and cargo deck was above the passenger compartment, connected by a spiral staircase. The crew included two stewards. The wings were thick enough for a flight mechanic to use an internal walkway to access the engines in flight.

The 314's were used by the military during the war (designated C-98). Rather than training new crews, the highly experienced (and rather specialized) Pan Am crews simply went with the planes, which got little more than new paint jobs in military service. Although only one C-98 was lost during the war (to a landing accident near Portugal in early 1943), they quickly faded from the scene after the war and were scrapped in 1950-51. Roosevelt and Churchill were perhaps the most famous wartime passengers.

The Clippers were given individual names, like ships. Those operated by Pan Am were: Honolulu Clipper, California Clipper, Yankee Clipper, Atlantic Clipper. Dixie Clipper, American Clipper, Pacific Clipper, Anzac Clipper and Cape Town Clipper. The BOAC planes were named Bristol, Berwick and Bangor.

The Pacific Clipper was in New Zealand at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Rather than risk flying to Hawaii, it flew west to New York, a trip not ending until January 6 and including stops in twelve countries. Highlights included having to use automotive gasoline at one point and being fired o by a Japanese sub during a takeoff..

The 314A uses 216 gallons of aviation fuel per hour.

Subassemblies: Waterproofed Huge Transport chassis +6, Huge Transport Wings +5, four Medium AFV Engine Pods 1-2 +2, two waterproofed Medium AFV floats 1&2 +2
P&P: Four 1,193-kW aerial HP gasoline engine w/ four 1.193-kW props [Pods 1-4:F) with 4,200-gallon standard tanks [Floats and Wing]; 8000-kWs batteries
Occ: 11 CS, 74 PS    Cargo:  210 Body

Armor
All: 2/3

Equipment
Body: long range radio transmitter and receiver, autopilot, precision navigational instruments, two small toilets, small galley, 100 VSP hold.

Statistics

HT: 8
HP: 1,100 [body], 1,200 [each wing], 200 [each engine pod], 100 [each stabilizing float]
 

Design Notes
Design aSpeed was 204 mph. Historical wing surface area was 2,867 sf. The cost, weight and HPs of the stabilizing floats were divided by two. In the end, weight was reduced an additional 13%. 110 VSP of the empty space should be considered part of the crew and passenger space.

The Clippers could not carry a full load of fuel and passengers. At maximum fuel, it could carry 23 passengers. At maximum passengers, it could carry 2,600 gallons of fuel.

The 314A needs a 12 mph headwind for takeoff at maximum load (41.25 tons).

The 314 used 300 gallons of oil in the engines (included in the empty weight).

Historically, the C-98's were not armed; they were lumbering pigs no amount of defensive weaponry could adequately protect. However, in an alternate history campaign, they might be armed. One suggestion is a pair of dorsal turrets with .50-cal M-2 HMGs (Long Aircraft HMG) and two .50-cal M-2's on each side and two in the nose.

Variants
The six original 314's carried 1,200 gallons less of fuel and used 1,119-kW engines. They were upgraded to the -A standard.