Convair C-131 Samaritan

The Convair C‑131 Samaritan was a twin‑engine transport aircraft developed by Convair in the late 1940s as a military derivative of the civilian Convair 240 series. First flown in 1949, the C‑131 entered service with the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, where it performed a variety of roles including passenger and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and instrument‑training. Its all‑metal, low‑wing design featured tricycle landing gear, two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 radial engines delivering 2,000 horsepower each, and a spacious cabin that could be quickly reconfigured for troops, equipment, or stretchers, making it a versatile workhorse during the Korean and early Vietnam conflicts.

Key features included retractable flaps, a pressurized interior for high‑altitude flight, and a robust air‑frame that tolerated rough field operations. The C‑131’s reliability and ease of maintenance extended its service life, with many airframes later converted into civilian airliners or used for research and testing. In aviation history, the Samaritan bridged the gap between piston‑engine transports and the jet‑powered logistics fleet, demonstrating the adaptability of the Convair 240 platform and influencing the design philosophy of subsequent tactical airlifters.

Convair

Convair C-131 Samaritan

Classification

Design & Classification