Convair XC-99
Convair · United States · first flew 1947 · transport aircraft
The Convair XC-99 was a massive double-deck transport aircraft derived from the B-36 bomber, sharing its wings, engines, and tail. It was the largest piston-engine transport aircraft ever built and could carry 400 troops or 100,000 pounds of cargo.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | World's largest piston-engine transport aircraft when built — double-deck fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- World's largest piston-engine transport aircraft when built — double-deck fuselage
- Shares B-36 wings and engines; enormous circular-section double-decker fuselage
- Six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radials (real count 6 — capped to 4 for field)
Unmistakable due to sheer size: the enormous double-bubble fuselage, B-36-style straight wing with six pusher radials (three on each side of the fuselage), and a conventional tall tail. Engine count is 6 in reality.
Specifications
- The Convair XC-99 has a length of 55.63 m (183 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 70.1 m (230 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 494 km/h (307 mph).
- Typical crew: 5 crew plus 400 troops or 100,000 lb cargo.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the B-36 bomber as a commercial and military transport concept, the XC-99 first flew in November 1947. Only one was built, and it served the US Air Force as a cargo carrier, hauling supplies and making notable heavy-lift missions throughout the early 1950s. It was retired in 1957 and is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Variants
Only one prototype/development aircraft was built. A commercial passenger variant was studied but not built.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Air Force Military Air Transport Service from 1949 to 1957, primarily at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas for heavy cargo missions.
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