94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group Reports On An Upsatart, Opa Locka, Florida Based, FAR-135 Cargo Operation to Operate Former U.S. Navy Convair C-131B's / CV-240's

Originally obtained from the Davis Monthan Air Force Base storage inventory, this Convair CV-240 / U.S. Navy C-131 sits quietly and beautifully re-conditioned on the ramp at Opa Locka (KOPF) airport

The aircraft was originally manufactured for the U.S. Navy and designated as C-131 "Samaritan". It flew for Navy "VR" Squadrons tasked with logistical / transport duties. The model also operated with the United States Coast Guard designated at the HC-131A and the United Stated Air Force called it the C-131B / T-29 when it served as a in-flight trainer aircraft for navigator students

The Convair CV-240 / C-131 is powered by two, overhauled Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp redial engines 

The CV-240 / C-131 was delivered to the U.S. Navy with factory installed rear / starboard side cargo door which helped facilitate the on load and on load of palatalize cargo 

The two Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp were totally overhauled and perform flawlessly 

The aircraft received and entire, full fuselage paint job that is nothing short of top delivery Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) quality. The overall white top and lower battleship gray lends to the aircraft prior military service. In reviewing the aircraft one can not help to call to mind the paint scheme of the Lockheed UP-3 Orion that once served as personnel shuttle / logistic aircraft at the former 

Naval Air Station Kefllavik (NAS Kef)  

The U.S. Navy C-131 in its active duty service colors. The aircraft was originally designated by the U.S. Navy as the "R4Y" until 1962 when it then was known as the C-131. The C-131 flew for the USAF until 1970. The USCG retired the aircraft in 1983 odldle enough at Opa Locka airport and finally the U.S. Naval Air Reserve retied the model in 1989 along with the Grumman C-1 thus ending the long and established the U.S. Navy aircraft radial engine operational history

Opa Locka, Florida 5th September 2013: Like a good solider a good plane never dies, it just fades away and the CV-240 / C-131 is still shinning brilliantly in its continued commercial service years after its creation and retirement from its original operators, hence the U.S. Navy, U.S Coast Guard, the U.S. Air Force and the Paraguayan Air Force.

The Convair C-131 Samaritan was produced from 1954 to 1956 by Convair. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240. From the group who brought us the brilliant restoration of the Eastern Airlines DC-7B, N836D under the technical leadership and expertise of Mr Carlos Gomez which operated with the Historical Flight Foundation has once again applied their outstanding skills in bringing this CV-240 / C-131 back to life.
Originally plucked out from of the Davis Monthan Air Force Base inventory of desert stored and preserved aircraft's as part of a four aircraft deal, this aircraft yet to receive an official FAA tail number is a testimony to the saying "if there is a will, there is a way". This aircraft is the first of three more to hopefully come on line and of which shall be enlisted to fly 13,500 lbs of commercial cargo to and from Opa Locka (KOPF) to the surrounding market consisting of the Caribbean Islands within the operational reach of the aircraft and with sights thus set on one particular Caribbean Island.
Keep posted to this story on our blog, as we shall provide continued updates and shall be creating new, additional and future "You Tube" segments concerning this aircraft and the project so as to be aired on "You Tube' under the Channel of "BennyTheJett1"