Convair XP5Y: The Turboprop Flying Boat's Untold Story & Fate
Have you ever wondered about the aircraft that dared to defy conventional design, pushing the boundaries of aviation technology? The Convair XP5Y, a pioneering turboprop flying boat, stands as a testament to innovation, even though its journey was ultimately cut short.
In the post-World War II era, the United States Navy recognized the potential of turboprop engines to revolutionize flying boat performance. This led to a 1945 requirement for a new long-range patrol flying boat, a challenge that Convair eagerly accepted. The result was the XP5Y, a design that promised to combine the endurance of a flying boat with the speed and efficiency of turboprop propulsion. The unveiling of this ambitious project marked a significant moment in aviation history, showcasing what was then the world's first turboprop-powered flying boat.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Name | Convair XP5Y-1 Tradewind |
| Type | Long-Range Patrol Flying Boat |
| Manufacturer | Convair (Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation) |
| Designed In | United States |
| Year of Design | Late 1940s (In response to a 1945 US Navy requirement) |
| First Flight | April 18, 1950, San Diego, California |
| Engine Type | Four Allison XT40-A-4 turboprop engines |
| Power Output | 5,250 hp (3,915 kW) each |
| Wingspan | 145 ft 9 in (44.42 m) |
| Length | 131 ft 6 in (40.08 m) |
| Height | 50 ft 1 in (15.27 m) |
| Empty Weight | 82,600 lb (37,467 kg) |
| Max. Takeoff Weight | 140,000 lb (63,503 kg) |
| Maximum Speed | 350 mph (563 km/h, 304 knots) |
| Range | Over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) estimated |
| Endurance Record | 8 hours, 6 minutes (Turboprop endurance record established in August 1950) |
| Crew | 10 |
| Armament | Planned: Two 20 mm cannons in nose turret, eight 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in side blisters, up to 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) of bombs or depth charges |
| Fate | Prototype only; design reworked into the R3Y Tradewind transport aircraft |
| Significant Achievement | World's first turboprop-powered flying boat |
| Related Design | Convair R3Y Tradewind (transport variant) |
| Further Reading | San Diego Air & Space Museum |
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Convair XP5Y 1 flying boat during its maiden flight on 17 May 1950
The Short, Storied History of the Convair XP5Y/R3Y Tradewind — The
Convair XP5Y 1 flying boat prototype makes its first flight from San
