View source for Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

{{Short description|Long-range heavy military cargo aircraft built 1944-1952}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More footnotes needed|date = April 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date = April 2013}}
}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = C-97 Stratofreighter
| image = File:C-97 stratofreighter 041116-F-9999R-002.jpg
| caption = 
| type = [[Military transport aircraft]]
| national_origin = 
| manufacturer = [[Boeing]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = 9 November 1944
| introduction = 1947
| retired = 1978
| status = 
| primary_user = [[United States Air Force]]
| more_users = [[Israeli Air Force]]
| produced = 1944–1952
| number_built = 77 (total of 888 in all variants)
| program cost = 
| unit cost = [[United States dollar|US$]]1,205,000
| developed_from = [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]]<br/>[[Boeing B-50 Superfortress]]
| variants = [[Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter]]
| developed_into = [[Boeing 377 Stratocruiser]] <br/> [[Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy]] <br/> [[Aero Spacelines Super Guppy]] <br/> [[Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy]]}}

The '''Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter''' is a long-range heavy military cargo aircraft developed from the [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29]] and [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress|B-50]] bombers. Design work began in 1942, the first of three prototype XC-97s flew on 9 November 1944 and the first of six service-test YC-97s flew on 11 March 1947. All nine were based on the 24ST alloy structure and [[Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone|Wright R-3350]] engines of the B-29, but with a larger-diameter fuselage upper lobe (making a figure of eight or "double-bubble" section) and they had the B-29 vertical tail with the gunner's position blanked off. The first of three heavily revised YC-97A incorporating the re-engineered wing (higher-strength 75ST alloy), taller vertical tail and larger [[Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major|Pratt & Whitney R-4360]] engines of the B-50 bomber, flew on 28 January 1948 and was the basis of the subsequent sole YC-97B, all production C-97s, KC-97s and civilian Stratocruiser aircraft. Between 1944 and 1958, 888 C-97s in several versions were built, 811 being KC-97 tankers.<ref name= "Bach p. 7">Bach 1996, p. 7</ref><ref>Bowers 1989, pp. 353–359.</ref> C-97s served in the [[Berlin Blockade#Start of the Berlin Airlift|Berlin Airlift]], the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]]. Some aircraft served as flying command posts for the [[Strategic Air Command]], while others were modified for use in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadrons (ARRS).

==Design and development==
The C-97 Stratofreighter was developed towards the end of [[World War II]] by fitting a second lobe on top of the fuselage and wings of the [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29 Superfortress]] with the tail, wing, and engine layout being nearly identical.<ref name="Swanborough / Bowers 1989, p. 125">Swanborough and Bowers 1989, p. 125.</ref> The XC-97 and YC-97 can be distinguished from the [[Boeing 377 Stratocruiser]] and later C-97s by the shorter fin, and later ones by the flying boom and jet engines on the tanker models.

The prototype XC-97 was powered by the same {{cvt|2200|hp|lk=on}} [[Wright R-3350]] engines as used in the B-29. The XC-97 took off for its first flight on November 9, 1944,<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 353.</ref> just after the death of Boeing president [[Philip G. Johnson]].

[[File:Boeing YC-97 (45-59590) (4641652679).jpg|thumb|YC-97 Stratofreighter with the shorter fin and smaller engines of the B-29 in 1947]]
On 9 January 1945, the first prototype, piloted by Major Curtin L. Reinhardt, flew from [[Seattle]] to [[Washington, D.C.]] in 6 hours 4 minutes, an average speed of {{cvt|383|mph}} with {{cvt|20000|lb}} of cargo. The tenth and all subsequent aircraft were fitted with the {{cvt|3500|hp}} [[Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major]] engines and taller fin and rudder of the [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress|B-50 Superfortress]].<ref name="Swanborough / Bowers 1989, p. 125"/>

The C-97 had clamshell doors under its tail so that two retractable ramps could be used to drive in cargo, but it was not a [[tactical airlifter]] able to deliver to primitive forward bases. The doors could not be opened in flight, but could be removed to carry out air drops. The C-97 had a useful payload of {{cvt|35000|lb}}, which could include two [[M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck|2½-ton trucks]], towed artillery, or light tracked vehicles such as the [[M56 Scorpion]]. The C-97 featured cabin pressurization, which made long flights more comfortable.

The C-97 was developed into the civilian Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, a transoceanic airliner that could be fitted with sleeper cabins and featured a lower deck lounge. The first Stratocruiser flew on July 8, 1947. Only 56 were built.<ref name= "Bach p. 40">Bach 1996, p. 40</ref>

== Operational history ==
The C-97 entered service in 1947, during a period of rapid development of heavy transport aircraft. Only 77 were built before the [[Douglas C-124 Globemaster II]] was delivered in 1950, with nearly twice the payload capacity of the C-97. The [[United States Air Force|USAF]] [[Strategic Air Command]] operated C-97 Stratofreighters from 1949 to 1978. Early in its service life, it served as an airborne alternative SAC command post. While only 77 C-97 transports were built, 811 were built as KC-97 Stratofreighters for inflight refueling. The [[KC-97]] began to be phased out with the introduction of the [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]] in 1957.  Many KC-97s were later refitted as C-97G transports and equipped several squadrons of the U.S. Air National Guard.

One YC-97A (45–59595) was used in the [[Berlin Airlift]] during April 1949, operating for the 1st Strategic Support Squadron. It suffered a landing gear accident at [[RAF Gatow|Gatow]] and by the time it was repaired, the Soviet Blockade was lifted.

C-97s evacuated casualties during the [[Korean War]]. C-97s also participated in the [[Biafran airlift]], delivering relief materials to [[Uli, Anambra|Uli airstrip]] in [[Biafra]] during the [[Nigerian Civil War]]. Flying under the cover of darkness and at treetop level to evade radar, at least two C-97s were lost.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?field=typecode&var=108%&cat=%1&sorteer=datekey&page=1 "ASN Aviation Safety Database."] ''[[Aviation Safety Network]], [[Flight Safety Foundation]].'' Retrieved: 27 April 2009.</ref>

[[File:Boeing C-97G 0-30349 Minn ANG DM 22.04.71.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing KC-97G Stratofreighter of the [[Minnesota]] Air National Guard in 1971 after service as part of [[Military Airlift Command]]]] 
Only one C-97 is still airworthy at the present day,{{when|date=January 2021}} (S/N 52-2718, named "Angel of Deliverance") operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation. It is painted as YC-97A 45–59595, the only C-97 to participate in the Berlin Airlift.

The Israelis turned to Stratocruisers and KC-97s when they could not buy the preferred C-130.<ref name="AM517 p94">Archer ''Aeroplane'' May 2017, p. 94.</ref> They adapted Boeing 377 Stratocruiser airliners into transports, including many using C-97 tail sections including the loading ramps.{{citation needed|date=April 2011}} Others were adapted with swiveling tails and refueling pods.<ref name="AM517 p94"/> One Israeli C-97 was downed by an Egyptian [[SA-2|SA-2 Guideline]] missile on 17 September 1971, while flying as an electronic counter-measures platform some 12 miles from the [[Suez Canal]].<ref>Rubinstein and Goldman 1979, p. 89.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/3623-5081-en/IAF.aspx|title=East of the Suez|access-date=19 February 2013|publisher=Israeli Air Force official website}}</ref>

==Variants==
;XC-97: Military designation of the prototype Boeing 367, three built.  First prototype was designated '''Model 367-1-1''' by Boeing, while the second and third were designated '''Model 367-1-2'''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=Roderick W. |title=Airlife's commercial aircraft and airliners |date=1999 |publisher=Airlife |isbn=978-1-84037-073-7 |edition=1. publ |location=Shrewsbury |pages=63–64}}</ref>
;YC-97: Company designation '''Model 367-5-5'''.<ref name=":1" />  Cargo transport, six built.
[[File:109th Air Transport Squadron Boeing C-97A Stratofreighter 49-2607.jpg|thumb|C-97A Stratofreighter 49-2607 of Minnesota Air National Guard (1960)]]
;YC-97A: Company designation '''Model 367-4-6'''.<ref name=":1" />  Troop carrier, three built.
;C-97A: Company designation '''Model 367-4-19'''.<ref name=":1" />  Transport, 50 built.
;KC-97A: Three C-97As were converted into aerial refueling tankers with rear loading door removed and a flight refueling boom added. After the design was proven, they were converted back into the standard C-97A.
;YC-97B: Company designation '''Model 367-4-7'''.<ref name=":1" />  Fitted with 80 airliner-style seats, later redesignated '''C-97B''', in 1954 became '''C-97D''', retired to MASDC 15 December 1969.<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 357.</ref>
;C-97C: Company designation '''Model 367-4-29'''.<ref name=":1" />  Second production version, 14 built; those used as medical evacuation transports during the Korean War were designated MC-97C.<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 358.</ref>
;VC-97D: Staff transport and flying command post conversions, three C-97As converted.<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 362.</ref>
;KC-97E: Company designation '''Model 367-4-29'''.<ref name=":1" />  [[Aerial refueling]] tankers with rear loading doors permanently closed; 60 built.
;C-97E: KC-97Es converted to transports.
;KC-97F: Company designation '''Model 367-76-29'''.<ref name=":1" />  3800hp R-4360-59B engines and minor changes; 159 built.
;C-97F: KC-97Fs converted to transports.
;KC-97G: Company designation '''Model 367-76-66'''.<ref name=":1" />  Dual-role [[aerial refueling]] tankers/cargo transportation aircraft. KC-97G models carried underwing fuel tanks; 592 built.
;GKC-97G: Five KC-97Gs were used as ground instruction airframes.
;JKC-97G: One aircraft was modified to test the underwing [[General Electric J47|General Electric J47-GE-23]] jet engines, and was later designated KC-97L.
;C-97G: 135 KC-97Gs converted to transports.
;EC-97G: [[Signals intelligence|ELINT]] conversion of three KC-97Gs. 53–106 was operated by the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] for covert ELINT operations in the [[West Berlin Air Corridor]].
;HC-97G: KC-97Gs converted for search and rescue operations; 22 converted.
;KC-97H: One KC-97F was experimentally converted into a probe-and-drogue refueling aircraft.
[[File:YC-97J USAF.jpg|thumb|A YC-97J, an experimental turboprop-powered variant, in flight]]
;YC-97J: Company designation '''Model 367-86-542'''.<ref name=":1" />  KC-97G conversion with four 5,700&nbsp;hp (4,250&nbsp;kW) [[Pratt & Whitney T34|Pratt & Whitney YT34-P-5]] [[turboprop]]s, two converted. Originally designated '''YC-137'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/duplications.html|title=Duplications in U.S. Military Aircraft Designation Series}}</ref> 
;C-97K: 27 KC-97Gs converted to troop transports.<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 364.</ref> 
;KC-97L: 81 KC-97Gs modified with two J47 turbojet engines on underwing pylons.

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{ISR}} 
*[[Israeli Air Force]]
;{{ESP}} 
*[[Spanish Air Force]]
;{{USA}} 
*[[United States Air Force]]

===U.S. Air Force units===
The following Air Force wing organizations flew the various C-97 models at some time during their existence:<ref>Ravenstein, Charles A., ed. [https://books.google.com/books?id=v-T1QQNhNlMC ''Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947–1977.''] [[Washington, D.C.]]: United States Air Force Historical Research Center, Office of Air Force History, 1984. {{ISBN|0-912799-12-9}}.</ref>

====Air National Guard====
*[[105th Airlift Wing|105th Aeromedical Transport Group
]] – [[Westchester County Airport]], [[New York (state)|New York]] (1962–1969)
**137th Air Transport Squadron
*[[106th Rescue Wing|106th Air Transport Group]] – [[Suffolk County Airport]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
**102d Air Transport Squadron
*[[109th Airlift Wing|109th Air Transport Group]] – [[Schenectady County Airport|Schenectady Airport]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
**139th Air Transport Squadron
*[[111th Fighter Wing|111th Air Transport Group]] – [[NAS Willow Grove]], [[Pennsylvania]]
**103d Air Transport Squadron
*[[116th Air Control Wing|116th Air Transport Group]] – [[Dobbins ARB]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
**128th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[118th Airlift Wing|118th Air Transport Group]] – [[Berry Field Air National Guard Base]] / [[Nashville International Airport]], [[Tennessee]]
**105th Air Transport Squadron
*[[126th Air Refueling Wing]] – [[O'Hare Airport]], [[Illinois]]
** 108th Air Refueling Squadron
*[[128th Air Refueling Wing]] – [[Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport|Gen. Mitchell Airport]], [[Wisconsin]]
** 126th Air Refueling Squadron
*[[133d Airlift Wing|133d Air Transport Wing]] – [[Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport]], [[Minnesota]]
**109th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[137th Air Refueling Wing|137th Air Transport Group]] – [[Will Rogers World Airport]], [[Oklahoma]]
**185th Air Transport Squadron
*[[138th Fighter Wing|138th Air Transport Group]] – [[Tulsa Air National Guard Base]] / [[Tulsa International Airport]], [[Oklahoma]]
**125th Air Transport Squadron
*[[139th Airlift Wing|139th Air Transport Group]] – [[Rosecrans Air National Guard Base]], [[Missouri]]
**[[180th Airlift Squadron|180th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)]]
*[[146th Airlift Wing|146th Air Transport Wing]] – [[Van Nuys Air National Guard Base]] / [[Van Nuys Airport]], [[California]]
**115th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
**195th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[151st Air Refueling Wing|151st Air Transport Wing]] – [[Salt Lake City Air National Guard Base]] / [[Salt Lake City International Airport]], [[Utah]]
**191st Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[157th Air Refueling Wing|157th Air Transport Group]] – [[Grenier AFB]], [[New Hampshire]](1960–1964)/ [[Pease AFB]], [[New Hampshire]] (1964–1968)
**133d Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[161st Air Refueling Wing|161st Air Transport Group]] – [[Sky Harbor International Airport]], [[Arizona]] (1966–1972)
**197th Air Transport Squadron
*[[162d Fighter Wing|162d Air Transport Wing]] -, [[Arizona]]
*[[164th Airlift Wing|164th Air Transport Group]] – [[Memphis Air National Guard Base]] / [[Memphis International Airport]], [[Tennessee]]
**155th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[165th Airlift Wing|165th Air Transport Group]] – [[Savannah Air National Guard Base]] / [[Savannah International Airport]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
**158th Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
*[[166th Airlift Wing|166th Air Transport Group]] – [[New Castle Air National Guard Base]] / [[New Castle Airport|Greater Wilmington Airport]], [[Delaware]]
**142d Air Transport Squadron
[[File:Boeing C-97G N227AR FAR LGB 13.10.73 edited-3.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing C-97G of the Foundation for Airborne Relief at [[Long Beach Airport]], California, in 1973]]

===Civil operators===
*[[Swissair|Balair]]
*[[Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation]]<ref>[http://www.spiritoffreedom.org "A Mission of History, Education and Remembrance."] ''Spirit of Freedom,'' 2011. Retrieved: 21 October 2011.</ref>
*Foundation for Airborne Relief (USA)
*[[Hawkins & Powers Aviation]]
*[[Zantop Air Transport]]

==Accidents and incidents==
;22 May 1947: [[USAAF]] XC-97 ''43-27472'' crashed in a wheat field near [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] and caught fire, killing five of seven crew on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 43-27472|id= 19470522-1|access-date= 26 January 2013}}</ref>
;6 June 1951: USAF C-97A ''48-0398'' crashed near [[Kelly Air Force Base]] due to a possible asymmetric flap extension on takeoff, killing all nine crew on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 48-0398|id= 19510606-1|access-date= 26 January 2013}}</ref>
;15 October 1951: After taking off from [[Lajes Field]], Azores, USAF C-97A ''49-2602'' of the [[Military Air Transport Service]] went missing on a flight from Lajes AFB (LFB), Azores to [[Westover Air Force Base]], Massachusetts. The aircraft was piloted by Captain John Francis Dailey Jr. and had a crew of 11. A total of 50 aircraft and ships searched the intended route but no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found.<ref>''Union News,'' Springfield, Massachusetts, 16 October 1951.</ref><ref>{{ASN accident|title= 49-2602|id= 19511015-1| access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref>
;22 October 1951: USAF C-97A ''48-0413'' crashed and burned next to a runway at Kelly AFB, killing four of six on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 48-0413|id= 19511022-1|access-date= 26 January 2013}}</ref>
;22 March 1957: USAF C-97C ''50-0702'' ''en route'' to [[Tokyo]] went [[1957 Pacific Ocean Boeing C-97 disappearance|missing]] over the [[Pacific Ocean]], with 10 crew and 57 passengers on board. It is the deadliest incident ever involving the C-97.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 50-0702|id= 19570322-0|access-date= 26 January 2013}}</ref>
;8 August 1957: USAF C-97 en route to Hawaii from US. No.1 engine lost its propeller and damaged No.2 engine. Aircraft flew for 5 hours at 150&nbsp;ft altitude to land at Hilo.<ref>{{ASN accident | id= 19570808-0}}</ref>
;19 January 1958: USAF C-97A ''49-2597'' en route to [[Kwajalein Atoll|Kwajalein]] from Honolulu [[List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1955–59)#1958|went missing]] over the Pacific Ocean with seven crew on board. The U.S. Navy confirmed that debris found 277 miles to the southwest of Honolulu, was wreckage of the plane.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 49-2597|id= 19580119-0| access-date=26 January 2013}}</ref>
;29 June 1964: USAF HC-97G ''52-2773'', along with USAF HC-54D ''42-72590'', were performing pararescue training and photography missions for the NASA Gemini program when the HC-54 banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97 and shearing off the wing and tail section; both aircraft crashed in the water off Bermuda, killing 17 on board both aircraft; seven survived after they jumped before the aircraft collided. The cause was probably incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= 52-2773|id= 19640629-1|access-date= 2015-06-30}}</ref>
;26 September 1969: A Nordchurchaid C-97G, (N52676), struck trees and crashed while on final approach to [[Biafran airlift|Uli Airstrip]], killing all five on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|title= N52676|id= 19690926-2|access-date= 26 January 2013}}</ref>
;30 July 1987: After taking off, a C-97G (HI-481) operated by [[Belize Air International]] (a [[cargo airline]]) crashed onto the [[Mexican Federal Highway 15|Mexico City-Toluca highway]] after the cargo shifted, killing 5 of 12 on board and 44 on the ground.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19870730-0 "Accident Report: Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter G, 30 July 1987."] ''Aviation Safety Network.'' Retrieved: 21 October 2011.</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Milestones-c97-070919-03-16.jpg|thumb|right|Former [[California Air National Guard]] C-97G ''53-0272'' at the [[Milestones of Flight Museum]], [[Fox Field]], [[Lancaster, California]] in 2007.]]
[[File:C97G.jpg|thumb|C-97G 52-2764 parked in front of the Don Q Inn just north of Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Highway 23.]]

===Israel===
;On display
*C-97K ''035/4X-FPO'' – [[Israeli Air Force Museum]], [[Hatzerim Airbase]], [[Beersheba]], Israel.<ref>[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/museums/israeli-air-force-museum.htm "C-97K Stratofreighter/AF Serial No. 52-2799."] ''aeroflight.co.uk.'' Retrieved: 8 November 2011.</ref>

===United States===
;Airworthy
;;C-97G (converted from KC-97G)
*52-2718 "Angel of Deliverance" – Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation of [[Farmingdale, New Jersey]]. It is painted as YC-97A 45-59595.<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=117GA "FAA Registry: N117GA."] ''faa.gov'' Retrieved: 15 July 2021.</ref><ref>[http://www.spiritoffreedom.org "C-97G Stratofreighter/AF Serial No. 52-2718 'Angel of Deliverance'."] ''spiritoffreedom.org.'' Retrieved: 13 November 2010.</ref>
;On display
;;C-97G (all converted from KC-97G)
*52-2626 – [[Pima Air & Space Museum]], adjacent to [[Davis–Monthan Air Force Base]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>[https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/boeing-c-97g/ "C-97G Stratofreighter/AF Serial No. 52-2626."] ''pimaair.org.'' Retrieved: 11 March 2022.</ref>
*52-2764 – Don Q Inn, next to the (now closed) [[Dodgeville Municipal Airport]] outside [[Dodgeville, Wisconsin]]. It was used for filming commercials.<ref>[http://www.donqinn.net/ "C-97G Stratofreighter/AF Serial No. 52-2764."] ''Don Q Inn.'' Retrieved: 20 July 2016.</ref>
*53-218 – Minnesota Air Guard Museum on the north side of the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport]] in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]].  It has been there since November 2003.<ref>[https://mnangmuseum.org/boeing-c-97g-stratofreighter "C-97G Stratofreighter/AF Serial No. 53-218."] ''Minnesota Air Guard Museum.'' Retrieved: 11 March 2022.</ref>

==Specifications (C-97)==
[[File:Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/c97.html "Boeing – History – C-97 Stratofreighter."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207144208/http://boeing.com/history/boeing/c97.html |date=2010-02-07 }} ''Boeing.'' Retrieved: 27 April 2009.</ref><ref>Hansen, Dave. [http://www.warbirdalley.com/c97.htm "Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter."]  ''Warbird Alley,'' 27 April 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/c-97-specs.htm "C-97 Stratofreighter Specifications."] ''GlobalSecurity.org,'' 27 April 2009.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=5–6 ([[Aviator|Pilot]], [[Copilot]], [[Flight officer|Navigator]], [[Flight engineer]], 1–2 [[Loadmaster]]s)
|capacity=<br />
** 134 troops<ref>Bridgman 1952, p. 184.</ref> ''or''
** 69 stretchers ''or''
**refuelling boom (three KC-97A aircraft only)
|length ft=110
|length in=4
|length note=
|span ft=141
|span in=3
|span note=
|height ft=38
|height in=3
|height note=
|wing area sqft=1734
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' Boeing 117 (22%); '''tip:''' Boeing 117 (9%)<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=82500
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=120000
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=175000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-4360B Wasp Major]]
|eng1 type=28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
|eng1 hp=3500
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=[[Hamilton Standard]] constant-speed fully-feathering propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=375
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=300
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=4300
|range note=
|ferry range miles=5760
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=35000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=69.2
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.117|hp/lb}}
|more performance=<!--<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
*[[Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy]]
*[[Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy]]
*[[Aero Spacelines Super Guppy]]
*[[Boeing 377 Stratocruiser]]
*[[Boeing B-50 Superfortress]]
*[[Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter]]
|similar aircraft=
*[[Convair XC-99]]
*[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
*[[Douglas DC-6|Douglas C-118 Liftmaster]]
*[[Douglas C-124 Globemaster II]]
*[[Lockheed C-69 Constellation]]
*[[Lockheed C-121 Constellation]]
*[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]
*[[Lockheed L-1249 Super Constellation|Lockheed R7V-2/YC-121F Constellation]]
|lists=
*[[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}

* Archer, Bob. "Database: Boeing C-97". ''[[Aeroplane Monthly|Aeroplane]]'', Vol. 45, No. 5, May 2017. pp.&nbsp;81–97. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}.
* Bach, Martin. ''Boeing 367 Stratofreighter, Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Aero Spacelines Guppies.'' Allershausen: NARA Verlag,  1996. {{ISBN|3-925671-18-8}}. 
* Bowers, Peter M. ''Boeing Aircraft since 1916.'' London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1989, {{ISBN|0-85177-804-6}}. 
* Bridgman, Leonard. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1952–53.'' London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1952. 
* Rubinstein, Murray and Richard Goldman. ''The Israeli Air Force Story'' London: Arms & Armour Press, 1979. {{ISBN|0-85368-462-6}}.
* Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M Bowers: ''United States Military Aircraft since 1909.'' London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1989, {{ISBN|0-85177-816-X}}.

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.ovi.ch/b377/articles/howToFly How to Fly the C97]
*[http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=86 Airliners.net – The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter]
*[http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/c97.html Angel of deliverance: Boeing C-97G sn 52-2718]
*[http://www.air-and-space.com/Boeing%20C-97.htm Goleta Air & Space Museum – Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter/Stratotanker]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090502051213/http://www.photovault.com/Link/Military/AirForce/Aircraft/KC-97Stratotanker.html PhotoValet – Air Force Military Aircraft: Boeing C-97 and KC-97 Stratotanker/Stratofreighter images]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEpihHE4kY&feature=fvw Newsreel introducing the C97 showing rear ramps]

{{Boeing military aircraft}}
{{Boeing model numbers}}
{{B-29 family}}
{{USAF transports}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Boeing aircraft|C-0097]]
[[Category:1940s United States military transport aircraft|Boeing C-097 Stratofreighter]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with auxiliary jet engines]]
[[Category:Boeing B-29 Superfortress|C-97]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1944]]
[[Category:Four-engined piston aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]