First photo of completed Convair XC-99 at San Diego, Calif. reveals mammoth fuselage with a capacity of two ordinary freight carloads. Giant 139-ton craft carries 21,116 gals. fuel for 10,000-mile range. It can carry 50 tons of cargo, 200 passengers, 400 troops or 335 litter patients over a 2,000-mile range at 200 miles per hour. Top speed is 330 mph. at 30,000 ft., 250 mph. at sea level. It requires 5,000 ft. for full-load take-off and only a few military fields can support its single main gear wheel loads. Only one to be built, it will make its first takeoff flight before Thanksgiving. Bristol Barbazon I and XC-99 are almost identical in specification. (Air Force photo) .
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Aviation Week | November 17, 1947
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