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

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.

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

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.

A Samaritan was the first aircraft used as a flying gunship testbed in mid-1963, in a program known as "Project Tailchaser".^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7]
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^[8]
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

Paraguayan Air Force operated one former USAF Convair C-131D^[9]

United States

United States Air Force operated T-29 and C-131 aircraft.
United States Navy operated R4Y/C-131 and T-29 aircraft.
United States Coast Guard operated R4Y/C-131 aircraft.
NASA

On display

Convair C-131D of the U.S. Air Force Museum at Dayton, Ohio.

Source: Aeroweb^[10]

HC-131A (Search and Rescue)

Edward H. White II Memorial Museum, Brooks AFB, Texas; AF Ser. No. 52-5800
Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo, Colorado

C-131A

Minnesota Air National Guard Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota; AF Ser. No. 55-4757^[11]

C-131B

Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Lackland AFB/Kelly Field Annex (former Kelly AFB), Texas; AF Ser. No. 53-7811
Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida; AF Ser. No. 53-7821

C-131D

Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover AFB, Delaware; AF Ser. No. 55-0295
Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah; AF Ser. No. 55-300
March Field Air Museum, March ARB (former March AFB), Riverside, California; AF Ser. No. 54-2808
Aerospace Museum of California, former McClellan AFB, California; AF Ser. No. 54-2822
Selfridge Military Air Museum, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan; AF Ser. No. 55-0293
South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; AF Ser. No. 55-0292
Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum, Travis AFB, California; AF Ser. No. 54-2806
United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio; AF Ser No. 55-0301, former FAA civilian registration number N8443H

C-131F

National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS Pensacola, Florida; BuNo 141015

T-29A

Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska; AF Ser. No. 50-0190

T-29C

12th Flying Training Wing area, Randolph AFB, Texas; AF Ser. No. 53-3489 (previously displayed at former Mather AFB, California; disassembled and relocated following BRAC closure of Mather AFB)

Specifications (C-131B)

Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909^[12]

General characteristics

Crew: four
Capacity: 48 passengers
Length: 79 ft 2 in (24.14 m)
Wingspan: 105 ft 4 in (32.11 m)
Height: 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
Wing area: 920 ft² (85.5 m²)
Empty weight: 29,248 lb (13,294 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 47,000 lb (21,363 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-99 "Double Wasp" 18 cylinder air cooled radial engines, 2,500 hp (1,865 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 293 mph (255 knots, 472 km/h)
Cruise speed: 254 mph (221 knots, 409 km/h)
Range: 450 mi (391 nmi, 725 km)
Service ceiling: 24,500 ft (7,470 m)
Rate of climb: 1,410 ft/min (7.2 m/s)

References

Notes

↑ http://www.uswarplanes.net/t29c131.html
↑ Gradidge 1997, p. 20–21.
↑ "Project Tailchaser". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.
↑ 6109.com/history.htm
↑ Accident description for ASN Aircraft accident Convair C-131D (CV-340) 55-0291 München at the Aviation Safety Network
↑ http://www.georgeburk.com/pdf/usaf_official_report.pdf
↑ Wegg 1990, p. 190.
↑ "Old plane retired." Dayton Daily News. Retrieved: 21 July 2011.
↑ Andrade 1982, p. 176
↑ Aeroweb: Convair C-131 On Display, accessed Sept 1, 2011
↑ "CONVAIR C-131H SAMARITAN." Minnesota Air National Guard Museum. Retrieved: 30 July 2015.
↑ 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.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Convair C-131 Samaritan.

Convair 240 - National Air and Space Museum
C-131 Samaritan factsheet - National Museum of the United States Air Force
C-131D Samaritan - March Field Air Museum
C-131 Samaritan - GlobalSecurity.org
C-131 Samaritan - The Aviation Zone
Gunships - The Aviation Zone

Convair and General Dynamics aircraft

Manufacturer designations	(numbering continued from Vultee): 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 108 109 110 112 115 116 117 118 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8/8-24 9 11 21 22 23 24 27 30 31 48 240 300 340 440 540 580 600 640

Bombers	B-36 XA-44 XB-46 XB-53 B-58 YB-60

Fighters and attack aircraft	XP-81 XF-92 F-102 F-106 XFY F2Y Charger

Civilian transports	37 58-9 110 240 300 340 440 540 580 600 640 880 990 5800

Military transports	XC-99 C-131 R3Y R4Y T-29

Experimental aircraft	Kingfish NB-36H X-6

General Dynamics	F-111 F-111B F-111C F-111K EF-111A F-16 F-16XL F-16 VISTA Model 1600 RB-57F

United States military transport aircraft designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems

Army/Air Force sequence (1925-1962)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-8 C-9 C-10 C-11 C-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16 C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20 C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27 C-28 C-29 C-30 C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34 C-35 C-36 C-37 C-38 C-39 C-40 C-41/A C-42 C-43 C-44 C-45 C-46 C-47/T C-48 C-49 C-50 C-51 C-52 C-53 C-54 C-55 C-56 C-57 C-58 C-59 C-60 C-61 C-62 C-63 C-64 C-65 C-66 C-67 C-68 C-69 C-70/A/B/C/D C-71 C-72 C-73 C-74 C-75 C-76 C-77/B-D C-78 C-79 C-80 C-81 C-82 C-83 C-84 C-85 C-86 C-87 C-88 C-89 C-90 C-91 C-92 C-93 C-94 C-95 C-96 C-97/KC-97 C-98 C-99 C-100 C-101 C-102 C-103 C-104 C-105 C-106 C-107 C-108 C-109 C-110 C-111 C-112 C-113 C-114 C-115 C-116 C-117 C-118 C-119 C-120 C-121/F C-122 C-123/A C-124 C-125 C-126 C-127 (I) C-127 (II) C-128 C-129 C-130/J C-131 C-132 C-133 C-134 C-135/KC-135 C-136 C-137 C-138¹ C-139¹ C-140 C-141 C-142

Tri-service sequence (1962-present)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7/B C-8 C-9 C-10 C-11 C-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16¹ C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20A-D/F-H C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27/J C-28 C-29 C-30¹ C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34¹ C-35 C-36 C-37A/B C-38 C-39¹ C-40 C-41 C-42¹ C-43¹ C-44¹ C-45 C-46

Revived original sequence (2005-present)	C-143 C-144 C-145 C-146

Non-sequential designations	C-767 C-880

¹ Not assigned See also: AC-47 • AC-119 • AC-130 • DC-130 • EC-130 • HC-130 • KC-130 • LC-130 • MC-130 • WC-130 • CT-39 • CT-43

United States trainer aircraft designations, Army/Air Force and Tri-Service systems

Advanced Trainer
(1925-1948)

Basic Combat
(1936-1940)

Basic Trainer
(1930-1948)

Primary Trainer
(1924-1948)

Main sequence
(1948-present)

1948 redesignations	T-6 T-7 T-11 T-13A T-13B/D T-17 T-19

New designations	T-28 T-29 T-30 T-31 T-32 T-33 T-34 T-35 T-36 T-37 T-38 T-39 T-40 T-41 T-42 T-43 T-44 T-45 T-46 T-47 T-48 (I) T-48 (II) CT-49 T-50 T-51 T-52 T-53

Alternate sequences

1962 redesignations	T-1 T-2

1990-1996 sequence	T-1 T-2¹ T-3 T-4¹ T-5¹ T-6

¹ Not assigned

USN/USMC transport designations 1931–1962

Atlantic Aircraft	RA

Budd	RB

Curtiss	RC R2C⁴ R3C⁴ R4C R5C

Douglas	RD R2D R3D R4D R5D R6D

Bellanca	RE

Kinner	RK

Kreider-Reisner	RK² R2K

Martin	RM

Lockheed	RO R2O R3O R4O R5O R6O R7O-1/-2 to "V"

Stinson	RQ R2Q² R3Q

Fairchild	RQ R2Q R3Q² R4Q

Ford	RR

Sikorsky	RS

Northrop	RT

Lockheed	from "O" R6V R7V-1/-2 R8V

Convair	RY R2Y R3Y R4Y

¹ Not assigned • ² Assigned to a different manufacturer's type • ³ Sequence restarted • ⁴ Assigned to a different class of aircraft

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