Fairchild C-82A Packet
Midway through World War II, the USAAF realized that both the C-46 Commando and C-47 Skytrain had difficulty in loading heavier cargo, such as jeeps and artillery pieces: both aircraft sat relatively high off the ground, meaning cargo had to be unloaded and pushed up into the fuselage. Fairchild was awarded the contract for an aircraft that would be easier to load, and could carry more equipment than either the C-46 or C-47. The result was the C-82A Packet.
The Packet was designed with a split tail and high-mounted wings, which provided plenty of fuselage cargo space. By setting the fuselage low to the ground and clamshell cargo doors in the rear, trucks could offload directly into the Packet and equipment could be driven up into the fuselage. The Packet was placed in production, but the first Packet did not fly until September 1944, and deliveries began only when the war was virtually over.
The USAF immediately learned that the C-82 was not as good as hoped: it was underpowered, which meant it could not get off the ground with a full cargo load; it was a moot point in any case, since the airframe could not handle a full load. Fairchild began working on a new variant with uprated engines, a larger fuselage, and a strengthened airframe; the result was practically a new aircraft, which would become the C-119 Flying Boxcar.
Because the C-119 would prove to be a far better aircraft, C-82 production was limited to 223, and it lasted in USAAF/USAF service for only eight years. Many were then sold off to transport companies, most in South America, though TWA used Packets to move replacement engines around the United States for a time. Today, seven Packets remain in museums.
This C-82A, 48-0581, was assigned to an Alaska-based transport squadron, possibly one of five assigned to the 57th Fighter Wing at Elmendorf AFB. It was retired in 1955 and sold to a civil operator, and the aircraft would remain in Alaska as a bush transport until 1985, during which time it survived a crash landing. Sold to warbird collector Darryl Greenamyer in 1988, he donated it to the National Museum of the USAF. It was restored and placed on display in 1990, and went through another restoration during 2013 to repair damage sustained during a long time in open storage. Today it is displayed in the Research and Development hangar at the NMUSAF. 48-0581 is finished in bare metal, with international red wings and tails for Arctic operations.
Fairchild C-82A Packet
Midway through World War II, the USAAF realized that both the C-46 Commando and C-47 Skytrain had difficulty in loading heavier cargo, such as jeeps and artillery pieces: both aircraft sat relatively high off the ground, meaning cargo had to be unloaded and pushed up into the fuselage. Fairchild was awarded the contract for an aircraft that would be easier to load, and could carry more equipment than either the C-46 or C-47. The result was the C-82A Packet.
The Packet was designed with a split tail and high-mounted wings, which provided plenty of fuselage cargo space. By setting the fuselage low to the ground and clamshell cargo doors in the rear, trucks could offload directly into the Packet and equipment could be driven up into the fuselage. The Packet was placed in production, but the first Packet did not fly until September 1944, and deliveries began only when the war was virtually over.
The USAF immediately learned that the C-82 was not as good as hoped: it was underpowered, which meant it could not get off the ground with a full cargo load; it was a moot point in any case, since the airframe could not handle a full load. Fairchild began working on a new variant with uprated engines, a larger fuselage, and a strengthened airframe; the result was practically a new aircraft, which would become the C-119 Flying Boxcar.
Because the C-119 would prove to be a far better aircraft, C-82 production was limited to 223, and it lasted in USAAF/USAF service for only eight years. Many were then sold off to transport companies, most in South America, though TWA used Packets to move replacement engines around the United States for a time. Today, seven Packets remain in museums.
This C-82A, 48-0581, was assigned to an Alaska-based transport squadron, possibly one of five assigned to the 57th Fighter Wing at Elmendorf AFB. It was retired in 1955 and sold to a civil operator, and the aircraft would remain in Alaska as a bush transport until 1985, during which time it survived a crash landing. Sold to warbird collector Darryl Greenamyer in 1988, he donated it to the National Museum of the USAF. It was restored and placed on display in 1990, and went through another restoration during 2013 to repair damage sustained during a long time in open storage. Today it is displayed in the Research and Development hangar at the NMUSAF. 48-0581 is finished in bare metal, with international red wings and tails for Arctic operations.