Convair C-131 Samaritan

Convair C-131 Samaritan
Country	USA
Role	Military transport
First flight	1972
Built	512

The Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American twin-engined military transport produced from 1954 to 1956 by Convair. It was the military version of the Convair CV-240 family of airliners.

Source: Convair C-131 Samaritan on Wikipedia

Convair C-131D Samaritan Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Planes of Fame Air Show
Photos	52

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Convair C-131 Samaritan Walk Around
Photographer	Howard Mason
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	18

Convair HC-131A Samaritan Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Castle Air Museum, Atwate
Photos	106

The “Samaritan” of the Skies

The Convair C-131D Samaritan was the military transport version of the successful Convair CV-340 civilian airliner. Introduced in the 1950s, it was the first pressurized, twin-engine transport ordered by the U.S. Military Air Transport Service. While earlier variants like the C-131A were primarily flying hospitals, the “D” model was configured as a versatile personnel and VIP transport. Its reliability and pressurized cabin made it a staple for moving high-ranking officials and wounded personnel across the globe for over three decades.

Attribute	Technical Specification (C-131D)
Role	Military Personnel / VIP Transport
Crew	3-4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Flight Engineer, Steward)
First Flight (C-131 series)	September 22, 1949
Powerplant	2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W radial engines
Horsepower	2,500 hp each (with water/alcohol injection)
Maximum Speed	293 mph (472 km/h)
Service Ceiling	24,500 – 30,000 feet
Range	Approx. 1,300 – 1,800 miles
Capacity	44 Passengers or specialized VIP interiors

Engineering Excellence and Design Features

Pressurization Advantage: The C-131 was a massive leap forward from the unpressurized C-47s it replaced. This allowed it to fly above most weather, providing a much smoother ride for VIPs and more stable conditions for aeromedical evacuation patients.
Integral Airstair: Unlike many cargo planes of the era that required external ramps, the C-131D featured a built-in stairway that folded into the right side of the fuselage, allowing it to operate from remote airfields with minimal ground support.
Water/Alcohol Injection: To assist with heavy takeoffs or “hot and high” airfield conditions, its R-2800 engines could use a water-methanol injection system to temporarily boost horsepower, a common feature in late-era high-performance radial engines.
The “Long” Convair: The C-131D was based on the CV-340, which featured a longer fuselage and greater wingspan than the original CV-240 (used for the C-131A), allowing for increased payload and range.

A Legacy of Service

The First “Vomit Comet”: In 1959, a C-131 was the first aircraft used as a reduced-gravity platform to train the original Mercury Seven astronauts, earning it the famous “Vomit Comet” nickname.
The Gunship Testbed: In 1963, a C-131B was used for “Project Tailchaser,” the very first experiments in side-firing gunships, which eventually led to the development of the AC-47 and AC-130.
Air Force One Duty: On October 26, 1972, a C-131D was used by President Richard Nixon for a campaign trip, briefly serving as the primary presidential aircraft.
Long Life: While most were retired from the Air Force in the late 1970s, many continued to fly with the Air National Guard and the U.S. Navy well into the late 1980s.