Convair XC-99

XC-99
The sole prototype XC-99 off La Jolla in its early days of operation, before fitment of a nose radome and four-wheel main gear bogies
General information
TypeHeavy transport
National originUnited States
ManufacturerConvair
StatusCanceled
Primary userUnited States Air Force
Number built1
Serial43-52436
Total hours7,400 hours
History
Introduction date26 May 1949
First flight24 November 1947[1]
Retired1957
Developed fromConvair B-36 Peacemaker
Preserved atNational Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio

The Convair XC-99, AF Ser. No. 43-52436, is a prototype heavy cargo aircraft built by Convair for the United States Air Force. It was the largest piston-engined land-based transport aircraft ever built, and was developed from the Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber, sharing the wings and some other structures with it. The first flight was on 24 November 1947 in San Diego, California, and after testing it was delivered to the Air Force on 26 May 1949.[2] The Convair Model 37 was a planned civil passenger variant based on the XC-99 but was not built.

  1. ^ Associated Press, "400-Troop Plane Takes First Hop", The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Monday 24 November 1947, Volume 65, Number 194, page 1.
  2. ^ Jacobsen & Wagner 1980, p. 41.