will we see a T-29/C-131 at airshows?

[Nathan]

I bought a book on the T-29/C-131. And just curious if there is a possiblity of ever seeing one on the airshow circuit in the U.S. someday?

[Mike]

I'd say unlikely. There does seem to be an unhealthy obsession with B-25s in the US, to the detriment of other twins. How many B-23s, C-46s, PBYs, or even A-26s do you see as regular airshow performers?

[CAPFlyer]

There was a VC-131 flying the circuit and was operated for a short time by the Commemorative Air Force. Dan Newcomb can speak more to the operations specifically as his Wing was the one involved, but my understanding was that once they got it they were unable to really get any bookings for the aircraft and they were unable to sell rides in it, making it impossible to fund its operation. As the CV-240/340/440 costs approx. $2500/hr to operate in airline operations, flying it 1/12 of what it'd be flown for an airline means it's a very expensive airplane to fly if you can't offset costs with appearance fees/fuel allotments or fly passengers on rides. It was/is a beautiful plane though with a full flag officer interior.

[DC3R4DC47]

its a shame,the sound of 2 PW2800's water injected at take off MP is a joyful noise, i was blessed to fly the CV340 for 2 and a 1/2 years in the pursuit of aerial commerce, what a wonderful airplane !!!

[gary1954]

There was a VC-131 flying the circuit and was operated for a short time by the Commemorative Air Force. Dan Newcomb can speak more to the operations specifically as his Wing was the one involved, but my understanding was that once they got it they were unable to really get any bookings for the aircraft and they were unable to sell rides in it, making it impossible to fund its operation. As the CV-240/340/440 costs approx. $2500/hr to operate in airline operations, flying it 1/12 of what it'd be flown for an airline means it's a very expensive airplane to fly if you can't offset costs with appearance fees/fuel allotments or fly passengers on rides. It was/is a beautiful plane though with a full flag officer interior.

Where is this plane currently based and what kind of shape is she in now

[b747cf]

Here is one that was on the circuit at Lakeland.



Mark Fidler

[WallyB]

Here is one that was on the circuit at Lakeland.

Same one - N131CW. Now part of Hans Lauridsens' collection but I don't know where it is. CofA expired last year.

[JohnB]

My father (a 15th AF B-17 pilot) flew a VT-29 when it was a base hack in the 60s. He said it was his favorite.

[Liberator]

HARS in Australia is restoring in Arizona at moment a ex USAF C-131 i recall, to fly as a civilian Convair airliner.

I havent heard much about it for 2yrs so dont know what is the go, it may not get as much attention from many people around the world, because it doesnt have a popular public image as does a warbird....?

So you may see one down under very soon if lucky.

[Chief]

The VC131 that we had for a short period at the CAF was one of our Presidential Fleet aircraft when I was with the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB. It flew in our 99th MASq.

We had several VC131's. We had three of the VC131's converted to VC131H's, (Convair 580's) and transferred the remaining VC131's to the 1001st Air Base Wing (the Host Wing at Andrews AFB at the time). The VC131 that we had at the CAF was one that we transferred to the 1001st ABW