HC-131 Samaritan USCG General and Business Aviation The first of 26 C-131A

The first of 26 C-131A Samaritans was delivered in 1954

with 28 upper and lower berth units plus five seats

when several were converted into C-73 transports and trainers

twin-engine cargo aircraft designed to land on aircraft carriers

Wingspan 13

HC-131 Samaritan USCG General and Business Aviation The first of 26 C-131AConvair HC 131 Coast Guard airplane model. The Convair 240 was one of the first post World War II passenger transports. It entered airline service in June 1948 and was popular with airlines serving smaller cities where traffic did not support a larger aircraft. The Air Force had a need for a "flying classroom" for the training of navigators and radar navigator bombardiers. After evaluation, Convair was given a contract for a version of the Model 240,