Yesterday's 'What Is It?' photo brought so many replies (nearly
all right, by the way), that we had to send somebody out in the
early morning, to buy some more electrons, just to read all our
e-mail. Apparently, something that big just can't be kept a
secret!
First off, the prop size we cited was wrong. Raymond says: "It
is a Convair XC-99. The props are 19 ft, not 13 ft. It is the cargo
version of the B-36. I believe it is now located at Kelly field in
San Antonio, Texas."
Robbie answered, in few words: "Convair XC-99."
Leon's answer was even shorter: "XC 99."
Andy (from Scotland) told of its planned future: "It's a Convair
XC-99, a double deck military transport variant of the B36. There
were also plans for a model 37, a 204-seat civilian airliner
variant, though never built."
Tom knew, and he had a question: "It's the Convair Model 37,
delivered to the Air Force as the XC-99. It's based on the B-36
bomber and your picture shows the only one completed, which was the
prototype. It had an astonishing wingspan of 230 feet and a 50 ton
payload. It could carry 400 fully-equipped (by 1947 standards)
troops. It was the world's largest transport plane until the C-5
came along two decades later. I don't know what became of it. Do
you?
Barry knew where to find it: "Last time I saw it, it was in San
Antonio, Texas. It was parked near the end of the runways of one of
the Air Force bases near US 90."
Bill got aboard once. "This plane now sits in San Antonio TX. I
had the privilege of touring this aircraft while I was stationed at
Kelly AFB in the 70's.It is the only one of its kind."
José brought us up to date: "That plane pictured is the
XC-99,.the transport version of the B-36. It was the only one
built. It is now residing at the former Kelly A.F.B., now known as
Kelly Field at Lackland A.F.B. It is in bad shape with the wings
off the plane. I just saw it this past weekend (03-02-02) sitting
near the TX Air Force Reserve tarmac housing the 433rd Airlift wing
flying C-5As."
Jug was there, too: "The mystery ship in your 3/7/02 edition is
an XC-99. See below. I have seen this aircraft. In the early 70's
it sat on the west side of the runways at Kelly AFB, San Antonio,
TX on the access road that went from Kelly to Lackland AFB."
Larry saw it: "I last saw it in a field by Kelly AFB, San
Antonio."
Adam heard a welcome, but, alas, untrue rumor: "The last time I
saw it was in 1997. It was falling apart at the end of the field at
Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio. I heard a rumor that it was
hauled off for restoration, but I can't confirm this."
Dave couldn't have said it more gently, if he tried: "The only
XC99 ever built, currently rotting away at what used to be Kelly
field."
Tom said essentially the same, and just as gently: "Today's
oddity is the one and only forlorn XC-99, a double decker transport
built on the wings, engines, tailfeathers and landing gear of the
B-36. It sadly is rotting outside the Former Kelly AFB in
Texas."
Larry mentioned, "Unfortunately for it, it arrived about the
same time as the Boeing C-135 (Boeing 707) and B52. This coupled
with the small number of B36's purchased (24 or so) made parts
interchangeability more of a liability than an asset."
Pete reminded us to "check out
http://www.40th-bomb-wing.com/gallery6.html for some history
and the current location of this piece of aviation history." He
noted that "The aircraft pictured is the Convair XC-99. This was a
one-off transport variant of the B-36 bomber, retaining the bombers
powerplant, wheels, tail and wings and substituting a two-deck
fuselage. Capable of carrying 400 troops or 101,000 lbs of cargo.
First flown Nov 1947, retired in 1957 after a career of special
transport missions."
Jaime might maybe work at a tire store: "Looks like a Convair
XC-99, which was the transport version of the B-36. This airplane
also at one time laid claim to having the largest tire fitted to an
airplane until the gear was modified to a dual wheel configuration.
Power was six P&W R-4360s.
Tom said, "What is it? Ugly." Right, again!
Ralph said, "Been awhile and I was wondering when you might
start this again. The aircraft is a Convair built XC-99. Here is a
link of interest: http://www.cowtown.net/proweb/B36_Home.htm"
Kyle had it, too: "Consolidated XC-99, which is a derivative of
the B-36."
Jim: "It's Consolidated's attempt to make a commercial liner out
of the B-36."
Curtis: "Looks like a picture of the Convair (Consolidated
Vultee Aircraft Corporation) XC-99. Every now and then there is
footage of it flying in shows on Discovery Wings."
Edward chided us: "Oh, that is too easy. It is a photo of the
one and only Convair XC-99. Proposed as a cargo derivative of the
B-36. Only one was built (at the Convair facility in san Diego,
where the B-36 was built at Convair's Ft. Worth plant), and it now
rests at Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas."
The "Airbus angle:"
John had some words for Airbus: "Convair XC-99 Transport/cargo
version of the B-36. However, the idea of Airbus producing an
aircraft to compete against the unfair US strong-hold on
Antique/Classic markets just might be true."
Steve noted, "That is the Convair XC-99 - the cargo version of
the B-36 Peacemaker. It shared the same 230-foot wingspan as
the B-36, however, has a cargo deck that can seat up to 400
troops. It was also used to ferry B-36 engines. Only
one was built."
Another Steve had perhaps an ominous warning for the A380,
though that's not what he said, directly: "The photo is the XC99
returning to the Convair plant in San Diego. The aircraft is built
upon the B36 wings, powerplane and tail. The project died because
the aircraft was too big to meet USAF needs and frequently flew
half empty." Or, as Airbus might say, "half full."
We found out a bit more:
A former pilot of the behemoth, whose name we are not to
disclose (he checked out authentic), let us know that "It was like
flying around in your living room," and reminded us that it had a
huge elevator inside, too. He remembered that you could get out of
the pilot's seat, and walk around the left side of the chair, and
walk over to the windows, and look out. Geez!
ANN Reader Bill brought us up to the minute:
Transport version of the enormous Convair B-36 Peacemaker.
strategic bomber. Only one aircraft was built, tail number
43-52436. Retaining the Peacemaker's powerplant, tail unit, and
wings (a span of 230 feet!), the XC-99 had a new two-deck fuselage
which could accommodate 400 fully-equipped troops, 300 stretchers,
or 101,000 pounds of cargo. First flown on 23 November 1947, it
subsequently acquired bogie main wheel units and weather radar. The
aircraft had a maximum speed 300 mph and was used primarily to
ferry engines for the B-36 fleet. The lone XC-99 aircraft was
finally retired from service in 1957. It is currently at the
Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Kelly AFB (TX).
The XC-99 is to be disassembled and shipped to Wright Patterson
Air Force Base for restoration. The most recent issue of the
Friends Journal, the newsletter of the Air Force Museum includes a
statement to the effect that, "We have obtained bids for the
disassembly and re-assembly of the XC-99. We are now scratching our
heads over the movement of the pieces to Wright-Patterson and the
Museum. The price tags involved are certainly reflective of the
size of the aircraft. We are committed to bringing the XC-99 to the
United States Air Force Museum."
Too Easy?
Robert said, "...this is too easy. Everybody over 65 knows what
a Convair Vultee XC-99 variant of the B-36 Peacekeeper is. Next
time try its baby protector, the XF-83 Goblin."
No Goblins until at least Halloween, Robert.
OK, smarty pants -- What was the first US fighter plane to have
an (onboard) APU? (answer to editor@aero-news.net)
NTSB Final Report: Stinson 108
See All