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Budd RB-1 'Conestoga'

Description
  Manufacturer:Budd


  Base model:RB
  Designation:RB
  Version:-1
  Nickname:Conestoga
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1931-1962
  Basic role:Transport
 

Specifications
Not Yet Available

Known serial numbers
39292 / 39308, 39309 / 39491

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Pima Air & Space MuseumTucsonArizona

RB-1 on display

Pima Air & Space Museum
    


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 HOWARD B. GIBSON
 BURLINGTON, NC
I WAS NAVAL AVIATION CHIEF ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN ATTACHED
TO THE RADIO TEST SECTION OF PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR
STATION (1943-1944). RADIO TEST HAD ONE RB-1, AND FLIGHT
TEST HAD ONE OR MORE OTHERS. I PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL
FLIGHTS, TESTING IFF EQUIPMENT. OF PARTICULAR NOTE HERE
WAS OUR RECORDING EQUIPMENT, WHICH USED MAGNETIC WIRE. WE
DID NOT EXPERIENCE IT, BUT SEVERAL RB'S HAD PROBLEMS IN
LOWERING RIGHT & LEFT LANDING GEARS SIMULTANEOUSLY.
10/25/2007 @ 20:51 [ref: 18305]
 Aaron Robinson
 Wilmington, NC
Even though it never saw frontline service, the Budd Conestoga featured a number of innovations which were found in later cargo aircraft.

The U.S. Military planned to use the Conestoga in large numbers. The USAAF placed in order for 600 C-93s, while the US Navy ordered 200 RB-1s, both aircraft adopting the Conestoga appellaion after the pioneers` covered wagon. However, problems fabricating the stainless-steel parts that made up the Conestoga delayed production, and it was not until March 1944 that production RB-1s began to reach the Navy. By that time, the USAAF had canceled its entire order, and only 17 RB-1s were acquired by the Navy, with which they had a short career before their retirement in early 1945.
09/20/2007 @ 16:47 [ref: 17978]
 Kat Cuevas
 Seattle, WA
I read on a lost airfield website that this was originally tested by a man named Guy Miller. Does anyone know who he was? The test pilot?
12/29/2006 @ 13:45 [ref: 15033]
 PF
 , MI
Just came across a Training Course written for welders of the RB-1 Conestoga. The manual, produced in 1943, reproduced a series of 11 lectures offering a comprehensive review for the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company of the SHOTWELD welding system for stainless steel.

It was the same welding system used on stainless steel Budd railway cars from 1931-1981.
09/25/2006 @ 19:01 [ref: 14287]
 John Tucker
 Ann Arbor, MI
The Tucker Automobile Corp had on of these to transport the Tucker Automobile around the country. It was apparantly a real slug and they finally left in at an airport somewhere down south.
05/14/2006 @ 12:59 [ref: 13276]
 David J. Leidel
 Arlington, TX
I was in Tucson on business, so I visited the RB-1 at the Pima Museum. Came from service in Mexico as I was told. My dad was the Flight Test Engineer on the RB-1 at Budd Field on Red Lion Rd. in Philadelphia. Bill Page was the Test Pilot as I recall. I still have dad's flight log and it recorded a couple of forced landings. Where are all the drawings and records of this Navy program? Does Budd still have them or were they discarded years ago?
It would be nice to see the Pima ship assembled and on display. I tried to interest Budd Co. but I never even got the courtesy of a reply.
12/12/2001 @ 16:11 [ref: 3812]
 Walt Bauer
 Cedar Park, TX
My great Aunt was a "Rosie the rivater" at Budd Corp. during the WWII.
She was the only woman to ride in this bird and on landing, they had a small mishap
whereas the plane ran off the runway and put a dent in the stainless steel, nose area.
They sent some to Pax River NAS, where after the war, they pushed them into the river,
guess they are still there. They were gas hogs so they didn't pan out as far as the military
was concerned.Lots of good storys about this aircraft.
Flying Tiger Cargo Co. purchased some to fly also. This is the only place I know,
that there is one on display.If any one knows the whereabouts of others, please contact me.
I hope to get up to see it sometime.
06/05/2001 @ 20:48 [ref: 2412]

 

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