F-0692 Video: A Report on the Convair R3Y Tradewind

Convair Film from 1954
From the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum www.sandiegoair... Please do not use without permission

[@paultiffanyrutherford5898]

Convair made amazing craft

[@phayzyre1052]

I just love these old films from the 1950's. Thanks for posting!

[@13stalag13]

Volume on this is so low, I can barely hear it at full volume.

[@paultiffanyrutherford5898]

GD,great company

[@MrFIZZYMann]

a Floating C-130 Hercules that carries 22 Tons. Now That's Useful !

[@norbertcamilleri2938]

Had a short service life due to problematic Allison T-40 engine/propeller configuration.

[@scootergeorge9576]

This powerplant also doomed the Douglas A-2D Skyshark. In one Skyshark flight, the propeller and reduction gearbox departed the aircraft.

[@Rickster5176]

Why did the US Navy stop using flying boats?

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

They were really beauties.

[@gregriddle5163]

I think it was the same thing with other aircraft from the 50s, the Jet engine was being refined to where it was leading the way in efficiency on fuel less repair etc. These wonderful craft just got lost in the mix.

[@danbenson7587]

During WW2 many airbases were built on Pacific islands. Now no Need for seaplanes. Though the vid depicts servicing on the water, this is bit of a stretch. Seaplanes need beaching gear and concrete ramps for serious servicing. But since the 50s, the US has abandoned Pacific bases, maybe the Tradewind’s time will come again.

[@combatdoc21]

@@gregriddle5163 : Their are few military forces that still use flying boats for their military use such as Japanese Defense Force and the Russian Navy.

[@isaaccowan5316]

Corrosion and rivet popping from landings and take offs in salt water and wave action in oceans.

[@andrewgordon235]

Those old designers were smart they really built those aircraft with a lot of forethought. Today you have aircraft designs that make no sense like the V22 osprey or it's successor the V280. It has one weapon a M134 mini gun used as a belly gun kind of like the ball turret gunners on B29s in World War 2. The Sikorsky Raider is a better design but the government never requested it so they may not get to build it.

[@erikhertzer8434]

6:00: this clip is likely the inspiration for the kit box art on the old Revell model kit from the 50’s...

[@orangelion03]

Many years ago, I built that kit into a "what if" fire bomber, like how the big Mars flying boats were used.

[@MonkPetite]

An awesome concept. Unfortunately short lived.

[@CNCAddict]

I hope there is a resurgence of large seaplanes in our future. The world would be a better place with them!

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Looks like a C-133 in a way

[@andrewcarlson3486]

The first turboprop flying boat

[@erikhertzer8434]

A shame the engines were its Achilles heal...otherwise this aircraft likely may have had a reasonable service life. It actually had 8 turbine engines, paired into 4 nacelles.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

The yanks were (are) trash at making aircraft, their rubbish being foisted upon us by dint of sheer military supremacy. If you really want successful contra-rotating turboprops, look for British or Soviet technology.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

Probe & Drogue refuelling, nicked from the Brits, immensely superior to the clumsy yankee boom......

[@marinepete9148]

Very early turboshafts putting out a great amount of power. Pushed the envelop too far. Lessons learned led to the T-56 the most successful Turboprop ever still flying over 60 years later. The drogue & boom is a major improvement over the guy reaching up for a fuel hose method in the 1920's. America pioneered in flight refueling.

[@henrysmith7276]

Think if we had this plane in 1939....Think of how different the Pacific would have been.

[@oscaris1ru12]

you are to be congratulated for the very successful effort this is. I enjoyed it immensely and will return from time to time to renew my own interest. thank you and congratulations

[@hertzair1186]

Great plane, bad engine setup (coupled engine transmission failures) ended it....

[@hertzair1186]

With better reliable engines, it likely would have been put into at least limited production

[@savagecub]

Narrator sounds like Peter Graves.