Mission The McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender is an advanced aerial tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0’s primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and transport aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carrying the fighter support personnel and equipment on …
Mission The Douglas AC-47D is a fixed-wing, side-firing aerial gunship that provides close air support in defense of ground positions, escort and patrol, pre-planned strikes against suitable targets, and forward air controlling for fighter strikes. Background In the early-1960s, the Air Force Systems Command began experimenting with fixed-wing, side-firing weapons systems for possible use in …
Mission The C-9A Nightingale demonstrates its uniqueness and versatility daily by its ability to serve not only military, but Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian hospitals throughout the world, using military and commercial airfields. It is the only aircraft in the USAF inventory specifically designed for the movement of litter and ambulatory patients. Background Experience …
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 …
Overview The Air Force’s long-range airlifter that performed yeoman service through two wars and nearly 25 years, the C-124, nicknamed “Old Shakey,” was a major redesign of the C-74 Globemaster that was developed at the end of World War II. The C-124 used the same wings, tail, and engines as the C-74. To facilitate outsized cargo handling, …
Overview The C-118 (designated as R6D by the U.S. Navy) was a military variation of the Douglas DC-6 commercial airliner. In 1947, USAAF officials ordered 166 aircraft to support operations of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). The 29th production DC-6 was designated as VC-118 and modified to replace the aging C-54C “Sacred Cow” Presidential aircraft. It …
Overview Immediately after the United States became engaged in World War II, it was clear that transport aircraft would be of vital importance. Because of the theater of operations envisaged, such aircraft would require both long range and great load-carrying capability. In early 1942, the Douglas Aircraft Company began development of a new, very large …
Overview The Douglas C-54 (designated R5D by the U.S. Navy) was the military variation of the DC-4 four-engine commercial transport. It was the first four-engine transport to enter USAAF service. The USAAF accepted a total of 1,164 Skymasters from 1942 to 1947. Its maximum load capacity was 28,000 pounds of cargo or 49 passengers. Although …
Overview Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47 Skytrain, nicknamed “Gooney Bird.” The aircraft was adapted from the DC-3 commercial airliner which first appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of WWII, over 10,000 had been procured for …
The McDonnell Douglas YC-15, like Boeing’s YC-14 prototype, had a high-set wing, fuselage blister fairings for the main landing gear units, and an upswept T-tail above the rear ramp/door arrangement. The primary difference between the two aircraft was the way each achieved STOL performance. Unlike the YC-14, the YC-15 wings were configured with sets of …
