Boeing 307 Stratoliner "The Flying Cloud"

This airliner was derived from the B-17C bomber and the first pressurized passenger aircraft, which gives it that swollen look. A pressurized cabin allows an airliner to fly above bad weather, allowing for more reliable flight schedules undeterred by thunderstorms.

They only built ten of these babies. One was bought by billionaire Howard Hughes who made it into his "flying penthouse," complete with bedroom, bar, and living room. It ended up as a houseboat in Florida.

This particular plane flew for Pan Am in the Carribean during WWII. Wacky dictator of Haiti "Papa Doc" Duvalier bought it for his personal use but never used it personally, fearing all planes and pilots.

Boeing restored it in Seattle for the Smithsonian over about eight years. During a test flight, it ran out of fuel even though the cockpit fuel guage said there was plenty. The pilot ditched it in Elliot Bay right in front of the startled diners at Salty's Restaurant in West Seattle and a Coast Guard station. The Coast Guard rescued the fliers before the Flying Cloud turned into a submarine. They didn't even get their feet wet.

It took another year to restore it again to flying condition. Usually, once a plane is soaked in saltwater it is taken out of flying service. Saltwater corrodes metal over years and there is no way to wash it out of every nook and cranny. However, this plane only needed to fly cross-country once to Washington.