History

After the launch of the Boeying B-2100 in 1949 Boeying looked into what to produce next. At the time, the first jet airliners started to appear, which peaked Boeying's ineterest. After some research the Boeying Company decided to develop a Jet engined variant of the newly released B-2100. Boeying was as usual not in the greatest finacial position at the time, so they needed investors. Some parties were interested, but the new aircraft peaked the interest of the Krakabloan Cargo Agency (KCA) most. At the time KCA wanted a jet powered aircraft that could carry both large amounts of cargo and passengers. There was one problem though: the streamlined fusalage of the B-2100 didn't allow for a conventional cargo door. That's why it was decided that there would be a cargo elevator. The elevator allowed for the extensive cargo operations KCA seeked, but went at the cost of passenger space, as the elevator mounts took up a large part of the interior center section.

The aircaft would use 4 of Boeying in house developed jet engine, which were originally designed for fighter aircaft ath the end of the second world war. The plane made it's first flight in 1954, five years after the intial plans. The problem was that this was the same year as the famous comet crashes. As it later turned out, it was due to the square window design, which was also incorperated in the new Boeying B-2200. The plane entered service in early 1956, only to be grounded the same year after the cause of the comet crashes were found.

Only 5 aircraft were delivered, with a further 11 ordered. After much debate Boeying and KCA decided not to refit the current B-2200's as it was to expensive. The Other 11 ordered aircaft would be redeveloped to incorperate oval windows.These would only see flight in early 1960. No other B-2200's were ordered, as airlines found the cargo elevator unpractical and preffered the Boeing 707. The last B-2200's were withdrawn from service by 1975, having only flown for 15 years. For unknown reasons KCA decided not to sell the retired aircraft and ordered the destruction of all 11. It's speculated that this is because KCA had it's name attached to the plane, thus it would be improper to sell to competitor airlines.

This example is the prototype plane used for testing.

Info:

Number built: 18
Period of service 1956 - 1956 ~ 1960 - 1975
Top Customer: KCA
Engines: 4x Boeying TJE-500
Cruising altitude: 35,000 ft
Range: Medium - Long Haul

Controls:

1- and VTOL for flaps
2- for Landing lights
3- for thrust reversers
4- for beacon and strobe lights
7- for cargo elevator

Images:

Made in collaboration with @12705129