C-124A

C-124A. Globemaster II. , The Museum's C-124 is the last remaining "A" model, making it the oldest Globemaster II in the world., The C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shaky," entered service in May 1950. It carried more supplies and equipment, faster and farther, than any previous transport. The C-124 was a major redesign of the C-74 Globemaster that was developed at the end of World War II and used the same wings, tail, and engines as the C-74., The C-124 was one of the first aircraft in which cargo loading and handling was considered from the start. It was equipped with clamshell nose loading doors, a loading ramp, an electric hoist, and two overhead cranes in the 77-foot-long cargo hold. The C-124's ability to carry large items, such as heavy tractors, was perhaps more important than its ability to handle great weight., Of the 449 C-124s built, this is one of only nine survivors. It's the oldest one in existence and the only A-model., This aircraft served in four different commands from 1951 to 1969: Strategic Air Command (SAC), Military Air Transport Service (MATS), Tactical Air Command (TAC), and the Air Force Reserve (AFRES).,

Specifications , Manufacturer: Douglas , Type: Strategic cargo transport , Powerplant: Four 3,800-hp Pratt and Whitney R-4360-63A radial engines , Maximum speed: 304 mph , Range: 4,020 mi. with max payload , Service ceiling: 21,800 ft , Max takeoff weight: 185,000 lb , Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and two loadmasters , Payload: 74,000 lb of cargo, 200 troops, or 127 litters , Dimensions: , Wing Span: 174 ft 2 in , Length: 130 ft 5 in , Height: 48 ft 4 in

, [Captions:] , Above: The C-124 was always on hand after disasters. These people were airlifted to safety after the 1958 earthquake in Armenia., Large clamshell doors in the nose open sideways, allowing vehicles to drive straight into the cargo deck., The crew compartment is located behind the flight deck. It contains a galley, toilet, and bunks for six people., The APS-42 weather radar is fitted in a nose thimble mounting., The internal electric hoists in the cargo bay aft of the wing could lift seven tons of cargo., The wingtip pods generate hot air for de-icing the leading edges of the wing and tail., The huge fuselage cross-section enable the C-124 to carry cargo such as heavy guns, light tanks, and radars, which no previous transport could manage., This aircraft is part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.