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Subject: Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-124_Globemaster_II
The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shaky", was a heavy-lift cargo
aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California.
The C-124 was the primary heavy-lift transport for United States Air Force
Military Air Transport Service (MATS) during the 1950s and early 1960s, until
the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter entered service. It served in MATS-gained, later
Military Airlift Command (MAC)-gained, units of the Air Force Reserve and Air
National Guard until 1974.
Douglas Aircraft developed the C-124 from 1947 to 1949, from a prototype they
lessons learned during the Berlin Airlift. The aircraft was powered by four
large Pratt & Whitney R-4360 piston engines producing 3,800 hp (2,800 kW) each.
The C-124's design featured two large clamshell doors and a hydraulically
actuated ramp in the nose as well as a cargo elevator under the aft fuselage.
The C-124 was capable of carrying 68,500 lb (31,100 kg) of cargo, and the 77 ft
(23 m) cargo bay featured two overhead hoists, each capable of lifting 8,000 lb
(3,600 kg). As a cargo hauler, it could carry tanks, guns, trucks and other
heavy equipment, while in its passenger-carrying role it could carry 200 fully
equipped troops on its double decks or 127 litter patients and their attendants.
It was the only aircraft of its time capable of transporting heavy equipment
such as tanks and bulldozers without disassembly.
The C-124 first flew on 27 November 1949, with the C-124A being delivered from
May 1950. The C-124C was next, featuring more powerful engines, and an APS-42
weather radar fitted in a "thimble"-like structure on the nose. Wingtip-mounted
combustion heaters were added to heat the cabin, and enable wing and tail
surface deicing. The C-124As were later equipped with these improvements.
One C-124C, 52-1069, c/n 43978, was used as a JC-124C, for testing the 15,000
shp (11,000 kW) Pratt & Whitney XT57 (PT5) turboprop, which was installed in the
nose.
Role
Heavy-lift military transport aircraft
Manufacturer
Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight
27 November 1949
Introduction
1950
Retired
1974 (USAF)
Primary users
United States Air Force
United States Air National Guard
United States Air Force Reserve
Produced
Number built
448
Developed from
Douglas C-74 Globemaster
Developed into
Douglas C-132 (Unbuilt)
First deliveries of the 448 production aircraft began in May 1950 and continued
until 1955. The C-124 was operational during the Korean War, and was also used
to assist supply operations for Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. They
performed heavy lift cargo operations for the US military worldwide, including
flights to Southeast Asia, Africa and elsewhere. From 1959 to 1961 they
transported Thor missiles across the Atlantic to England. The C-124 was also
used extensively during the Vietnam War transporting materiel from the U.S. to
Vietnam. Until the C-5A became operational, the C-124, and its sister C-133
Cargomaster were the only aircraft available that could transport very large
loads.
The United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) was the initial
operator of the C-124 Globemaster, with 50 in service from 1950 through 1962.
Four squadrons operated the type, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Strategic Support Squadrons. Their primary duty was to transport nuclear weapons
between air bases and to provide airlift of SAC personnel and equipment during
exercises and overseas deployments.
The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) was the primary operator until January
1966, when the organization was retitled Military Airlift Command (MAC). Within
a few years following the formation of MAC, the last remaining examples of the
C-124 were transferred to the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and the Air National
Guard (ANG), said transfers being complete by 1970. The first ANG unit to
receive the C-124C, the 165th Tactical Airlift Group (now known as the 165th
Airlift Wing) of the Georgia Air National Guard, was the last Air Force unit to
retire their aircraft (AF Serial No. 52-1066 and 53-0044) in September 1974.
Specifications (C-124C Globemaster II)
General characteristics
Crew: 6: Aircraft Commander, Pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, 2 Loadmasters
Length: 130 ft 5 in (39.76 m)
Wingspan: 174 ft 1?1/2 in (53.09 m)
Height: 48 ft 3?1/2 in (14.72 m)
Empty weight: 101,165 lb (45,984 kg)
Loaded weight: 185,000 lb (84,090 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 194,500 lb (88,220 kg)
(2,834 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 304 mph (264 kn, 489 km/h) at 20,800 ft (6,340 m)
Cruise speed: 230 mph (200 kn, 370 km/h)
Range: 6,820 mi (5,930 nmi, 10,975 km)
Service ceiling: 21,800 ft (6,645 m)
Rate of climb: 760 ft/min (3.9 m/s)
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