Home

Museums

Manufacturers

Mission

Airshows

Performers


Consolidated R3Y-1 'Tradewind'

Description
  Manufacturer:Consolidated
  Base model:R3Y
  Designation:R3Y
  Version:-1
  Nickname:Tradewind
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1931-1962
  Basic role:Transport

Specifications
Not Yet Available

Known serial numbers
128445 / 128449


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Sami
 San DIego, CA
I have two examples of this aircraft, please see photos, The writing on the plane is US Navy, on plaque is CONVAIR NAVY and underneath: R3Y-1 "TRADEWIND" and the inner section-this was perhaps an ashtray? says: A Division of General Dynamics COrporation with the logo and Convair in the center. The double propellers spin around and the plane has decals. They need some cleaning up but I don't want to mess with it. We need to sell these to help pay for Extended care and need to realize as much as we can, but want to sell them- pleae remove this comment as it does not pertain to the site once it is read- you can contact me @ 858-232-4190. THank you, Sami
06/14/2008 @ 08:00 [ref: 21422]
 Bob Burkhart
 Lawrence, MI
I was a designated First Engineer on the R3Y returning from Hawaii when we lost the prop and came to rest on the seawall in the inner harbor at Alameda, I was with the squadren (VR-2) up until the squardon was decomissioned.
11/21/2007 @ 06:25 [ref: 18612]
 James D. Culbertson
 Corpus Christi, TX
I was an AD2 in VR2 from May 56 to May 58 and was 2nd engineer with on the crew with Derry Tucker. Was on the flight to Corpus Christi and with tucker when we lost a prop.
11/13/2007 @ 07:34 [ref: 18523]
 Derry Tucker
 Chula Vista, CA
I was an AD1 at Patuxent River. Md. In May 1954 and was assigned to the R3Y Test Program as a Flight Engineer with ADC Jack Phagan, AD1 E.J. McCracken and AD1 Fred Sipe.

We attended Convair R3Y training during June 1954. Our first R3Y-1 (¬Bureau No. 128448) was delayed and not delivered until 24 February 1955.

Our test program consisted of confirming all factory specs, including Max Gross take offs At 165,000 lbs. over load takeoffs up to 204,000 lbs., open sea landings and takeoffs, up to 3 engines out landings, etc. It was quite an education for this old country boy.

We returned Bureau No. 128448 to Convair in September 1955 and picked up R3Y - 2 Bureau No. 131720. Convair delivered R3Y-1 (Bureau No. 128445) the same month. We returned both to Convair during March 1956 and on 1 August 1956 we received R3Y-2 Bureau No. 131721 and operated it for two months. Most of our test crew personnel were transferred to VR-2. NAS Alameda Ca. by the end of 1956.

In VR-2, I was assigned to R3Y-2 Bureau No. 131724 and later to Bureau No. 131723 which was a refueling tanker. I was on the engineer's panel in June 1957 when we had the first engine failure that lost the props. It was the #2 engine that failed and we had considerable damage including a long vertical slash in the cargo cabin that contained a piece of prop blade about four feet long. We pressed a foam mattress in the opening to prevent taking on too much water on landing. We made it back to the base OK and the plane was repaired and flying again in a few weeks.

CDR Elbert Binkley and Lt Homer Ragsdale were the pilots and AD1 McCracken was the crew chief on both 128448 and 128446 when they crashed.

The Navy had five R3Y-1s (Bureau No. 128445 through 128449) and six R2Y-2s (Bureau No. 128450, 131720 through 131724). R3Y-1 Bureau No. 128445 and one other were refueling tankers as well as R3Y-2 Bureau No. 131422 and Bureau No. 131423.

The R3Y-1 was 139ft. 9in. long and the R3Y-2 was 141ft 1in long. The wing Span on both models was 145ft 9in. The engines were the T-40-10s which consisted of two jet power units each rated at 2800 H.P. driving a single gear box with 15 ft. counter rotating props for a total of 5600 H.P.

The total flight time on the R3Y fleet was 3302 hrs:
445-268 hrs.
446-716 hrs.
447-126 hrs.
448-422 hrs.
449-340 hrs.
450-205 hrs.
720-172 hrs.
721- 40 hrs.
722-421 hrs.
723-316 hrs.
724-776 hrs.

I have more information on the R3Y if anyone is interested.
Email dotsays@cox.net
or call (619) 426-3482.

09/08/2006 @ 08:01 [ref: 14101]
 BOB \"WILLIE\" WILLIAMS
 ALLENTOWN, PA
I WAS A AVIATION ELECTRICIAN, WITH THE R3Y TRADEWIND BACK IN
1956-57. I WAS STATIONED IN ALAMEDA CAL. NAVAL BASE.THE R3Y-1 OR 2 IS NOT SHOWN HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM SOMEONE.
02/08/2004 @ 16:21 [ref: 6749]
 Jim Sendek
 Loveland, CO
Spent entire hitch (54-58) with the Tradewind after AE school. Tested her at Pax River and also with her at NAS Alameda--Love to hear from guys I was stationed with and would like pictures or models if out there.
06/26/2002 @ 17:00 [ref: 5186]

 

Recent photos uploaded by our visitors