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R4Y / C-131 Samaritan
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Photo: Robert Deering 1986 National Museum of Naval Aviation Pensacola, Florida |
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In general, Douglas-built aircraft dominated the airplane ranks of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps transport squadrons, making the R4Y (later redesignated C-131) a virtual outsider when delivered in 1952. A military version of the Convair 340, which proved quite successful in the commercial field with sixteen American and foreign airlines placing orders for 160 production models in 1952 alone, the aircraft proved a versatile platform. It could carry forty-four passengers in the transport configuration and also had a twenty-seven bed capacity as an aerial ambulance. During its service life it was also adapted to serve as a VIP aircraft. Twenty-two airplanes acquired by the U.S. Coast Guard, and modified for use as search and rescue platforms, replaced the venerable HU-16 Albatross seaplanes. In addition to an array of improved avionics, these HC-131As featured a drop hatch, an underwater acoustic locator beacon, and two search observer positions in the fuselage.
All told, thirty-six R4Ys operated with the Navy including one equipped with an extensive array of radar and electronic equipment (including radomes) for use as a countermeasures research and development aircraft.The Museum's aircraft arrived in flyable condition from the Commander, Naval Air System's Command in 1982. |
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