Consolidated-Vultee XC-99
February 1949 Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men

February 1949 Air Trails

Table of Contents These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

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Consolidated-Vultee XC-99

THE largest craft in the world at !he present time, with the exception

of the Hughes flying boat, the Consolidated-Vultee XC-99 is an ex­perimental troop, cargo, and hospital' transport. Its load capacity of 400 fully-equipped troops, or 100,000 lbs. of cargo, or 300 litter patients, dwarfs all transports of World War n.

The XC-99 is proof of the expanded use to which 'global air trans­portis to be put in the near future. Its six pusher engines have power equivalent to five locomotives, and the fuel supply, 21,166 gallons, would run an automobile around the world sixteen times.

At the present time the airplane is undergoing intensive test-flying by Convair personnel, upon successful completion of which it will be turned over to. the Air Force. The XC-99 has a maximum range of 8,100 miles with reduced loads and a service ceiling of 30,000 feet. The maximum speed is Detter than 300 mph. The wings and power plants

are the same as those of the B-36.

• Rear view of huge vertical fin of XC-99 soaring 57. ft., into the, air.

• Note how small man looks peering out of"porthole. Fuselage 189 ft. long.

• Convair L-13 liaison plane is small enough to land on the 230-ft. wing.

.6 pusher engines power the croft. P & W Wasp Majors, 3,000 hp each.

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