Dates

Event

Constructed as a XC-99.

24 November 1947

First flight.
Flown at San Diego, CA.

26 May 1949

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 43-52436.

May 1949

Transferred to Eighth Air Force, Fort Worth, TX.

From 1949 to 1950

Grounded for a year to implement structural modifications that would increase the permissible gross weight.

July 1950

First active service mission, flying from Kelly AFB, TX to McClellan AFB, CA, carrying payload of 101,206 lbs.

8 September 1950

Transferred to Strategic Air Command, Kelly AFB, TX.

From 1950 to 1957

Although used for other duties, the XC-99s primary mission was transporting B-36 spares and components from Texas to California during twice-weekly trips, while returning by way of other bases or depots making pick-ups and deliveries along the way. It transported over 60,000,000 lbs of cargo during its career.

Circa 1953

Photographer: National Museum of t United States Air Fo
Notes: 1953 photo of the Convair XC-99, complete with an AN/APS-42 weather radar with its distinctive othimble radome

From 12 August 1953 to 19 August 1953

Flew from San Antonio, TX to Frankfurt, Germany via Bermuda and the Azores on maiden transatlantic flight and first stop outside USA. Returned a week later.

1956

Aircraft was flown to Goose Bay, Labrador.

From 1956 to 1957

Charles Landis reports: In 1957 prior to the 6th Bomb Wing switching from the B-36 to the B-52 the XC-99 flew in to Walker AFB NM for her maintenance inspections. In 1956 During our TDY to Fairchild AFB WA She was parked next to our maintenance hangar unloading cargo.

19 March 1957

Last flight.
Landed at Kelly AFB, TX.

11 July 1957

Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Air Force.
Aircraft logged 7400 flying hours.

25 July 1957

Aircraft was parked on the north end of the runway and offered for sale.

6 November 1957

To Disabled American Veterans, Department of Texas, San Antonio Chapter.
Aircraft was donated to the DAV due to lack of buyers. Under the terms of the donation, the aircraft was to be removed from Kelly at no cost to the government; used only for display, ceremonial, or historical purposes; and could not be used for profit. Classified equipment was removed from the aircraft, which then sat at the north end of the runway until July 1959, when it was moved to private property about 4,400 ft west of the runways north end.

1976

To San Antonio Memorial Air Museum.
Museum formed to maintain the aircraft.

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: Wendell Montague
Notes: XC-99 when still at its display site off Kelly

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: Wendell Montague

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: Wendell Montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 May 1976

Photographer: my father wendell montague
Notes: XC99 at original display site

Circa 5 August 1977

Photographer: Wendell Montague
Notes: XC99 at Kelly flightline

1981

To Museum of American Aviation, San Antonio, TX.
The Museum of American Aviation was formed by the American Aviation Research Association and inherited the XC-99 and other assets of the San Antonio Air Museum when that organization dissolved.

10 October 1982

Photographer: Paul Thallon
Notes: 1982 photo at Kelly AFB of Consolidated Vultee (Convair) XC-99

18 October 1983

To American Aviation Research Assoc, San Antonio, TX with new c/r N5009F.

September 1992

Photographer: Steve Tournay
Notes: Photographed at San Antonio, TX.

By 1993

Photographer: Charles Landis
Notes: Before she was moved onto Main Kelly AFB.

May 1993

To Kelly Field Heritage Foundation keeping c/r N5009F.
Aircraft was purchased for $50,000 for donation to the National Museum of the USAF. It was towed to a ramp on Kelly AFB near the main runway.

Circa 5 May 1994

Photographer: Wendell Montague
Notes: XC99 at Kelly flightline

Circa 5 May 1994

Photographer: Wendell Montague
Notes: XC99 at Kelly flightline

November 2000

Photographer: Tom Tessier
Notes: At Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Kelly AFB, TX

2001

Photographer: Charles Landis

Circa 11 May 2001

Photographer: Norm Jukes
Notes: Photographed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX.

2004

To National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
View the Location Dossier

From April 2004 to 2008

Disassembled.
Disassembly of the aircraft began at Kelly Field in April 2004. Portions of the airframe were then airlifted from Kelly to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Transporting the XC-99 components taxed the C-5As cargo capacity, as the largest piece moved intact was over 75 feet by 13 ft. Upon arrival at Wright-Pattersons active base [Patterson Field], the parts had to be further moved by truck several miles to the museum side of the base [Wright Field]. By the summer of 2008, the XC-99 had been completely transferred to Dayton and was lying on the ramp outside the museums restoration facility. (Wikipedia].

2010

Restoration started.
Restoration began with corrosion control.

By May 2012

Assigned to AMARG, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ for storage.
The restoration project was deemed to be greater than anticipated, and the plan is to transport all the components to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ for storage. By May 2012 the tail section and propellers had been transported.

9 April 2013

As of April 2013 wing sections and other components were observed still on the ramp by the restoration hangar at Wright Field.

18 April 2013

Civil registration, N5009F, cancelled.

24 November 2014

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: This photo taken by my wife from the passenger seat as we drive on the ramp from Col. Glenn Highway (along the south side of Wright Field) joining Interstate 675. This shows the fuselage sections, etc of the XC-99 on the ramp by the restoration facility on the east side of Wright Field.

18 April 2017

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: Some fuselage sections still at the far south end of the restoration area.