Douglas C-124C Globemaster
Towards the end of World War II, the USAAF issued a requirement for a large transport capable of carrying tanks. Douglas responded with the C-74 Globemaster, but it was not successful--the aircraft itself was fine, but the end of the war led to the USAAF cancelling the contract. The Berlin Airlift exposed the need for a heavy transport, however, and the now-independent USAF reconsidered. Douglas, by this time, were ready to offer a completely different aircraft, the C-124 Globemaster II.
Though the tail and wings of the C-124 were generally similar to the C-74, the fuselage was much deeper and wider. A rear ramp was included, but also clamshell nose doors, allowing for "all-through" loading. The Globemaster II could indeed carry tanks like the M4 Sherman, and could also carry up to 200 troops and their equipment. The USAF ordered it into production in 1950.
The C-124 was not aesthetically pleasing, but it was a workhorse. Its capacity came in handy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and it had the range to cross the Pacific from Hawaii to Japan. Although it was approaching obsolescence by the time of Vietnam, it was the only USAF transport (aside from the C-133 Cargomaster) capable of carrying oversize loads. Though dubbed "Old Shaky" because of the vibration of the engines through the fuselage, the Globemaster II performed yeoman work through two decades of service.
With the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter entering service in the early 1960s, the C-124 was relegated to Air National Guard units and finally retired in 1974. 448 were built, and nine are known to be left.
This aircraft, 53-0050, was delivered to the USAF in 1955 and spent most of its career at either Dover AFB, Delaware, or McChord AFB, Washington. It was relegated to the 151st Military Airlift Group (Utah ANG) at Salt Lake City in 1969, and retired in 1972. It was sent to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for use as a ground target for US Army artillery tests, but luckily the C-124's size saved it: 53-0050 was used as storage instead. In 1992, when the Hill AFB Museum learned it was almost intact, they acquired it and brought it to Hill for restoration.
Dad took this picture with a disposable camera, so the quality is far from perfect. 53-0050 is mostly bare metal, with white uppersurfaces to reflect heat away from the fuselage, and international orange recognition stripes for Arctic operations. A Military Air Transport Service (MATS) stripe is carried on the tail. 53-0050 is shown at the far end of Hill's airpark against the snowy Wasatch Range; today, it has been moved to the front of the museum entrance.
Douglas C-124C Globemaster
Towards the end of World War II, the USAAF issued a requirement for a large transport capable of carrying tanks. Douglas responded with the C-74 Globemaster, but it was not successful--the aircraft itself was fine, but the end of the war led to the USAAF cancelling the contract. The Berlin Airlift exposed the need for a heavy transport, however, and the now-independent USAF reconsidered. Douglas, by this time, were ready to offer a completely different aircraft, the C-124 Globemaster II.
Though the tail and wings of the C-124 were generally similar to the C-74, the fuselage was much deeper and wider. A rear ramp was included, but also clamshell nose doors, allowing for "all-through" loading. The Globemaster II could indeed carry tanks like the M4 Sherman, and could also carry up to 200 troops and their equipment. The USAF ordered it into production in 1950.
The C-124 was not aesthetically pleasing, but it was a workhorse. Its capacity came in handy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and it had the range to cross the Pacific from Hawaii to Japan. Although it was approaching obsolescence by the time of Vietnam, it was the only USAF transport (aside from the C-133 Cargomaster) capable of carrying oversize loads. Though dubbed "Old Shaky" because of the vibration of the engines through the fuselage, the Globemaster II performed yeoman work through two decades of service.
With the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter entering service in the early 1960s, the C-124 was relegated to Air National Guard units and finally retired in 1974. 448 were built, and nine are known to be left.
This aircraft, 53-0050, was delivered to the USAF in 1955 and spent most of its career at either Dover AFB, Delaware, or McChord AFB, Washington. It was relegated to the 151st Military Airlift Group (Utah ANG) at Salt Lake City in 1969, and retired in 1972. It was sent to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for use as a ground target for US Army artillery tests, but luckily the C-124's size saved it: 53-0050 was used as storage instead. In 1992, when the Hill AFB Museum learned it was almost intact, they acquired it and brought it to Hill for restoration.
Dad took this picture with a disposable camera, so the quality is far from perfect. 53-0050 is mostly bare metal, with white uppersurfaces to reflect heat away from the fuselage, and international orange recognition stripes for Arctic operations. A Military Air Transport Service (MATS) stripe is carried on the tail. 53-0050 is shown at the far end of Hill's airpark against the snowy Wasatch Range; today, it has been moved to the front of the museum entrance.