Convair R3Y
| Convair R3Y Tradewind | |
|---|---|
 A Convair R3Y-1 over the San Francisco Bay |
|
| Type: | Transport flying boat |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
April 18, 1950 |
| Commissioning: |
1956 |
| Number of pieces: |
13 |
The Convair R3Y Tradewind was an American flying boat with turboprop -drive from 1954, which to -air refueling and as troop transport was used.
history
Shortly after World War II , the US Navy issued a request to Convair for a large turboprop-powered flying boat. The long-haul flying boat should be used for patrol flights. Convair presented its Model 117 with four Allison T40 engines with six-bladed counter-rotating propellers. The US Navy ordered 1946 two prototypes with the designation XP5Y-1 . The first flight took place on April 18, 1950. One of the two prototypes ( BuNo 121455) crashed off San Diego on July 15, 1953, the eleven-man crew was able to save themselves with their parachutes. The P5Y program was then terminated, the remaining second prototype (which never flew) was scrapped in 1957.
The P5Y could carry 3,600 kg of bombs and was armed with five 20 mm twin cannons. The US Navy, however, stopped the development of the reconnaissance variant. In the next five machines, which were built as troop transports, the armament was removed and the hull was extended to 43.43 meters. They were designated as R3Y-1s and the first one flew on February 25, 1954.
The last six machines of type R3Y-2 received a hinged aircraft nose and a higher cockpit . They were intended for heavy transport and for landing operations from the sea. The first flight took place on February 24, 1955.
As a transcontinental seaplane, the R3Y set a new speed record in 1954 with 649 km / h . It did, however, take advantage of the jet stream at high altitude. It was the only aircraft in the world that could refuel four planes at the same time. Today's tanker aircraft can refuel a maximum of three other aircraft at the same time.
A total of 13 machines were built. The last accident was reason enough to end the program on April 16, 1958. The remaining machines were scrapped in 1959.
Incidents
After the crash in 1953, two more machines were lost due to the faulty engine system. Fortunately, there were no casualties in any of the three casualties:
- On May 10, 1957, BuNo 128448 had to make an emergency landing in San Francisco Bay and sank in shallow water, but was later lifted and scrapped.
- On January 24, 1958, BuNo 128446 lost a propeller on a flight from Hawaii to Alameda / California. The ailing aircraft was able to continue its flight, but was irreparably damaged on landing.
Versions
- XP5Y-1
- Prototype of a long-range reconnaissance vehicle; two built (BuNo 121455–121456).
- R3Y-1
- Transport flying boat, loading through side doors; five built (BuNo 128445–128449).
- R3Y-2
- Transport flying boat with a shorter bow, loading through a bow that can be opened upwards, later converted into tanker aircraft; six built (BuNo 128450, 131720–131734).
production
Acceptance of the Convair Tradewind by the US Navy:
| version | 1954 | 1955 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| R3Y-1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| R3Y-2 | 5 | 1 | 6th |
| TOTAL | 8th | 3 | 11 |
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data from the R3Y-2 Tradewind |
|---|---|
| crew | 8 as maritime patrolmen 103 soldiers as transporters |
| length | 42.26 m |
| span | 44.42 m |
| height | 15.68 m |
| Wing area | 195.3 m² |
| Wing extension | 10.1 |
| Empty mass | 32,579 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 66,000 kg |
| drive | 4 × Allison T40 turboprop engines, each with 5100 PS (3800 kW) |
| Top speed | 624 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 12,100 m |
| Range | 4482 km |
| Armament | - |
literature
- Last of the US "big boats". AIR International, Plane Facts, January 1981
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Statistical Digest of the USAF 1954. p. 70; 1955, p. 80