The single U.S. Air Force Convair XC-99 (s/n 43-52436), a prototype heavy cargo aircraft, which first flew on 23 November 1947. In 1953, an AN/APS-42 weather radar with its distinctive “thimble” radome (the black dome on the nose of the aircraft) was installed. The spectators are looking into the cargo bay, which used a special hoist to load cargo.
USAF
1953
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/index.asp">National Museum of the U.S. Air Force</a> photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/120409-F-XN622-003.jpg">120409-F-XN622-003</a>