I was stationed at Walker AFB 40 Bomb Sqdn in 1954. We took our B36 to Kelly for weight and balance,had engine trouble en route so took a few days at Kelly working on the engine. While there the C99 came in, she causes much excitement while there. After a day or so lay over she is ready to go again. Many airmen are gathered on the ramp and in the hangar beneath the control tower awaiting take off. A permanent party M/SGT there and I were in conversation when the engines started,she taxied out,made her pre flight engine run up and rolled onto the runway. I had earlier ask the Sgt if she was taking off and was told yes ,to Puerto Rico. I pointed out the rudder locks were still installed. The Sgt gave a short expletive and ran up the stairs I assume to the tower.Meanwhile the 99 was lined up on the runway with power set, then idled back, a door opened on the vertical stabalizer, an airman came out and removed the locks,went back in and closed the door,
Power was again set,brakes released and the 99 was on its way to Puerto Rico. Fifty five years ago and I still hear those engines on B36s and C99.
Next day we removed the rudder locks on our B36 and returned to Walker AFB.

have original 78 rpm recording made in 1947, first flight of xc99 at lindbergh field san diego,ca. take off and landing. i worked at convair, salvaged record from trash bin.will consider selling record.

ihffvea78recordmadein1947atlindberghfieldtelling ofthefrstflightofthexc99takingoffandlandingc

my father walter raby flew this in the 1950s He was the youngest pilot to fly it at the age of 27. He was a c124 pilot at kelly afb. Had over 10000 hours in c 124. He is 84 years old living in seattle wa. He flew b25 in ww2. Night missions in korea and c130s and 141s in vietnam.
moved to seattle 1960s boeing pilot 727 737 757 retired 1986.

Interestingly enough, a double-deck passenger version, known as the Model 37, was proposed. Pan American expressed interest in this giant, but this was dropped in favor of the Stratocruiser. I have a few pictures of this aircraft here: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2944279650048918155ZfCbGi
along with other fantasy aircraft (such as the Lockheed Constitution and Martin Mars).

I was stationed at Goose AFB, Labrador 54-55 and saw the beast land and it was on the flightine parked next to a C124. I took a photo of them. It was a sight to see, we were used to seeing B36 land a Goose. The XC99 was on it's way to Germany that day. They weren't economical to fly unless the had a return cargo to bring back.

This aircraft has mesmerized me for al long as I can remember. I first saw it in the early 50s at Armed Forces Day at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio. During the late 90s I was fortunate enough to be allowed onto Kelly AFB where I found the poor old girl sitting on the ramp in terrible shape. I still live in Dayton, and it is now currently in pieces here at the Air Force Museum awaiting restoration. Given their backlog with the Memphis Belle and other aircraft, I doubt it will be on display anytime within the next 20 years.

AS a impressionable 4 year old I first saw the XC-99 at Kelly AFB in 1972 when my family traveled to San Antonio for My Uncle,s wedding. He was stationed at Kelly as a WEATHER OFFICER there.One day he took us out to the XC-99 when it was still on blocks and was still in it,s last paint scheme my mother took several pictures outside. This was the largest airplane I had Ever seen at the time even bigger than the C5-A,s sitting on the tarmac just a few hundred feet away. We then climed inside and went to the cockpit,which was in pristine condition. It looked as if it was ready to fly that day.Mom took a few pictures of the cockpit with one being an excellant photo of the instrument panel I,m sure the Air Force Museum might like to see to use in the restoration. Many years later I joined the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland AFB as a Medical Technician at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Any way when my daughter Krista was born in June of 1997 my mom came down to see us and asked if the XC-99 was still at Kelly and I really didn,t know so I asked and someone told me that there was an aircraft on kelly but it was in pretty bad shape and it was near the access road fence on kelly. So we took a drive and there she sat in the worst condition I had ever seen an Aircraft. Mom and I were both Appalled. Right before I got out of the Air Force in 1999 I started to hear that the MUseum was going to restore it and display it. this was great news as I live in Cleveland,Ohio and Dayton is only 3 1/2 hours away. In May of 2007 I was at Wright Patterson AFB for a class for my A.F. Reserve unit and went to the museum to see if the XC-99 was there yet. I was told some of it was near the restoration building waiting for the rest to arrive. they then showed me the model in the cold war exibit and to my luck there were a few old crew members visiting that day and I spoke to them for hours about the aircraft and it,s hey day. I then remembered that I had brought the photos my mom had taken some 35 years ago. I showed them and a it brought a tear to more than a few of them as I also had taken a photo of the 99 in It's deteriorated state. I still remember one gentlemen stating that this was the best aircraft he had the priviledge to fly and be a crewmember on. and he was a WW II vetern and I took this as law. So as the restoration will begin some time in the next year I can,t wait to see the 99 come back to life and see the 4 year old come back and reinspire this 40 year old. The only other thing I wish and I know will not happen is to see it fly as I never have.

One of the last flights of this bird was to Eielson AFB,AK in 1975. They were carrying rocket motors from Wallops Island to Prudoe Bay. We had to isolate it due to explosive nature of cargo.

The X-C99 is in the process of being disassembled and moved to The USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB where it will be restored and evenually put on display. A one of a kind.

I was stationed at Rhein Main in the early 50s and the XC-99 came in. I guess because the parking ramp wouldn't take the weight, the aircraft was parked between the two runway ends by the Autobon. German traffic was very light those days but what there was caused a jam to see the XC-99.

I was on the flight line at Fairchild AFB. WA. watched it land and take off at brought us spare parts from Kelly AFB. TX. for the B-36's stationed there, at that time there was two wings the 92nd and 99th bomb wings, so we used lots of parts.

I grew up in San Antonio and remember when my Dad took me to see the XC-99. I was around 6 yrs old and it cost around $3.00 dollars. I graduated in 1975 but my year book of 1974 had a arial view of the westside area. And it showed the landing strip and the XC-99 location. I'm glad it is being restored.

While growing up, my family lived just north of the middle marker beacon for McClellan AFB. Twice a week the XC-99 would fly between Kelly AFB and McClellan AFB. Twice a week my mother would rearrange her collection of salt and pepper shakers that would "dance on the shelf" when the aircraft flew over the house. With props in high rpm, and lots of power, the entire house would vibrate.

It has been disassembled at Kelly AFB and is being transported to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB for restoration.

Actually the XC-99 was paarked ouside a hanger at Kelly AFB in April 1958. I was there and saw it. Where is it now?

This aircraft was on display near Randolf AFB, San Antonio,
texas during the early 1960's.