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Post by woodvalewarrior on Nov 18, 2010 23:29:31 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on Nov 19, 2010 0:03:02 GMT 1
What a little gem. The twin boom aircraft pictured is a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. One is clearly 18243, full U.S.A.F. fiscal year serial of 51-8243, built as a C-119F, with many converted to C-119G. 51-8243 was retired to MASDC 16.6.66 and declared surplus 18.6.69. In the early 50's it was standard for the 'last 3' to be carried in large numbers on the nose, so the one loading paratroops was very possibly 51-825* (the open door covers the last digit). Want to find out more about the C-119, see www.wikipedia.orgThe layout/shape of the American Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was similar that that of the earlier Fairchild C-82 Packet, and repeated by the French Nord 2501 Noratlas, the later 4 engined British Armstrong Whitworth/Hawker Siddeley AW/HS. 650 Argosy and the smaller Israeli IAI Arava. The use of twin booms to support the tail allowed a large rear freight door that on some marks could be opened in flight. The film clip appears to show the rear door removed completely to drop jeeps, but in place closed on the one used to drop paratroops. The USAF used them in Europe in the '50s prior to the C-130 Hercules. Last C-119s in Europe were those of the Italian Air Force, but they were also operated by the Belgian and Norwegian Air Forces. Great find. |
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