We often question which are actually the best military transport airplanes in the U.S history?
Without further due, here are the top seven transport planes that
have served the U.S. Air Force over the years:
Number one, C-47 Skytrain
The C-47 has been dubbed a variety of names, including "Gooney Bird," "Dakota"
(a play on Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft), and "Spooky."
The military version of the popular airliner was began produced in 1940,
and by the end of WWII, 9,348 had been built.
The C-47 performed a lot of combats over Europe,
including dropping paratroopers behind German lines during the D-Day invasion.
The C-47 remained in service throughout the Vietnam War, with an assault variant dubbed "Puff
the Magic Dragon" due to the rapidity with which the aircraft's cannons were fired out the sides.
In addition, HC-47s were used by the 9th Special Operations Squadron to conduct psychological
warfare operations over South Vietnam and Laos. Number two, C-119 Flying Boxcar
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was a World War II-era American military transport aircraft.
It was designed to carry freight, soldiers, litter patients,
and motorized equipment, as well as drop cargo and troops by parachute.
The aircraft could carry 62 combat-equipped troops or 30,000 pounds of cargo.
This flying Boxcar saw extensive action during the Korean War and was armed with guns that could
fire 6,000 rounds per minute. Additionally, This aircraft was used until the early 1960s.
Number three, C-124 Globemaster II The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
popularly known as "Old Shaky," is a heavy-lift freight plane,
manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California.
The C-124 was the primary heavy-lift transport for the United States Air Force,
Military Air Transport Service (MATS) during the 1950s and early 1960s. Until 1974, it served in
MATS, then Military Airlift Command, and Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units.
Furthermore, this aircraft was the first USAF transport built specifically to carry bulky
cargo like tanks, field guns, bulldozers, and trucks. Because the Globemaster II could transport
200 fully outfitted troops, it was frequently deployed in the initial phases of the Vietnam War.
The plane was also extensively used in resupply trips for military activities in Antarctica
and during humanitarian efforts in the far regions of the world such as the Congo and Chile.
Number four, C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American
four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed.
This aircraft was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft.
Interestingly, the versatility of the C-130 has made it actually define as "workhorse”.
As it has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship
(AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support,
weather reconnaissance, aerial refuelling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting.
It is important to note that the C-130 Hercules is
the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years,
with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules currently being produced.
Number five, C-141 Starlifter The C-141 was the first jet
carrier to transport paratroopers to the Antarctic and the first one to land there.
This aircraft is a long range strategic airlifter,
designed for transporting large quantities of either cargo or passengers.
This aircraft is powered by an arrangement of four TF33 turbofan engines, each capable
of generating up to 21,000 pounds-force of thrust. Additionally, the Starlifter was built by Lockheed
for the United States Air Force and flew from 1963 to 2006, engaging in every contingency
and significant conflict during that time, including the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.
Number six, C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed,
and now maintained and upgraded by its successor, Lockheed Martin.
The C-5 Galaxy, as the Air Force's largest and foremost strategic airlifter,
could indeed transport more cargo across long distances than any other aircraft.
It is known that the C-5 can transport twice as much cargo as any other airlifter, with a
payload of six Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) or up to five helicopters.
Number sevent, C-17 Globemaster III The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a
large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United
States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas.
The C-17 was developed with digital age technologies such as fly-by-wire flight controls,
high-bypass engines, and composite wings, enabling it perfect flight characteristics for operating on
short and unprepared runways. Importantly, since September 11, 2001, the Globemaster III has shown
a lot of action, including a record-breaking mission on March 26, 2003, when 15 US Air Force
C-17s landed 1,000 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade over Bashur, Iraq.
So, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable subscribers, you may add in the comment
below some other best transport planes in U.S Military history that are not listed above.
That’s all for today and see you next time!