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Overview
Conceived as an air transport
for American ICBMs, the C-133 Cargomaster was developed by the Douglas
Aircraft Company and first flown on 23 April 1956. It was the second and
largest turboprop transport to be accepted by the U.S. Air Force.
The C-133 was designed to meet the requirements for the USAF's Logistic
Carrier Support System SS402L. The aircraft differed considerably from the
C-74 and C-124 Globemasters that had preceded it. A high-mounted wing,
external blister fairings on each side for the landing gear, and rear-loading
and side-loading doors ensured that access to, and the volume of, the large
cargo compartment were not compromised by these structures. The cargo compartment
(90 feet in length and 12 feet high) was pressurized, heated, and ventilated.
The Cargomaster had a 13,000 cubic foot cargo area with floor tie-down
facilities permitting installation of 200 airline-type seats. The C-133 could
accommodate 110,000 pounds of cargo or a fully-assembled Thor, Jupiter or Atlas
ballistic missile. Cargo was loaded via a two-section rear door assembly, the
lower section formed a ramp for drive-on/drive-off capability, or by a cargo door
on the port side of the forward fuselage. The C-133 was able to accept practically
every type of vehicle in service with the U.S. Army.
The Cargomasters went directly into production as C-133A; no prototypes
were built. The first C-133As were delivered to the Military Air Transport
Service (MATS) in August 1957. A total of 35 were built: the last three
having a "clamshell" rear door assembly which increased the compartment
length by 3 feet, making it possible to airlift completely assembled Titan
missiles. These were followed by 15 C-133B aircraft that retained the
"clamshell" doors and incorporated more powerful engines.
In 1958, C-133s began flying MATS air routes throughout the world, and two
C-133s established transatlantic speed records for transport aircraft on
their first flights to Europe.
The fleet of 50 aircraft proved itself invaluable during the VietNam War,
but fatigue problems led to their withdrawal from service in 1971.
Note: The C-133 was a remarkable aircraft with exceptional
lifting capability and range; a true airlift workhorse! Its replacement, the
C-5 Galaxy, became a great airlifter in its own right.
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