Delivered to Boeing Air Transport 26 April 1933. To UAL 1 May 1934. Converted to 247D September 1935. Later to Western Air Express. Impressed by USAAF as 42-68366 on 17 July 1942. To Lineas Aereas Mexicanas as XA-DIY on 15 June 1944. To XB-JEB and XA-GUW. Crashed near Mexico City on 21 February 1952. Photo by Clifton Bray / Utah Department of Heritage and Arts

Famous racing pilot 'Colonel' Roscoe Turner borrowed the first Boeing 247D from United Airlines for his participation in the MacRobertson Air Race. It is seen here over the USA already wearing race number 5. The number 57, referring to Heinz's 57 ketchup varieties, and the name Warner Bros. Comet were added to please Turner's sponsors. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

The Boeing 247 started a revolution in air transport, but it was overtaken by the DC-2, in the background, and only 75 examples were built. Now the DC-2 is in Boeing's patrimony and NC13711 is surrounded by Boeings in the Museum of Flight - from left to right, VC-137, 727, 747, 787, B-47 and B-29. Sorry for the shadow selfie.

Wearing joint United Air Lines and Boeing Air Transport titles. Flown by the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation at the time, and was transferred to the Museum of Flight in 1981.

Made airworthy and flown to the Museum of Flight's facility at Boeing Field for display in April 2016.

Made airworthy and flown to the Museum of Flight's facility at Boeing Field for display in April 2016.

Made airworthy and flown to the Museum of Flight's facility at Boeing Field for display in April 2016.

Delivered to United Air Lines (via National Air Transport) in 1933 as NC13340, first as a Boeing 247, converted to 247D in July 1935. To the CAA (predecessor of the FAA) in 1942 as NC18. Sold in 1947, to N18 in 1949, and served with various companies. Reregistered as N18E in 1953. Acquired by the Wings and Wheels Museum at Orlando, FL in 1977. The museum closed in Dec 1981, and acquired by the Science Museum in a Christie's auction. An epic delivery flight then took this rare Boeing 247 through Reykjavik, Dublin and Cardiff on 29/30 Jul 1982. The final leg to Wroughton was flown on 3 Aug 1982.

A real bonus for me to see this beautiful, old plane parked outside the Restoration Center.

The Model 247 first flew on 8 February 1933 and by the end of June UAL had 30 in service. Until the advent of the Douglas DC-2, the 247's ruled US skies. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Acquired by the Museum of Flight from the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation the year before, and seen here tucked at the back of the hangar, quietly undergoing a 13 year restoration.

United Airlines were the launch customer for the Boeing 247. Within a few months of the type's first flight in early 1933, over 30 were in service with UAL, replacing the previous assortment of single-engined and biplane airliners. Photo obtained from Boeing.