BT-13 Valiant (commonly the "Vibrator")
Nice inflight view of a BT-13 "Vibrator". This photo is of sn 40-1190, The 300th BT-13 built, last of the first batch. B&W, about 104K, added 07/20/08.

Beautiful inflight view of a BT-13A "Vibrator". Although officially named the "Valiant" it was more commonly called the "Vibrator." This photo is of sn 41-22172. Lettering near front cockpit says the aircraft is from Minter Field. B&W, about 49K. added 09/14/97.

Inflight view of a BT-13A "Vibrator". This photo is of sn 41-9649. B&W, about 112K, added 02/06/10.

B-24 Liberator and C-87 Liberator Express
A nice color inflight view of B-24A Liberator. This is serial number 40-2369, the first production B-24. Large American flags painted on the nose and on the top of the fuselage. About 52K, added 11/29/98.

Ground view of the C-87 Liberator Express, the cargo version of the B-24 Liberator bomber. About 66K, added 06/09/99, rescanned and updated 12/29/07.

Ground view of the C-87 Liberator Express, this view shows left rear side of the C-87. Added 10/26/08 about 125K.

Very nice inflight view of C-87 Liberator Express, serial number 44-52987, the last C-87 built. About 158K, added 09/17/08.

Consolidated Model 39 Liberator-Liner
An inflight side view of the first Consolidated Model 39 Liberator-Liner. This is Navy Bureau number 09803. About 109K, added 10/17/07.

An inflight view of Consolidated Model 39 Liberator-Liner. Toward the end of World War II Consolidated used the wings of a B-24, the tail of a PB4Y-2 Privateer, and built an entirely new fuselage to create this special built freighter. Consolidated built just two of these aircraft. That shown is NX30039 in the livery of American Airlines who flew this airplane for about 3 months. Shortly afterward this aircraft, as well as the second example registered NX3939, were scrapped as no interest was shown by the airlines, particularly since many surplus transports were becoming available at very low cost. This aircraft is also identified as the Convair model 104. About 119K, added 07/10/04.

Ground view of the Consolidated Model 39 Liberator-Liner. Two model 39 Liberator-Liner's were built, this image has a different paint schem than I've seen before. About 79K, added 05/29/05.

Consolidated B-32 Dominator
B32 with early short B29 type vertical stabilizer and rudder. One of only two B32's to use this tail configuration. Via Mark Natola. About 22K, added 04/01/98.

XB-32 with later style Single Fin and rudder. Inflight view of serial 41-18336. This is the third B-32 airplane built. About 40K.

Inflight side view of B32-1-CF 42-108471 This is the first production bomber and shown with turrets. Via Mark Natola. About 32K, added 04/01/98.

Larger scale view of B-32-1-CF serial number 42-108471. This airplane is the fourth built, in combat configuration. B&W, about 70K, added 01/01/10.

B-32-1-CF 42-108472 This is the second production B-32 built. Note the single rudder trim tab of the -1-CF aircraft. This aircraft had the nose gear collaspe on its delivery flight to the USAAF. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair in the landing accident. B&W, about 63K, added 8/12/04.

TB-32 Serial Number 42-108522. The TB-32's lacked the gun turrets of the bombardment aircraft. Except for the missing turrets this photo is representative of the few combat aircraft built. A very nice inflight view, about 28K.

Inflight view of a TB-32, unfortunately I cannot see the serial number on the photograph. About 31K, added 06/28/02.

Last of the B32's, believed to be the last B32. Eventually scrapped. Via Mark Natola, about 32K, added 04/01/98.

Consolidated B-36 Peacemaker
View of an early B-36B Peacemaker at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas. This is the first production version of the B-36 before the jet engines were added. Two aircraft can be seen in this image. My thanks to homepage viewer Steve Moseley for sending me this image. About 59K, added 7/5/99.

A beautiful Convair RB-36D In-flight view of a Convair RB-36D Peacemaker. The view is 1/2 front, right side, slightly above, over clouds, over Carswell AFB, Fort Worth. B&W, about 67K. Originally added 08/17/00, rescanned to higher resolution 11/23/07.

Same Convair RB-36D In-flight Convair RB-36D Peacemaker. The view is 1/2 front, right side, slightly above, over clouds. About 38K.

Yet another view of RB-36D 49-2688, this time a side view from slightly above. About 50K, added 8/17/00.

Convair RB-36D this is the same airplane, 49-2688, but from slightly below. USAF photo. About 26K, added 10/29/97.

Convair B-36D 44-92095, this airplane was originally built as a B-36B, and modified into a B-36D with the jet engines. A fine inflight view scanned to a higher resolution. B&W, about 201K, added 10/24/11.

Convair RB-36E this airplane, serial number 44-92020, was built as a B-36A and later modified to the RB-36E configuration shown here. Photo by Warren M. Bodie via the Frederick G. Freeman collection. About 28K, added 10/29/97.

An Aerial view of the Convair plant during B36 production. Taken during the height of B-36 production, also shown are both YB-60 aircraft, one at the middle right, the other almost in the center between hangars. My thanks to Patrick Gallagher, a long time General Dynamics, now Lockheed-Martin, employee for this image. About 197K, added 11/03/06.

Consolidated Vultee XB-46
Inflight view of the Consolidated Vultee XB46 Bomber. This airplane is sn 45-59582. Appears to be over the Mojave Desert near El Mirage dry lake. About 86K, added 11/2/98.

A second inflight view of the Consolidated Vultee XB46 Bomber. This is the only XB46 built, sn 45-59582. About 39K, added 11/2/98.

"General Dynamics" WB-57F (Modified Martin Canbera)
WB-57F 63-13502 Inflight - Beautiful view. Image set to 509x386 pixels for viewing on standard 640x480 resolution screens. Consolidated (General Dynamics) modified Martin RB-57D serial number 53-3970 to build this airplane. Although it started as a RB-57D, it is an almost entirely new airplane. About 58K. My thanks to Don Pyeatt and Prentiss Hutcheson for making this photo available. Added 09/14/97. Also available is another image of the same photograph, this is a WB-57F in High Resolution for more detail.  About 504K, Added 5/29/05.

Convair B-58 Hustler
Convair B-58 Hustler, a beautiful inflight view of serial number 60-118. About 46K, added 11/2/98.

Consolidated YB-60 Jet Peacemaker
Close up of the YB-60 Nose. This photo shows the unusual weights added to the nose gear when fuel tanks were enpty. My thanks to Don Pyeatt and Prentiss Hutcheson for providing the print. About 40K, added 09/7/97.

Consolidated YB-60. Seen at Fort Worth, believed to be the first airplane 49-2676. My thanks to Don Pyeatt for sending me the photograph. About 35K, added 08/18/97.

Consolidated YB-60 Inflight. 49-2676 on its first publicly released flight view (could not tell from the press release if this was the first flight). My thanks to Don Pyeatt and Prentiss Hutcheson for providing the print. About 46K, added 09/14/97.

Consolidated YB-60 Inflight side view. Two YB-60's were built, this airplane, USAF serial number 49-2676, was the only airplane flown. About 102K, added 06/21/12.

Consoldiated YB-60 from Above clearly showing the wing plan of airplane number 1, 49-2676. My thanks to Don Pyeatt and Prentiss Hutcheson for providing the print. About 61K, added 09/14/97.

XC-99 Cargo version of the B-36
Some of the photo's of the XC-99 were
taken August 1997 by David Talley
Color ground view of the Consolidated XC-99. Color images during the 1940's are unusual. Here is a very nice color side view of the XC-99, probably at the time of its first flight. Note the large number of people watching, most likely at San Diego, California. My thanks to Bob Trennert for sending this image.  About 74K, added 11/04/06.

Consolidated XC-99 A very nice right side view in flight. This is the only XC-99 built, a derivative of the B-36. Serial number is 43-52436. This is a factory photo taken early in the career of the XC-99, about 1949, as it does not have radar nose installed later in its life. Fairly high resolution, very nice inflight view, about 115K, added 3/27/04.

NOVEMBER 2006 UPDATE - the USAF National Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB is in the process of restoring the XC-99. As you might imagine this is a massive undertaking. To accomplish this huge restoration the XC-99 is being dismantled and shipped to Ohio. April Hight took this November 2006 image of the XC-99 Well into the Dismantling stage, and I thank her for sending it to me. About 154K, added 11/01/06.

Consolidated XC-99 A 1/2 Right Rear overview. This is the only XC-99 built, a derivative of the B-36. Serial number is 43-52436. My Thanks to David Talley for sending me the photograph, taken 8/97. About 52K, added 9/14/97.

Consolidated XC-99 Seen from the rear. This XC-99 was a cargo derivative of the B-36. Only one XC-99 was built, 43-52436. My thanks to David Talley for sending me the photograph, taken 8/97. About 37K, updated 9/14/97.

XC-99, this is another 1/2 right rear view, closer than the view above. My thanks to David Talley for sending me the photograph, taken 8/97. About 41K, added 9/14/97.

XC-99 Propeller, this view shows a close up of one of the six pusher propellers used on the XC-99. My thanks to My thanks to David Talley for sending this photograph, taken 8/97, about 38K, added 9/14/97.

XC-99 inflight. this view shows the XC-99 during its work days, before the radar was added to the nose. Quite a contrast to the deteriorated condition it is now. Via My thanks to Tim Barber, About 34K, added 4/1/98.

Stinson (Consolidated Vultee) Model 108 Voyager
and Flying Station Wagon
Several images of Stinson Airplanes. This link takes you to my Stinson photo page. Several Stinson's are available. Added 01/01/02, updated often.

Stinson (Consolidated Vultee) L-5 Sentinel
Ground view of a Stinson L-5 Sentinel. There is no serial number visible, however examination of the print shows this airplane has full span leading edge slots on the wings. Only the prototype, civil registration NX27772, had full span slots. These long slots caused a big problem trying to recover from spins, and they were shortened to half span on this airplane, and all subsequent L-5 Sentinels. B&W, about 53K, Added 06/28/00, Updated (rescanned) 06/01/02.

Nice ground view of Stinson L-5 Sentinel 42-????2. B&W, about 108K, Added 07/20/08.

Very nice in flight view of Stinson L-5 Sentinel 42-14803. This is the fifth Stinson L-5 built. B&W, about 98K, Added 10/14/07.

Consolidated Stinson L-5E Sentinel Ground view of sn 44-17696. Shows doors open, wood prop. About 27K, added 9/30/97.

Stinson (Consolidated Vultee) L-13
Ground view of the First Stinson XL-13 serial number 45-58708. The first two XL-13 aircraft were built at the Stinson Wayne, Michigan facility. Follow on production occurred at the Convair San Diego facility. B&W, about 102K, added 01/01/10.

Inflight view of the first production Stinson (Consolidated Vultee, later Convair) L-13A serial number 46-068. The L-13 was designed by Stinson at their Wayne, Michigan facility. Two prototypes were built and flown by Stinson at Wayne, MI. With the sale of the Stinson division to Piper in late 1948, Consolidated Vultee kept the rights to the L-13, and put it into production at the San Diego, California, Convair plant. Eventually 300 L-13's were built. B&W, about 51K, added 06/28/02.

Second inflight view of the First Stinson Production L-13A serial number 46-068. This view shows the right side of the airplane. B&W, about 94K, added 11/13/11.

Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat
Very nice inflight view of the first Consolidated XPBY-1. Black and White photo about 139K in size, added 09/17/08.

Inflight view of a PBY-5 Catalina. This is the flying boat version (not the amphibian -5A). Little in the way of markings exist. About 74K, originally added 01/29/99, rescanned to higher resolution 11/23/07.

Interior view showing a Consolidated PBY Instrument Panel. Color, about 180k in size. Added 11/18/05.

Inflight view of a PBY-5A Catalina. This is the amphibian -5A. Note all the antennas for the early radar. About 69K, added 11/23/07.

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado four engine flying boat
Consolidated PB2Y-2 Ifnlight. This was the first production airplane, bureau number 1633, delivered to the Navy December 31, 1940. Non camoflauged. B&W, about 191K, added 02/06/10.

Consolidated PB2Y-2 Ifnlight from the rear. This airplane was modified after leaving the factory to have the upper waist gun position faired over. B&W, about 200K, added 08/22/12.

Consolidated PB2Y-3 Ifnlight. Believe this view is with the Coronado above San Diego. Note the pilot's side window is open. B&W, about 107K, added 01/01/01, rescanned to higher resolution 02/01/07.

Consolidated PB2Y-3 Taxiing on the water. Nose has the words "Contract Operation." Photo taken Dec. 1944, official U.S. Navy Photograph. Serial Number 7078. About 98K, added 03/19/97, rescanned to higher resolution 02/01/07.

Consolidated PB2Y-4 Taking off from the water. Black and White photo about 115K in size, JPG format, added 01/03/97, rescanned to higher resolution 02/01/07.

Consolidated PB2Y-5 Inflight Inflight view of Consolidated PB2Y-5 Coronado, bureau number 7179. The shot was taken over a lake. About 90k in size, JPG format. Added 01/03/97, rescanned to higher resolution 02/01/07.

Consolidated PB2Y-5H JATO Take Off just lifting off the water. This ambulance version has the latest type radome. About 87K, added 03/21/97, rescanned to higher resolution 02/01/07.

Convair T-29 Flying Classroom
Convair T-29A Flying Classroom. Serial number 49-1936, inflight view shows clearly the 4 astrodomes and multitude of antennas. B&W, about 40K, added 9/21/98.

Convair T-29B Flying Classroom Serial number 51-5118, inflight view similar to the "A" model above. B&W, about 55K, added 12/27/98.

Convair 240 - 340 - 440
Ground side view of Convair 240, registered to American Airlines, NC94219, a model 240-0, named Flagship Newark, this is construction number 33, delivered March 9, 1948. B&W, about 70K. Added 04/01/12.

Inflight view of Convair 340, from below registered to United Airlines, N73102, a model 340-31. This was the first Convair 340 for United. B&W, about 130K, added 07/20/08.

Second inflight view of Convair 340, from above registered to United Airlines, N73102, a model 340-31. This was the first Convair 340 for United. B&W, about 123K, added 10/18/09.

Here is another, most unusual view of Convair 340 N73102 after a forced landing. This event occurred only a couple miles from my home in Saugus, California on December 30, 1964. United scheduled this aircraft to fly a non stop flight from Freseno Air Terminal (FAT), to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a distance of 209 statue miles, 181 nautical miles. While over the Santa Clarita Valley, the town of Saugus, both engines stopped. The United pilot did an excellent job of making a dead stick landing, gear up, in an onion field in Saugus, CA. None of the 43 passengers, or 4 crew were injured. United mechanics hoisted the airplane, lowered the landing gear, replaced the propellers and some other parts. A United Airlines pilot made the take off from the onion field, flew the airplane gear down to San Francisco for in depth mechanical analysis of the ship.

Cause of both engines stopping (the engines didn't fail) was fuel starvation. Talking with a retired American Airlines pilot who knew the United captain, he told me the crew encountered a fuel pump problem at Fresno. To overcome this the crew started the engine with the problem fuel pump using fuel cross feed from the working engine. Fuel cross feed allows an engine with a good fuel pump to send fuel to the opposite engine. Problem here, according to the American Airlines pilot, was the United crew failed to turn OFF the cross feed after the second engine stated. So both engines fed off the same fuel tank. With both engines feeding from one tank the engines quit about 35 miles north of their intended destinaion. Today that onion field no longer exists, houses now occupy the fields where onions once grew.

UPDATE - John Wade, son of United Captain Wade who was the pilot, provided corrections and additional information. My earlier versions incorrectly said Bakersfield was the origin of the flight, actually it was Fresno Air Terminal about 100 miles north of Bakersfield. Second, and very important, was at the time there was an error in the flight manual about crossfeed operation. "He was operating the x-feed system in line with how they were trained. Both training and maintenance erroneously thought that the Convair, like the DC-6, had a check valve that prevented transferring fuel from tank to tank. Even the flight manual at the time was wrong. Dad essentially got led into a trap." John Wade also believes the aircraft landed in a beet field, which may be correct, however I have left it onion field based on living there.

"Some more details on the landing, he was IFR, ATC initially misidentified him and he had the situational awareness not to panic and take the first heading they gave him. Good thing as he would have hit a mountain while still in the clouds. He popped out of the clouds in a valley, did a 180 to line up with the beet field and on short "final," had to fly under some power lines to make the partial flap, gear up landing. On a humorous note, after they deplaned an elderly woman asked Dad if this meant she would miss her connection in LAX!"

Bottom line is Captain Wade showed considerable airmanship in a fine off airport landing, especially so with no injuries to passengers or crew. The passenger who asked if she would miss her connection at LAX gives a good indication that the passengers felt he did an excellent job. Local television interviewing other passengers give the same view from the passengers. Updated 01/08/12.

UPDATE - Jim Mosley, lived in the area and actually witnessed the forced landing. Mosley indicates there are some errors with my explanation. First the landing was made in a carrot field (Wemaster note - when I moved to the area a few years after the incident, both carrots and onions were major crops in the area), and second Mosley indicated the airplane didn't land under any electrical wires. Mosley's father was the manager of the New Hall ranch. He got a caterpillar and flatbed trailer and brought all the passengers to their home. United airlines bought us new carpet after that event, the mud was terrible. Mosley also witnessed the takeoff, which although a shorter runway than normal, did clear the power lines by a good margin. Updated 05/28/12.

I'm still looking for a photograph of the take off. Local schools let out to view the takeoff. All B&W, about 130K, 123K and 161K respectively, added 07/20/08, last updated 05/28/12.