Convair C-131 Samaritan

C-131 Samaritan
R4Y / T-29
Convair C-131F Samaritan
Role Military transport
Manufacturer Convair
First flight 22 September 1949
Introduction 1950
Retired 1990
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Paraguayan Air Force
Number built 512[1]
Developed from Convair CV-240

The Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American twin-engined military transport produced from 1954 to 1956 by Convair. It was the military version of the Convair CV-240 family of airliners.[2]

Design and development

The design began life in a production requirement by American Airlines for a pressurized airliner to replace the classic Douglas DC-3. Convair's original design had two engines and 40 seats, and thus it was designated the CV-240. The first CV-240 flew on March 16, 1947, and production aircraft were first delivered to American on February 28, 1948. Seventy-five were delivered to American, with another fifty going to Western Airlines, Continental Airlines, Pan American Airways, KLM, Sabena, Swissair and Trans Australia Airlines.

Operational history

A C-131B used by the New Mexico Air National Guard.

The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for medical evacuation and VIP transport and was designated as C-131 Samaritan. The first model Samaritan, the C-131A, was derived from the CV-240 model, and was delivered to the USAF in 1954.

The earlier trainer model, designated the T-29, was also based on the Convair 240 and was used to instruct USAF navigators for all USAF aircraft and those USN Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) selected to fly land-based naval aircraft. First deliveries to the USAF were made in 1950 followed by large production quantities until early 1955. The USAF and the USN operated T-29s in separate units at separate locations until 1976. In 1974, the USAF T-29s with the 323d Flying Training Wing (323 FTW) at Mather AFB, California began to be replaced by the Boeing 737-derived T-43. In 1975, the Navy retired all of its T-29s assigned to Training Squadron Twenty-Nine (VT-29) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, deactivated VT-29, and merged their advanced navigator training program for land-based NFOs with the Air Force's program at Mather AFB.

A planned bomber training version of the T-29 (designated T-32) was never built. The CV-340 model was used for most C-131Ds.

In addition to T-29 variants, the United States Navy used the Samaritan, initially designated as the R4Y until 1962, at which point the naval aircraft were also redesignated as C-131s.

Nearly all of the C-131s left the active USAF inventory in the late 1970s, but the U.S. Coast Guard operated the aircraft until 1983, while the Air National Guard and U.S. Navy units operated additional C-131 airframes, primarily as Operational Support Aircraft (OSA) for Air National Guard flying wings and as naval air station "station aircraft" until 1990. The C-131 was primarily replaced by the C-9 Nightingale in regular USAF service, with the Air National Guard replacing their OSA with C-130 Hercules aircraft and the Navy with C-12 Hurons.

Mercury astronaut training in 1959

In 1959, a C-131 was the first aircraft to be used as a reduced-gravity aircraft or 'vomit comet', for astronaut training as part of Project Mercury.[3][4][5]

A Samaritan was the first aircraft used as a flying gunship testbed in mid-1963, in a program known as "Project Tailchaser".[6] A C-131B (AF Ser. No. 53-7820) was given a gunsight for the side window, but instead of guns it had cameras in the cargo area. Eventually the C-131 was ferried to Eglin AFB in Florida and a General Electric SUU-11A/A 7.62 mm Gatling-style Minigun was installed. Live ammunition was used and both over-water and overland tests were successful.

Accidents and incidents

On 20 March 1956 a T-29B was destroyed near Dobbins AFB, Georgia, while en route from Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas, to Idlewild Airport in New York, killing 2, Capt Cecil Bryant and 1/Lt. Donald Carillo. It was the first fatal accident involving Harlingen personnel since the base was re-activated.[7]

On 17 December 1960, a C-131D Samaritan crashed at Munich in what is the largest loss of life in an accident in the Bavarian capital. Shortly after takeoff one engine failed and the pilot tried to get back to Riem in heavy fog over Munich. Due to the limited visibility the aircraft struck the tip of St. Paul's church close to the Theresienwiese, and crashed onto a streetcar, killing all 20 people on board the plane, and 32 on the tram.[8]

On 4 May 1970, a T-29 en route from Hamilton AFB, Novato, California, to Fairchild AFB, Washington, crashed on take-off in remote Sonoma County, killing 13 of 14 aboard.[9]

On 30 April 1983, a C-131 assigned to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba crashed at NAS Jacksonville with the loss of 13 lives.

Variants

A U.S. Coast Guard HC-131A.
Convair T-29A navigational trainer of the U.S. Air Force with four astrodomes above the fuselage
The NC-131H Total-In-Flight Simulator at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
C-131A
Transport for United States Air Force based on Convair 240, capable of carrying 39 passengers on rearward facing seats or 20 stretchers and 7 seats. 26 built.[10]
HC-131A
Surplus C-131As transferred to the United States Coast Guard, 22 transferred.
MC-131A
Temporary designation used before 1962 when a C-131A was used for medivac duties with 27 stretchers.
VC-131A
Temporary designation used before 1962 when a C-131A was used as a staff transport.
C-131B
A hybrid Model 240/340 with seats for 48 passengers, 36 built.
JC-131B
C-131B converted for missile tracking, six conversions.
NC-131B
One C-131B used for permanent testing.
VC-131B
C-131B when used as a staff transport.
YC-131C
Two Model 340s flown with Alison 501D-13 engines.
C-131D
Military version of the Model 340 with seats for 44 passengers, 33 built.
VC-131D
C-131D when used as a staff transport.
C-131E
Electronic Countermeasures training version for Strategic Air Command (SAC), later designated TC-131E, 15 built and one conversion from C-131D, two transferred to United States Navy as R4Y-2.
TC-131E
C-131E redesignated.
C-131F
R4Y-1 redesignated.
RC-131F
Conversions for photo-mapping and survey, six conversions.
VC-131F
R4Y-1Z redesignated.
C-131G
R4Y-2 redesignated.
EC-131G
One C-131G modified as an electronics trainer.
RC-131G
One C-131G modified as an airways aid checking duties.
VC-131G
C-131G used as a staff transport.
C-131H
Other models converted to Model 580 turboprop standards.
NC-131H
One conversion with an extended nose incorporating a separate cockpit as a Total In-Flight Simulator. This aircraft was transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio on November 7, 2008[11]
R4Y-1
United States Navy version of the Model 340 with 44 passenger seats, redesignated C-131F in 1962, 36 built.
R4Y-1Z
United States Navy staff transports, redesignated VC-131F in 1962, one built and conversions from R4Y-1.
R4Y-2
Two C-131Es transferred to the United States Navy, redesignated C-131G in 1962, an additional 13 cancelled.
R4Y-2Q
Projected radar countermeasures version of the R4Y-2, five cancelled
R4Y-2S
Projected United States Navy Anti-Submarine Warfare trainer version, 14 on order cancelled.
XT-29
Prototype military trainer version of the Model 240 for the United States Air Force, two built.
T-29A
Initial production version for navigator training, unpressurised cabin for 14 students, 46 built.
VT-29A
T-29As converted for staff transport.
T-29B
Pressurised version with room for 10 navigator and four radio operator students, 105 built.
NT-29B
One T-29B used for permanent testing.
VT-29B
T-29B converted for staff transport with seating for 29 or 32 passengers.
T-29C
T-29B with 2500hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-29W engines, 119 built.
AT-29C
T-29C modified for airways checking duties, redesignated ET-29C in 1962.
ET-29C
AT-29C redesignated.
VT-29C
T-29C converted for staff transport.
T-29D
Bombardier training version of the T-29C with room for six students, 93 built.
ET-29D
Airways checking conversion of the T-29D.
VT-29D
Staff transport conversion of the T-29D.
XT-29E
Proposed turboprop version of T-29B, none built.
YT-32
Proposed bomber training version with transparent nose, none built.

Operators

 Paraguay
 United States

Survivors

Convair C-131D of the U.S. Air Force Museum at Dayton, Ohio.
HC-131A
C-131A
C-131B
C-131D
C-131F
NC-131H
T-29A
T-29B
T-29C

Specifications (C-131B)

Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909[39]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ T-29 / C-131
  2. ↑ Gradidge 1997, p. 20–21.
  3. ↑ "Mercury Astronauts in Weightless Flight on C-131 Aircraft". 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
  4. ↑ "Mercury Astronauts in Weightless Flight on C-131 Aircraft". NASA on the Commons. 1959.
  5. ↑ How The Vomit Comet Works - Convair C-131 on YouTube
  6. ↑ "Project Tailchaser". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.
  7. ↑ 6109.com/history.htm
  8. ↑ Accident description for ASN Aircraft accident Convair C-131D (CV-340) 55-0291 München at the Aviation Safety Network
  9. ↑ http://www.georgeburk.com/pdf/usaf_official_report.pdf
  10. ↑ Wegg 1990, p. 190.
  11. ↑ "Old plane retired." Dayton Daily News. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.
  12. ↑ Andrade 1982, p. 176
  13. ↑ "Actual Aircraft on Display in Pueblo". Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  14. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair CV-240/340/440/580/600/640 / C-131 / R4Y / T-29, s/n 5794 USCG, c/n 53-14, c/r N3999P". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "CONVAIR C-131H SAMARITAN." Minnesota Air National Guard Museum. Retrieved: 30 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131B Samaritan, s/n 53-7811 USAF, c/n 340-263, c/r N2034L". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131B Samaritan, s/n 53-7821 USAF, c/n 340-273". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  18. ↑ Veronico, Nick. "Outdoor Exhibits - C-131D "Samaritan"". Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center. Travis Heritage Center. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  19. ↑ "C-131D Samaritan". March Field Air Museum. March Field Air Museum. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair CV-240/340/440/580/600/640 / C-131 / R4Y / T-29, s/n 54-2810 USAF, c/n 340-207". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Convair VC-131D Samaritan". Aerospace Museum of California. Aerospace Museum of California. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131D-CO Samaritan, s/n 55-0292 USAF, c/n 340-315, c/r N8435H". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca.
  23. ↑ "C-131D SAMARITAN". Selfridge Military Air Museum. Selfridge Military Air Museum. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  24. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131D Samaritan, s/n 55-0293 USAF, c/n 440-316, c/r N8436H". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  25. ↑ "C-131D Samaritan". Air Mobility Command Museum. AMC Museum Foundation, Inc. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  26. ↑ "C-131D "Samaritan"". Hill Air Force Base. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131D-CO Samaritan, s/n 55-0301 USAF, c/n 440-329, c/r N8443H". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  28. ↑ "Vintage Transports, photos by Friends & Guests". RuudLeeuw.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "Convair 340-71 Samaritan (C-131F)". Yanks Air Museum. Yanks Air Museum. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  30. ↑ "C-131 SAMARITAN". National Naval Aviation Museum. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  31. ↑ "SAMARITAN". Pima Air & Space Museum. PimaAir.org. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair C-131F Samaritan, s/n 141025 USN, c/n 340-308, c/r VH-EAQ". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  33. ↑ "Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS)". National Museum of the US Air Force. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  34. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair NC-131H Samaritan, s/n 53-7793 USAF, c/n 340-245, c/r N793VS". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  35. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair GT-29A Samaritan, s/n 49-1934 USAF, c/n 240-201". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  36. ↑ "T-29A "Flying Classroom"". Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  37. ↑ "FLYING CLASSROOM". Pima Air & Space Museum. PimaAir.org. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  38. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair T-29C Samaritan, s/n 53-3489 USAF, c/n 240-443". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  39. ↑ Swanborough and Bowers 1969, p. 150.
Bibliography
  • Andrade, John. Militair 1982. London: Aviation Press Limited, 1982. ISBN 0 907898 01 7.
  • Frawley, Gerald. "Convair CV-540, 580, 600, 640 & CV5800", The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 1997/98. Fyshwick ACT: Aerospace Publications, 1997. ISBN 1-875671-26-9.
  • Gradidge, Jennifer. The Convairliners Story. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1997. ISBN 0-85130-243-2.
  • Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Punam, 1963.
  • Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecessors. London: Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.
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