C-131CMI Package_Final.pdf

Hill Aerospace Museum

Color, Markings, and Insignia Package

C-131D 5500300

I. Background

The Convair C-131 Samaritan was a United States military transport produced from 1954 to 1956 by

Convair. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240. The plane's design began life from a production requirement by American Airlines for a pressurized airliner to replace the Douglas DC-3.

Convair's original design had two engines and 40 seats, and thus it was designated the CV-240. The first CV-240 flew in March of 1947, and production aircraft were first delivered to United States military in February of 1948. Later, Convair introduced the Model 340 and 440, stretched and improved versions of the Model 240. The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air

Force for medical evacuation and very important personnel (VIP) transport and was designated as C-

131 Samaritan. The first Samaritan, the C-131A, was derived from the CV-240, and was delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1954. The C-131A had large loading doors for stretchers or cargo and was equipped to accommodate 27 stretchers. In later years, some Samaritans were converted to be used as VIP staff transports under the designation VC-131H. It was the first pressurized, twin-engine transport ordered by the Military Air Transport Service. The T-29 "Flying

Classroom" version of this aircraft filled the back of the plane with student stations and was used to train bombardiers, navigators and electronic warfare officers. Nearly all C-131s left the active United

States Air Force (USAF) inventory in the late 1970s, but the U.S. Coast Guard operated the aircraft until 1983. While the Air National Guard and U.S. Navy units operated additional C-131 airframes, primarily as Operational Support Aircraft (OSA) for Air National Guard flying wings and as naval air station "station aircraft" until 1990.

Tail number 55-300 location history:

March 1955 – 2570 Air Base Wing (Air Material Command)

June 1975 – HQ Air National Guard, Andrews AFB, DC

March 1977 -- 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (ANG), Boise, ID

July 1989 – Dropped from USAF

August 1989 – Hill Aerospace Museum for static display https://www.airplanes-online.com/t29-flying-classroom.htm https://www.airplanes-online.com/t29-flying-classroom.htm

Above: Painted in Boise, Idaho National Guard paint scheme with radar nose.

Above: Painted in Boise, Idaho National Guard paint scheme with radar nose.

Above: S/N 55-300 C-131D shown with radar nose.

Above: S/N 55-300 C-131D shown with radar nose.

II. Current Configuration

The aircraft is currently marked in polished aluminum (appearance), and white (FS17875) scheme from the Idaho National Guard (124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group) Gowen Field in Boise Idaho.

The upper surfaces of the fuselage, and tail are painted gloss white (FS17875), as are the landing gear and wheel wells. The white (FS17875) and gray (FS16473) are separated by a 3” painted stripe, with a 1” blue (FS35250) stripe above and below a 1” gold (FS17043) stripe. The remainder of the fuselage, nacelles, and other surfaces are gray (FS16473). The anti-glare design beneath the cockpit is painted black (FS17038). Both sides of the fuselage have the words “UNITED STATES AIR FORCE” in 12” Insignia Blue (FS15044) letters bordered in gold. The National Insignia is on both sides of the aft fuselage. The insignia will have a 40” star and be made in Insignia Blue (FS15044), Insignia White (FS17875), and Insignia Red (FS11136). The top surface of the left wing and the underside of the right wing have a 40” national star painted in Insignia Blue (FS15044), Insignia White (FS17875), and Insignia Red (FS11136). The letters “USAF” are painted in 40” Insignia Blue (FS15044) letters on the top of the right wing and bottom of the left. Call numbers in 12” high blue (FS35250) font shadowed by gold (FS17043) is on the outside of each vertical stabilizer (S/N 50300). Both sides of the vertical tail have an American flag (always trailing). Only select sizes are allowed per TO 1-1-4. Reference TO 1-1-4/ 4-2. The vertical tail has a 16” gold banner bordered by 1” blue (FS35250) with 1” gold bordered by another 1” blue (FS35250). The text in the banner is 14” “IDAHO” in insignia white (FS17875) centered with blue border (FS35250). The propellers are marked in red, white and blue because the primary mission was transportation of VIP’s. This type of marking is only approved and limited to major commands and will not be delegated to lower level of commands. Markings in this manner differ from the original appearance normally on props less than 15 ft. in diameter. Aircraft propeller blade tips will normally be painted yellow, measured from blade tip towards hub four inches.

Current state of S/N 550300

III. Overview of proposed paint scheme alterations

Overall Scheme:

The aircraft is currently marked in polished aluminum (appearance), and white (FS17875) scheme from the Idaho National Guard (124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group) Gowen Field in Boise Idaho.

The upper surfaces of the fuselage, and tail are painted gloss white (FS17875), as are the landing gear and wheel wells. The white (FS17875) and polished metal are separated by a 3” painted stripe, with a 1” blue (FS35250) stripe above and below a 1” gold (FS17043) stripe. The remainder of the fuselage, nacelles, and other surfaces are polished. The anti-glare marking beneath the cockpit forward to the radome is painted black (FS17038). Follow previously painted black for reference during repaint. There is a blue (FS35250) stripe on the belly of the aircraft down the left and right side. Follow current marking for location. Within the current marked off area of the belly of the fuselage it is painted white (FS17875)

Data Legend Marking:

Reference T.O. 1-1-4-page A-7 figure A-3. The aircraft model, serial number, and fuel type is placed aft of the pilot’s window (aircraft left) and below the blue and gold border on the side of the airframe. Text size is 1” black lettering (FS1738).

U.S. AIR FORCE C-131D

AF SERIAL NO. 50300

SERVICE THIS AIRCRAFT WITH

GRADE MIL-DTL-83133

National Insignia on Wings:

The National Star Insignia will remain on each wing. The top surface of the left wing and the underside of the right wing have a 40” national star painted in Insignia Blue (FS15044), Insignia White (FS17875), and Insignia Red (FS11136). See T.O. 1-1-4 (1978-CH1985) Figure B-15. Reference image on page 7.

National Insignia on Aft Fuselage:

The National Insignia will remain painted on both sides of the airframe according to the following instructions. The insignia will have a 40” star Insignia blue (FS15044), Insignia White (FS17875), and Insignia Red (FS11136). Symmetry will be maintained when applying the insignia on each side. The insignia will be applied on the left and right of the fuselage 45 degrees to the lower aft corner of the most aft window. See reference image below.

Convair C-131D 124th TRG, Idaho Air National Guard Base, Idaho 1979

U.S. AIR FORCE

The words “UNITED STATES AIR FORCE” will remain on the fuselage in 12” blue (FS35250) letters bordered in gold (FS17043).

USAF

The “USAF” will remain on the under of the left wing and top side of the right wing. The letters will be painted at 40” tall lettering using insignia blue (FS15044).

Propellers The propellers will be marked in the red (FS11136), white (FS17875), and blue (FS15044) configuration. They will be painted in the order of red, white, and blue from blade tip toward the hub. Each strip will be 1.5” wide.

Serial Numbers/ American flag Call numbers in 12” blue (FS35250) font bordered with gold (FS17043) on the outside of each vertical stabilizer (S/N 50300). Both sides of the vertical tail have an American flag (always trailing).

Only select sizes are allowed per TO 1-1-4. Reference TO 1-1-4/ 4-1. Placement can be seen in reference imagery, technical specifications state, “The American flag marking, when authorized, shall be located on both sides of the rudder or vertical stabilizer above all other markings of significance.” (T.O. 1-1-4, 4-2 sections b.)

Idaho National Guard Insignia Reference the side of the airframe to match already depicted size applied to left and right side of vertical stabilizer forward of the call numbers and centered on the forward side of the gold and blue banner. Reference images for best placement. The insignia is the specially designed “Air National Guard Insignia” with wright flyer and F-4, along with two flags at the base of the missile man in black outline. There is an “Outstanding Unit” with two oakleaf clusters award below each Air National Guard insignias on left and right of the fuselage. There is a second Idaho National Guard Insignia silhouette placed on the left side of the vertical tail (see reference below). Insignia placement and size, utilize reference imagery on pages 2, 3, and 5.

Left side of fuselage Right side of fuselage

Outstanding Unit Award Two oakleaf clusters placed in ribbon

Aaron Clark Date R. Ray Ortensie Date Director Command Curator Hill Aerospace Museum HQ Air Force Material Command Hill AFB UT Wright-Patterson AFB OH

Sources:

- https://www.airplanes-online.com/c131-samaritan.htm

- http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/member.cgi?k=t.pics_member_one-member_i.114583-item_i.249428

- 1-1-4 TO Exterior Finishes, Insignia and Markings Applicable to USAF Aircraft

- https://www.airhistory.net/photo/140279/55-300/50300

- https://www.aahs-online.org/resources/image_lib_display.php?img_offset=5548 https://www.airplanes-online.com/c131-samaritan.htm https://www.airhistory.net/photo/140279/55-300/50300