Hello everyone, welcome back to another episode of Military TV.
In today’s session, we will take a look at the 7-Best Transport Planes in the U.S
Military History. If you are curious on what they are, stayed tunned and don’t go anywhere!
The following is the list of the top seven transport planes that have served the U.S
Air Force over the years: Number one C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian
Douglas DC-3 airliner. This aircraft was used extensively by the Allies during World War
II and remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years.
It served in all theatres during World War II and continued in service long afterward.
Moreover, this aircraft was used to haul cargo, transport troops, drop paratroops, tow gliders,
and as a flying ambulance. Additionally, the C-47 was a pillar of U.S. military airlift during the
early stages of the Cold War, figuring large in the 1948 Berlin Airlift and in the Korean
War from 1950 to 1953. Lastly, the C-47s were used in the Vietnam War as electronic warfare
collection aircraft and as AC-47 gunships. Many hundreds remain in civil service today.
Number two C-119 Flying Boxcar The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American
military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet. This
aircraft was designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and
to drop cargo and troops by parachute. The first C-119 made its initial flight in November 1947,
and by the time production ceased in 1955, more than 1,100 C-119s had been built. Interestingly,
its cargo-hauling ability and unusual appearance earned it the nickname "Flying Boxcar".
Additionally, the AC-119G "Shadow" gunship variant was fitted with four six-barrel 7.62 mm miniguns,
armor plating, flare launchers, and night-capable infrared equipment. Like the AC-130 that would
succeed it, the AC-119 would prove to be a potent weapon. The AC-119 was made more deadly by the
introduction of the AC-119K "Stinger" version, which featured the addition of two General
Electric M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannon, improved avionics, and two underwing-mounted General
Electric J85-GE-17 turbojet engines, adding nearly 6,000 lbf of thrust.
Number three C-124 Globemaster II The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II which has the
nickname "Old Shaky", is an American 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 (USAF) and Military Air Transport Service (MATS) during the 1950s and early 1960s,
until the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter entered service. It served in MATS, later Military Airlift
Command (MAC), units of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard until it retired in 1974.
Additionally, the Douglas C-124 could carry more than 200 troops. It also could load tanks,
field guns, bulldozers and trucks. It had clamshell-type loading doors,
built-in double hydraulic ramps and an elevator under the aft fuselage.
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 Martin.
Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as
a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft. This versatile airframe has found uses in a
variety of other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), airborne assault, search and rescue,
scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling,
maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter for
many military forces worldwide. More than 40 variants of the Hercules,
including civilian versions marketed as the Lockheed L-100, operate in more than 60 nations.
Furthermore, the C-130 entered service with the U.S. in 1956, followed by Australia and many other
nations. During its years of service, the Hercules family has participated in numerous military,
civilian and humanitarian aid operations. In 2007, the C-130 became the fifth aircraft to mark 50
years of continuous service with its original primary customer, which for the C-130 is the
United States Air Force. 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 Lockheed C-141 Starlifter is a retired military strategic airlifter that served with
the Military Air Transport Service, its successor organization the Military Airlift Command,
and finally the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force.
The aircraft also served with airlift and air mobility wings of the Air Force Reserve,
the Air National Guard and later, one air mobility wing of the Air Education and Training Command
dedicated to C-141, C-5, C-17 and KC-135 training. Moreover, the C-141 Starlifter was the US Air
Force’s first major jet aircraft designed to meet military standards as a troop and cargo carrier.
C-141s performed numerous airlift missions for the USAF. With its great range and high speed,
the Starlifter projected American military power and humanitarian efforts rapidly across the globe.
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. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range
strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsized and oversized loads, including all
air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many similarities to the smaller Lockheed C-141
Starlifter and the later Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The C-5 is among the largest military
aircraft in the world. In addition, the C-5 Galaxy's development was complicated, including
significant cost overruns, and Lockheed suffered significant financial difficulties. Shortly after
entering service, cracks in the wings of many aircraft were discovered and the C-5 fleet was
restricted in capability until corrective work was completed. The C-5M Super Galaxy is an upgraded
version with new engines and modernized avionics designed to extend its service life beyond 2040.
Number seven C-17 Globemaster III The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
is a large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF)
from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 Globemaster serves as the U.S.
Air Force’s primary strategic lift aircraft for global transport of troops and equipment.
This aircraft is also capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types
of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft
can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can transport litters and ambulatory patients
during aeromedical evacuations when required. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17
force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility
requirements of the United States. Additionally, the Globemaster III was designed to be able to
land on runways as short as 3,500 feet and as narrow as 90 feet. With engine thrust reversers,
the C-17 can back up and turn around on very small runways in forward operating bases.
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