Dimensions included an overall length of 68 feet with a wingspan of 100 feet and a height of 31.8 feet. The aircraft held an empty weight of 20,155lb against an MTOW of 33.900lb.
Internally, the aircraft could house up to 24 combat-ready paratroopers or 24 medical litters with accompanying medical staff. Beyond this, the hold could also accommodate a single 1-1.5 ton military truck or equivalent in paletted cargo (tested up to 10,400lb).
The aircraft, in prototype form, went into the air for the first time on October 31st, 1943. Two additional prototypes followed this and the trio were ultimately used to cover various phases of the testing/evaluation period. It was shown to be complex and expensive to manufacture the steel needed for the hauler and the aircraft remained underpowered while also fuel-thirsty given its role of strategic transporting.
Early on, USN authorities believed in the product enough to have contracted for 200 units under the "RB-1" designation and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) followed suit by committing to 600 units, these to operate under the "C-93" designation. However, with its testing and production difficulties, and the growing availability of aluminum for American aero-industry plants, the need for a stainless steel transport became novel to the point that the USN drastically reduced its order to just 25 units while the Army cancelled its order outright. First deliveries to the USN were had in March of 1944 and a total of seventeen were ultimately operated as RB-1s - serving for only a short time and removed from the active inventory as soon as early-1945. These went on to end their days in the civilian marketplace by way of war surplus sale.
Several lessons learned in the development of the Conestoga were influential in military transport design of subsequent decades - including the high-winged mainplanes, elevated tail section, and powered cargo ramp door. The modern, and commercially/militarily successful Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" is a classic example of this transport aircraft arrangement.
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