Convair Model 106 Skycoach

[Stargazer]

Here is the Convair Model 106 Sky Coach one of Consolidated-Vultee's lesser-known prototypes, and another botched attempt at creating new post-war general aviation designs (photos from the San Diego Air & Space Museum gallery on Flickr):

 

[Kdmoo]

Another photo:

 

[mz]

The four wheel landing gear picture from below is interesting. The high placed engine allows the use of a short light and lower drag landing gear. The plane reminds me of the Stearman-Hammond Y-1S.

 

[Stargazer]

Same here. But then again it was a rather common design at that time, there are several other instances.

 

[Tophe]

You included this topic in the Early-Aircraft forum, up to 1945, while the sources I had mentionned it as 1946 plane destroyed in 1947. As one of the picture you posted is dated April 1946 for the complete prototype, yes it my be a 1945 twin-boom design/project, but have you a source saying it?
Thanks.

 

[Stargazer]

No source, Tophe, but I based my assumption on the fact that this was a Stinson design, and since Vultee and Stinson had already merged by war's end, it had to be prior to 1945. But I may be wrong.

 

[Tophe]

Thanks Stephane.
Just an extra question: your first post of 4 pictures is very interesting, while I am surprised by the last one, so different: 4 wheels instead of 3, high wing, different fins extended below, this seems another plane (or a flying mock-up 1945? or the first Convair Flying Car that was also twin-boom at that time?). What are the opinions of observers here?

 

[Jemiba]

The idea with the flying car came to my mind, too, especially as the attachment
of the wings could suggest a fast and easy removal.

 

[Stargazer]

@Jemiba: I almost listed this Model along with the other flying cars... then changed my mind without any appropriate details as to whether such an arrangement had been planned.

@Tophe: The last picture in the first series is clearly a scale model that was anticipating the finished product. Not another flying car (these were the Models 103, 116 and 118, all very different from the Skycoach). Someone along the way must have considered the 4 wheels were unpractical (which they were, really).

 

[Jemiba]

Stéphane, it's ok, it was just an idea, because I think to remember to at least one type
of "conventional" aircraft, where the landing gear was changed to four wheels, too, in order
to make it roadable (I think, it was an Alon Ercoupe, but not sure). Principally, as strange,
as turning an aircrafts landing gear to four wheels, as there were several 3-wheeled cars,
so driving on the street doesn't mean to have 4 wheels.

 

[fightingirish]

Two new Convair Model 106 Skycoach pictures at SDASM Archives so far.
Sources:

https://flic.kr/p/WdUNpE

View: https://flic.kr/p/WdUNpE

https://flic.kr/p/XqGNuL

View: https://flic.kr/p/XqGNuL

 

[hesham]

Nice find my dear Rolf,

but the second drawing differs a little from the aircraft actually built ?.