Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Grumman C-1A
136790
| | Grissom Air Museum | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
1. Grumman C-1A Marker
Manufacture: Grumman
Designation: C-1A
Serial Number: 136790
Official name: Trader or Cod (Carrier onboard delivery)
Function: Naval Cargo Plane. Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD)
Crew: 2, Pilot, Co-pilot. On special missions, a 3rd "Cargo Master" would be assigned.
Wingspan: 69,6"
Length: 42'2"
Height: 16,3"
Power plant: 2 x Wright R-1820-82WA Cyclone 9-cylinder radial piston engine, 1,525hp each Empty weight: 18,750lbs
Max T/O weight: 29,150lbs
Range: 1,300 miles
Armament: None
Number Built: 87
Year built: Our C-1A, 1957
Year retired: Our C-1A, September, 30 1988
Mission:
The C-1 Trader fulfilled its rather inglorious obligation to transfer personnel and supplies to aircraft carriers at sea throughout the Cold War. During the Vietnam War era sailors routinely went to sea for a six month cruise and always welcomed the COD, with her fresh delivery of mail from girlfriends and family. To extend her usefulness, the Trader was also put into action as an all-weather trainer and helped USN aviators get their first taste of carrier operations in all conditions. For all her service, the Trader
this page online
Our C-1A:
Like all C-1As, our Trader was constructed by Grumman and designated TF-1. She was assigned to the Navy's 7th Fleet where she performed regular duties, including COD missions, and training pilots from 1957 until sometime in 1967. (In 1962, all TF-1s were re-designated as C-1As.) Our Trader entered the Viet Nam war sometime in 1967 when she was assigned to the carrier USS Hancock. There she made countless flights delivering supplies, mail, and replacements as she carried away officers and sailors on rotation as well as the occasional wounded. This airplane arrived aboard the USS Independence in 1979 and performed routine transport duties until 1983, when she was transferred to Fleet Logistics Squadron VRC-40, Norfolk VA. She was recalled to carrier duty one last time in 1984 on board the nuclear carrier USS Nimitz. The hard working Trader came ashore for good in 1986, and was retired from the US Navy on September 30th, 1988. This aircraft
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
2. Grumman C-1A Marker
This exhibit is the property of the US Navy and maintained through your participation in the Grissom Air Museum donor program.
Erected by Grissom Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1988.
Location. 40° 40.205′ N, 86° 7.816′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 W Hoosier Blvd, Peru IN 46970, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cessna U-3A (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); B-58 Hustler (a few steps from this marker); Republic Aircraft F-84F (within shouting distance of this marker); Boeing KC-97L (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed D-21 (within shouting distance of this marker); Boeing B-47B (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairchild C-119G (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
