Rejected as a maritime patrol aircraft, the XP5Y turboprop flying boat was reworked as the R3Y Tradewind transport and tanker aircraft, the R3Y-2 having forward doors for use as a flying landing craft. During this demonstration on 27 April 1957, the sixth Tradewind landed a bunch of marines, a jeep, a light truck, a Mule tractor and a howitzer. However, even in a quiet bay, it was very difficult to keep the aircraft stable or to reverse from the beach, and the navy was not impressed. Photo from: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie

The "Caribbean Sea Tradewind" leaving NAS Alameda. Photo by Peter M. Bowers.