Boeing history chronology

PRE-1910 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010–
1942 Feb. 14: The Douglas C-54 Skymaster makes its first flight. Designed as the DC-4, it is adapted for military use.
During the war Skymasters complete 79,632 transoceanic flights with only three ditchings, one of which
was a test.
Feb. 26:
April 18:
June 4:
June 20:
July:
July 4:
July 9:
July 10:
Aug. 17:
Sept. 21:
November:
The luxurious Boeing Stratoliners are stripped of their civilian finery and pressed into military service as
C-75s. The first flights carry antitank ammunition and medical supplies to British forces in Libya.
Sixteen North American B-25 Mitchells, led by Col. Jimmy Doolittle, leave for the pivotal raid on Japan.
Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, flying from three U.S. aircraft carriers, sink four enemy carriers on
the first day of the Battle of Midway, the turning point in the Pacific War.
The U.S. Army Air Forces activates the Air Transport Command, equipped primarily with military Douglas
DC-3s, Douglas C-54s and Curtiss C-46s.
One of a group of North American’s USAAF Texans score two direct hits on a German submarine off the coast
of Tampico, Mexico.
The U.S. Army Air Forces conduct the first U.S. attack on Nazi-occupied Europe. The mission is flown by
six American crews using Douglas DB-7Bs (A-20C) provided by the RAF.
The Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger (the “Lone Ranger”), a long-range seaplane patrol bomber, makes its
first flight.
The Douglas A-26 Invader makes its first flight.
The Boeing B-17 Yankee Doodle, the flagship of Brig. Gen. Ira Eaker, leads the first squadron of bombers
over occupied Europe.
The Boeing Model 345 (B-29) bomber makes its first flight.
At Boeing, peak production is reached at the Wichita plant for 750 wood-over-fabric Waco CG-4 gliders.
Each is large enough to hold a jeep or field gun.
Boeing history chronology
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