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| Max. speed 307mph, cruise 240-mph; ceiling 29,500 ft.; range 8,100 mi.
Weights: 135,232 lbs. empty, 265,000 lbs. gross, 320,000 lbs. max. takeoff.
Dimensions: Span 230 ft., length 182 ft. 6 in., wing area 4,772 sq. ft.
In the darkest days of 1941, when the U.S. feared the possibility of being cutoff from bases
outside the Western Hemisphere by victorious Axis forces, the AAF issued a requirement for an
aircraft termed the "Intercontinental Bomber," capable of flying 8,000 miles with 10,000 lbs.
of bombs. Consolidated (became Convair in 1943) received one of the two development contracts
awarded in late 1941 for its proposed Model 35 (later changed to Model 36), a six- engine pusher
design, under the designation XB-36, then in 1942, under the assigned designation XC-99, the
company was directed to design a transport variant that would utilize the same wing, powerplants,
and empennage. The AAF authorized Consolidated to proceed with the detailed design of the
XC-99 sometime in 1943, however, as with the XB-36 project, changing military priorities delayed actual construction to the extent that the war ended long before the XC-99 could be brought to completion, by which time the project was limited to one experimental prototype. Upon making its first flight on November 23, 1947, the XC-99, in terms of payload, was the largest landplane transport in the world. As originally built, the XC-99 featured the single-wheel main landing gear of the XB-36, restricting operations to only a few runways capable of supporting the weight. To overcome this limitation, it underwent modifications to receive the four- wheel, bogie- type main gear developed for the YB-36A.
Following factory testing, the XC-99 was delivered to the USAF for acceptance trials that
were concluded in late 1949. Due to other large, long- range transport types already in service
or on order (i.e., C-74, C-97A, and C-124), the XC-99 never became a strong candidate for production. Assigned to SAC for strategic logistical support, the XC-99 flew its first active service mission in July 1950, carrying a payload of 101,206 lbs. from Kelly AFB in Texas to McClelland AFB in California. Although occasionally used for other duties, the aircraft's primary job entailed hauling B-36 spares and components from Texas to California. After logging 7,400
hours of flying time, the XC-99 was retired from service in 1957. From the late 1950s to the
mid-1990s, the aircraft was an outside exhibit open to the public at Kelly AFB, then in 2004,
was disassembled and moved piece by piece to Wright- Patterson AFB in Ohio, where it is currently
being restored by the USAF Museum as a future exhibit.
E.R.Johnson "American military transport aircraft since 1925", 2013
External links
| MODEL | XC-99 |
| CREW | 5 |
| PASSENGERS | 400 |
| ENGINE | 6 x 3,500-hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-41 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air- cooled radial engines |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 145280 kg | 320289 lb |
| Loaded weight | 120000 kg | 264556 lb |
| Empty weight | 61395 kg | 135354 lb |
| Payload | 400 troops or 45000kg of cargo | 882 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 70.10 m | 230 ft 0 in |
| Length | 55.63 m | 183 ft 6 in |
| Wing area | 443.33 m2 | 4771.96 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 494 km/h | 307 mph |
| Cruise speed | 386 km/h | 240 mph |
| Ceiling | 9000 m | 29550 ft |
| Range | 13000 km | 8078 miles |
 | A three-view drawing (660 x 794) |
| Jim Hoak, e-mail, 31.10.2012 13:45 I saw this aircraft fly over while in U.S. Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB in June 1956. It flew out of Kelly AFB. Later was mechanic on B-36 ( similar aircraft ). reply | | Jim Wells, e-mail, 28.10.2012 06:34 My brother and I saw this aircraft sometime between, 1959 or 1960. Our uncle, Herbert Eaton, a Staff Sgt. station at Kelly AFB, Took us to see this huge aircraft. I was only 8 or 9 at the time. I'll never forget the sheer size of it. What an experience for a young kid from the Rio grande valley. We were told that the machcanics were able to walk in the wings while in flight to check the hydraulics. Wow a memory that will be with me always! reply | | Tom Clark, e-mail, 29.07.2012 06:40 I THINK I first saw the xc99 at Wright Field from Airway Road in 1954. It was parked in the same area where it now lies in pieces. (I know I also saw it parked at Kelly AFB in 1964 while stationed at Lackland AFB.) Can anyone support or confirm what I think I saw at WPAFB? reply | | jeff patton, e-mail, 15.06.2012 19:42 My father, Gene M. Patton, flew this aircraft from Kelly AFB in the mid 50's. One complaint about the a /c was it was slow. It was scheduled to receive jet engines on the outboard of the wings like the late model B-36s had but a crack was discovered in the wing box which was deemed unrepairable and the aircraft was grounded. It sat slowly deteriorating at Kelly AFB for several decades until General Dynamics (formally Convair) agreed to transport teh aircraft to Ft Worth for restoration for display but not for flying. reply | |
| | Tom Williams AS1 USNR, e-mail, 09.05.2012 17:35 I have lived in San Antonio all my 70+ years and when I first saw this aircraft it was so amazing and big, real big. All of my times over seas and in the US Navy visiting so many places and seeing this plane it has always amazed me and I will always hold it dear to my heart. I do hope they restore it for the kids of the future to visit and see it. It kinda reminded me of one of the Aircraft Carriers I was on. Big. reply | | Joseph Salm, e-mail, 21.02.2012 16:41 The first time I saw this aircraft, it was parked near the roadway between Lackland AFB Texas and San Antonio Texas. It was my first in town leave from Lackland back in late 1959. I was really impressed with this aircraft and find it a shame that it was left so long to deteriorate before being rescued for restoration. Would have been nice to have it still on that road where I first saw it. To me it was a real landmark. reply | | Al, e-mail, 26.12.2011 18:38 I grew up in San Antonio about 10 miles from Kelly AFB. I remember my mother was outside hanging cloths to dry and called me to see the XC-99 flying over our house. She was quite familiar with the plane because it was mentioned many times in our neighborhood. I saw it flying at about 1,000' altitude and got a good look. It was huge. I was about 5 yrs. old at the time. The next year it was the most popular plane at the Kelly Field Air Show. Around 1954 or 55. My father took me to the exhibit and I got to go inside the plane. I am very glad to know the XC-99 will be restored. reply | | "Lucky" Cuoco, USAF Ret, e-mail, 02.10.2011 07:48 Al Gervaise, Navigator,and I were leaning out of our 2nd
story office windows when Bird was rolling for take-off.
He looked over at me and said, "Just think, Lucky" someday
that aircraft will be the largest hunk of junk owned by
our Air Force! I had to agree! reply | | leo morris, e-mail, 13.06.2011 03:58 i was at goose bay when the beast started ferrying emergency supplies. it would zoom right over our unit and shake the rafters. it was a sight to behold! reply | | Noname, e-mail, 31.03.2020 10:24 What a Plane! I was stationed at Keflavik Iceland in 1954 and used to see this wonder when she came in. I took many pics of her as she sat eating up cargo like a piranah. It reminded me of an oversized C-124 reply | | George Hardy, e-mail, 02.06.2011 12:31 I was just a kid of 10 when my dad and the whole family
parked on the hillside overlooking Lindberg Field in San Diego, when the XC-99 took its maiden flight in 1947. At
74, I still haven't forgotten the excitement watching that
bird take flight. It was pretty massive, but didn't take long to get off the ground. A great experience. reply | | Richard S. Blair, LTC USAF Ret, e-mail, 01.05.2011 05:19 I was an Airman in the USAF Band at Bolling AFB from 1953 to 1957. The CX-99 was parked just at the foot of our block across from the (old) chapel - during an Armed Forces Day Open House. I believe this was in 1955. Contrary to what R. Lewis states, above, it did come to Bolling after 1952. We were all so proud of American Aircraft Engineers! reply | | deaftom, e-mail, 31.03.2011 05:53 John Thralls, only one XC-99 was ever built, and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has it now. NMUSAF plans to restore it, at least externally. reply | | Donaldwhite, e-mail, 23.03.2011 22:24 I remember the c-99 being at Dover AFB IN 56 OR 57 As best i can recall it was still there when i got out of AF
in Nov.57.Not shure when they took it back to Kelly.
Don White . reply | |
| | Frank Albrecht, e-mail, 20.02.2011 17:42 I was ststion at Elmendorf AFB when I seen this monster it took 3 days to onload the pay load,never seen it again. reply | | Edward Smith, e-mail, 15.02.2011 03:23 What a Plane! I was stationed at Keflavik Iceland in 1954 and used to see this wonder when she came in. I took many pics of her as she sat eating up cargo like a piranah. It reminded me of an oversized C-124. I hope they do actually restore it. reply | | Wilber Rea, e-mail, 14.02.2011 21:12 I was stationed at USMCAS El Toro Ca. in 1956 and was on my way to the PX one Sat. morning when this giant shadow came over the street and I knew that it was not a cloud as the day was cloudless and when I looked up I saw this hugh monster and I thought Ol boy You can't come in here as this is a fighter base. I went on in the Px and did not hear any crash crew sirens so I assumed that she had go on. When I returned to the barracks my buddy Chester A. Ball said the hugh bird was setting behind the PX. We wen over and did a self guided tour for about two hrs. On Monday 14 WWI fighter aircraft in crates was placed aboard and flown to NAS Pensacola where they were reassembled and used in the filming of Wings of Eagles staring John Wayne. reply | | VINCE TALLUTO, e-mail, 27.01.2011 04:44 I WAS STATIONED AT BIGGS AFB ELPASO TX FROM 55 TO 57
I DID SEE THIS AIRPLANE IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND ----
IT REALY WAS SOMETHING---BEAUTIFUL reply | | Dr. Roger G. Miller, AF/HOH, e-mail, 05.01.2011 15:39 My father, Charles O. Miller, was an industrial engineer at Kelly Field from 1953 through 1978 and often took my brother and me to Kelly during the 1950s. The XC-99 was a major attraction for us either on the runway or in the air. I remember walking out the door in the vertical fin onto the stabilizer when I was about twelve or so. I watched it deteriorate during visits home to San Antronio until well after 2000, and saw it last in June 2010 when I lectured in the History of Airpower Course at the National Musum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio. It is still in several huge pieces in preparation for restoration, which will be a monumental undertaking. reply | | Robert E. Butler, e-mail, 19.10.2010 02:26 I was at Kelly AFB in summer 1955 as an Air Force ROTC cadet from Mississippi State College /University when they loaded 225 of us cadets and crew on the last remaining XC-99 for a flight to Carswell AFB where we were treated to a plant tour and lunch.I was seated in the bottom row of seats where I could look down and see the runway. Pilots backed up the plane to the very end of the Kelly runway since it was a very hot July day. They told us that it was an Air Force record flight for the largest number of people onboard at that time! I visited Kelly several years ago to find the XC-99 in terrible shape. I have always wished it could be placed at Wright Pat. I am overjoyed to read that it is happening. I fly my homebuilt RV-6A and plan to tour Wright Pat soon and looking forward to seeing the old bird that very few people ever heard of. reply |
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