Tradewind

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 10/12/2014 at 21:24 • Filed to: Planelopnik, convair

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Convair, who brought us the B-36, and by purchase of Consolidated the B-24 and Catalina, designed the R3Y based on a 1945 Navy requirement for an assault carrier that utilized a laminar flow wing and turbo prop engines. 13 aircraft were built with the first flight in 1954, the aircraft entered service in 1956, but was withdrawn in 1958 due to issues with its Allison turbo prop engines that led to the loss of four aircraft.

The Tradewind could haul 108 soldiers or 45k pounds of supplies, vehicles or fuel. The plane does still hold the record for transcontinental seaplane flights.

anonsagainstanonymous > f86sabre 10/12/2014 at 21:27

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mama's out with her babies.

The Transporter > f86sabre 10/12/2014 at 21:54

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That's not most unconventional seaplane that Convair ever built.

f86sabre > The Transporter 10/12/2014 at 21:56

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you thinking the Seadart?

The Transporter > f86sabre 10/12/2014 at 21:59

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But of course!

user314 > f86sabre 10/12/2014 at 22:04

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I've mentioned this before, but I love the early Cold War for the beautiful and slightly nuts ideas that were floated (pun somewhat intended) during the era. Two other favorites:

Also from Convair was the F2Y (later YF-7) Sea Dart, a supersonic fighter seaplane.

The engines didn't perform up to spec, the skis didn't dampen motion correctly, and advances in technology and technique allowed supersonic planes to operate from carriers. You'll see elements of the design on later Convair fighters though, specifically the YF-92, F-102, and F-106.

From Martin, the P6M Seamaster , a strategic seaplane bomber.

Initial problems with both waterborne and airborne performance were solved just in time for the whole project to be scrapped with the coming of the ballistic missile submarine.

Vee Ate Injun > f86sabre 10/12/2014 at 22:40

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all I can see in that top pic is the plane about to eat the tank, with an audible "ah-munch!"

The Compromiser > Vee Ate Injun 10/12/2014 at 23:28

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Its actually a traction motor bull dozer thingy. You can see tye driver at the back looking behind him. Nice striped tie.

f86sabre > Vee Ate Injun 10/13/2014 at 07:47

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nom, nom, nom

burntartichoke > user314 10/13/2014 at 13:56

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But for a while it was America's fastest nuclear bomber, the Air Force be damned! It also could buddy tank!

And it looks so good in Gray.

burntartichoke > user314 10/13/2014 at 13:57

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But for a while it was America's fastest nuclear bomber, the Air Force be damned! It also could buddy tank!

And it looks so good in Gray.

user314 > burntartichoke 10/13/2014 at 14:14

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Eh, I like the sea blue over white scheme better.

burntartichoke > user314 10/13/2014 at 14:36

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Sea Gray, because F-14

I think it can wear both equally well and I wish it was fielded long enough to see the service color change.

But sadly that was not to be.

Oh to live in a world where she saw as long of a service life as the B-52