The Convair R3Y Tradewind was a heavy cargo carrying flying boat developed in the 1950s. Despite its innovative design the poor reliability of its engines meant it was not a success and only eleven were constructed.

The Convair R3Y was a modification of the earlier Convair P5Y patrol aeroplane designed and built for the United States Navy.

It featured a long thin hull and four T-40 turboprop engines, and could carry 24 tons of cargo, 103 passengers or 92 stretcher cases.

The first R3Y-1 made its maiden flight on 25 Febraury 1954.

An improved version, the R3Y-2, featured a hinged nose and high cockpit for its intended role as flying landing craft, but this proved to be unworkable in practice and all R3Ys were converted to flying tankers.

However, the poor reliability of the T-40 engines meant all R3Ys were withdrawn from service in 1958.

This model represents a R3Y-2 flying with VR-2 of the US Navy in early 1958.

Anigrand 1/144 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in December 2011.