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Description
| Manufacturer: | Convair | |
| Base model: | C-131 | |
| Designation: | C-131 | |
| Version: | H | |
| Nickname: | Samaritan | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| See Also: | ||
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Known serial numbers
Recent comments by our visitors
| john simpson helotes, TX | Yes there was a Presidential Seal, the same type that was used on AF 2. I flew the Convairs from Jul 69 to Jun 76 as an FE. Flew several AF 2 missions.
There were official seals from the President down to 1 star GO's. However 99% of the missions were 4 stars and above. AF 54-2815 (the one that flew White House missions) now is used as a flying forest fire fighting tanker in Cananda. 01/24/2016 @ 17:58 [ref: 69447] |
| Steven Imrisek Dover, PA | LOVED flying that old bird, lot of fun, great RON's and some good people. Several tours in both 52 and 48, last one ended in 1989 and I still remember that dreadful day and the men of 817 and Dothan, Al. 05/07/2015 @ 18:59 [ref: 69078] |
| Steven Imrisek Dover, PA | LOVED flying that old bird, lot of fun, great RON's and some good people. Several tours in both 52 and 48, last one ended in 1989 and I still remember that dreadful day and the men of 817 and Dothan, Al. 05/07/2015 @ 18:59 [ref: 69077] |
| John J. Giles Salem, VA | There were four Convairs converted to VC131H's by the Air Force. They were 54-2815, 54-2816, 54-2817 and 55-0299. I had the pleasure of flying on them as an FE and assisted in the training program when they were turned over to the ANG at Andrews AFB in 1977.I'm included in the photos submitted by Ronald Weight. 03/31/2015 @ 14:58 [ref: 69008] |
| Gregg Arrington Richmond, VA | I served at VR-48 as an Aviation Electrician's Mate from 88-91. I got there not long after the tragic crash. The last year or so was a real mess when the squadron retired the two remaining C-131Hs. One of them went to the State Department and at some point was being used in the drug wars. I remember a pilot bringing in a newspaper article in the Washington Post about the drug wars and there was a picture of our plane with some commandos boarding! The other went to a museum in Detroit, as it was the aircraft which used to transport LBJ. The buzz was that we were to get Gulfstreams, but military budget decisions kept us in hiatus. At first we found all kinds of training to keep us busy, then we started focusing on exercising (I learned to play racquetball at the base gym), ping pong tournaments in our empty hanger, etc. Eventually, the other squadrons became jealous of our lack of workload and all of us active duty reservists (TARs)were sent to other squadrons or (as in my case) sent to assist with naval barracks duty such as cleaning, painting, laundry duty at BOQ and BEQ for the transients. I even did base cleanup riding around in a golf cart picking up trash. An interesting moment in my short naval career did occur as a result, however; One day in 1991 I was asked to report to an Airforce hanger to set up chairs for a presentation. I think it was for some high ranking officers and Washington politicians. This was highly unusual as all of our work centered on the Naval side of the base. I had to go through some security points before entering the hangar and was shocked to see the most beautiful, sleek, fighter aircraft I'd ever laid eyes on. Some Airforce puke with an M-16 told me to not stare at it, but some guy in civilian clothes from Lockheed Martin standing by the plane saw my look of astonishment and amazement and waved me over to him. The guard allowed me past and the guy explained that he was one of the engineer/designers of this aircraft with XF-22 painted on the tail. He spent a few minutes describing the vectored thrust, the stealth characteristics, and performance characteristics. He explained that it had only been flown over Nevada, and that the aircraft had been shipped in boxes and hand assembled in the hangar for the presentation. To top it all off, he handed me a glossy 8x10 of the plane in flight over the nevada desert.
When I left in September of 1991, VR-48 still was a squadron without aircraft. Though my time working with the C-131H aircraft at VR-48 was brief, I am proud to have served with my shipmates there and to have worked on an aircraft that transported so many important historical figures. It saddens me that VR-48 is now in the history books. 12/30/2013 @ 20:01 [ref: 68270] |
| Gregg Arrington Richmond, VA | I served at VR-48 as an Aviation Electrician's Mate from 88-91. I got there not long after the tragic crash. The last year or so was a real mess when the squadron retired the two remaining C-131Hs. One of them went to the State Department and at some point was being used in the drug wars. I remember a pilot bringing in a newspaper article in the Washington Post about the drug wars and there was a picture of our plane with some commandos boarding! The other went to a museum in Detroit, as it was the aircraft which used to transport LBJ. The buzz was that we were to get Gulfstreams, but military budget decisions kept us in hiatus. At first we found all kinds of training to keep us busy, then we started focusing on exercising (I learned to play racquetball at the base gym), ping pong tournaments in our empty hanger, etc. Eventually, the other squadrons became jealous of our lack of workload and all of us active duty reservists (TARs)were sent to other squadrons or (as in my case) sent to assist with naval barracks duty such as cleaning, painting, laundry duty at BOQ and BEQ for the transients. I even did base cleanup riding around in a golf cart picking up trash. An interesting moment in my short naval career did occur as a result, however; One day in 1991 I was asked to report to an Airforce hanger to set up chairs for a presentation. I think it was for some high ranking officers and Washington politicians. This was highly unusual as all of our work centered on the Naval side of the base. I had to go through some security points before entering the hangar and was shocked to see the most beautiful, sleek, fighter aircraft I'd ever laid eyes on. Some Airforce puke with an M-16 told me to not stare at it, but some guy in civilian clothes from Lockheed Martin standing by the plane saw my look of astonishment and amazement and waved me over to him. The guard allowed me past and the guy explained that he was one of the engineer/designers of this aircraft with XF-22 painted on the tail. He spent a few minutes describing the vectored thrust, the stealth characteristics, and performance characteristics. He explained that it had only been flown over Nevada, and that the aircraft had been shipped in boxes and hand assembled in the hangar for the presentation. To top it all off, he handed me a glossy 8x10 of the plane in flight over the nevada desert.
When I left in September of 1991, VR-48 still was a squadron without aircraft. Though my time working with the C-131H aircraft at VR-48 was brief, I am proud to have served with my shipmates there and to have worked on an aircraft that transported so many important historical figures. It saddens me that VR-48 is now in the history books. 12/30/2013 @ 20:01 [ref: 68269] |
| John Evanich III Stratford, CT | We're planning to create a profile of 2815 when it served as 'Air Force One' for President Nixon on October 27-28 1972.e are no known photos but a photo of VP Ford's 2817 had a small VP Flag behind the cockpit window. Wondering if the Presidential Seal might have been carried in that way or possibly the normal location on the nose might have been used? Since there are no photos, it's all speculation. Does anyone that worked on the (3) VC-131H's recall if how the VP Flag was applied? Appears to be inside a small frame, like Marine One?
Thanks! John Evanich III 07/22/2013 @ 07:20 [ref: 67958] |
| Paul Chesney , VA | I remember all the Navy personal who have so far posted here with fondness. I'm not sure how many of you know this but VR-48 is DECOMMISSIONING in early September (not sure the date) They have a facebook page for more information. 07/25/2012 @ 08:38 [ref: 63874] |
| jack hornberger Wilmington, IL | Crewed on 027 ( Myazziz Dragon) out of NAF Andrews from March 1963 through Jan 1965. Lots of VIP trips. Flew with Boger, would enjoy contact with any of guys from ADMIN A/C. 07/11/2012 @ 15:26 [ref: 63153] |
| Dianne Hays Lawrenceburg, TN | To my knowledge, I was the first female attached to VR-48, 1982-1984, as a Yeoman. It was the most delightful duty assignment I had. Many of the squadron stood watch at the "head" for me until proper accomodations could be made. Thanks to the parachute riggers I was issued a flight suit and a flight jacket which read YN1 - Flight Crew - raising a few eyebrows when we landed at Hill AFB. I have so many, many fond memories of my time with the squadron - a truly phenomonal group of guys. 04/30/2012 @ 20:15 [ref: 56625] |
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