Boeing 40B
Henry Ford Museum
The Boeing Model 40B was built in Seattle, WA by the Boeing company as an A model in 1927, for Boeing Air Transport Service, which later became United Air Lines. Refitted with a larger engine in 1928, it became a B model. This aircraft was used for mail and passenger service. It was the last of its type in service, having been used for blind flying training and radio-navigation mapping until its retirement in 1938. It was then delivered to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI where it has been a permanent display. It is now being reconditioned to its 1929-30 appearance.
Disassembly in the Henry Ford Museum.
Fuselage in the shop
Fuselage uncovered
Fabric fitted to fuselage
Fabric installed and sheet metal painted
Vertical fin uncovered
Rudder uncovered
Finish tapes on the fin
Poly-Brushing the rudder
Fin finished and rudder almost
Rudder finished
Fuselage side finish painted
Fabric attachment detail — below the orange stripe is fabric laced to the metal
Logos finished
Struts and hardware finished
Vertical tail mounted
Cowling finished
Fuselage finished
Horizontal tail covered
Horizontal tail finished
Fabric off aileron.
Ailerons being covered.
Ailerons covered
Ailerons finished
Wing being uncovered
Wing uncovered for inspection
Fabric going on
Wing covered
Don lacing ribs
Wing ready for color
Wing finished
Another wing finished
One more wing finished
Last wing ready to cover
Last wing finished
Landing gear finished
Loading into the container
Lifting onto the truck
Unloaded in the Henry Ford Museum
Assembly started
Tail finished
Wings going on
Bottom wing is next
Left top hooked up
Wings installed and rigged
Lifted to install landing gear
Landing gear is on
A couple bottom panels to do
Malcolm and Glenn
Waiting for Museum staff to install the engine and wheels
Completed display in the Henry Ford Museum
Go to Pemberton and Sons Aviation to view pictures of a Boeing 40 C in flight.