Douglas C-74 Globemaster
C-74 Globemaster | |
---|---|
C-74 Globemaster at Long Beach, California. | |
Role | Strategic airlifter |
Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
First flight | 5 September 1945 |
Retired | 1969 (last operational flight) |
Status | Retired – 1959 (military), 1969 (civilian) |
Primary users | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Produced | 1945–1947 |
Number built | 14 (one converted to C-124 prototype) |
Developed into | Douglas C-124 Globemaster II |
The Douglas C-74 Globemaster was a
Although not produced in large numbers, the C-74 did fill the need for a long-range strategic airlifter, in which capacity the subsequent Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was used by the Air Force for many years.
Design and development
The Douglas Aircraft Company began studies at their
This first flight of a C-74 occurred at 15:09 hrs. on 5 September 1945 at
The second built, 42-65403, c/n 13914, crashed during flight testing on 5 August 1946 at Torrance, California, when it lost a wing during an overload dive test. All four crew bailed out successfully.[5] The fourth aircraft was diverted to a static test article at Wright Field, Ohio, up and virtually every component was tested to destruction between August 1946 and November 1948. This was done in order to determine the individual components' ability to withstand design loads. The fifth C-74 built was modified to be a prototype for the C-124 Globemaster II, which used the same wing as the C-74, but used a much larger fuselage. This newer aircraft quickly superseded the C-74 in service.[4]
Douglas had every intention to adapt the aircraft into a civil airliner once the war ended.
With the need for military aircraft greatly reduced by the end of World War II, the order for 50 military aircraft was canceled in January 1946 after production of only 14 aircraft. This cancellation also ended plans to build an airliner version of the C-74 for the civilian market, as the limited military production run increased the cost per civilian aircraft to over $1,412,000 and Pan American canceled its order. Douglas then canceled the DC-7 designation. The DC-7 designation was later used for a completely different civilian airliner project in the early 1950s, having no relationship to the C-74.[4][6]
Operational history
Of the 14 Globemasters built, 11 actually saw operational service. All were used by the
The C-74 had a crew of five, including pilot, copilot, radio operator, navigator, and flight engineer. Crew rest quarters were included for long-duration missions. Passageways were provided in the wing to permit the flight engineer to perform servicing and repairs while in flight. It could carry 125 fully equipped troops, 115 litter patients with their medical attendants, or up to 50,000 lb (22,700 kg) of cargo. The cargo bay had twin hoists that could be moved on a rail up and down the bay. They could be used to drop a removable belly section to ease loading of cargoes, reducing the need for specialized cargo handling equipment.[4]
The small numbers of C-74s built meant that the aircraft's service was limited, but it gave the Air Force experience with the operation and utility of large transport aircraft.
Service introduction
The "C-74 squadron" was activated along with the "C-74 Project" on 5 September 1946. They were attached to the 554th AAF Base Unit located at Memphis Municipal Airport, Tennessee. The 554th was a part of the USAAF Air Transport Command. The C-74 Squadron's mission was:[4]
- To conduct non-scheduled, nonstop flights from Fairfield-Suisun (Later Travis Air Force Base) to Washington, D.C. The flights would be cargo only, no passengers were authorized.
- To establish a flight program which would accumulate 300 hours of service time on the Globemaster's original R-4360-27 engines in the shortest possible time
- To gather and record all technical data from tests performed on the C-74
- To train sufficient crew members and aircraft mechanics with which to conduct these tests. The R-4360 engine was earmarked for the B-35 and B-36 so Air Materiel Command was especially anxious to see the results of the squadron's use of the aircraft.
- Establish loading techniques and procedures
- Establish proper tie-down procedures.
- Establish air evacuation techniques.
- Determine other data concerning loading, offloading of cargo.
This project was designed to be a "shakedown" of the aircraft prior to entering operational service. Training of personnel to conduct this test was to have been accomplished by aircrews and technicians initially C-74 trained at Wright Field, Ohio, and also at the Douglas facility in Long Beach, California. Approximately 30 transcontinental flights were planned.[4]
The squadron was moved to Morrison Field, Florida in October 1946. This was due to the fact that the runways at Memphis were not stressed to take the large gross weight of the C-74, resulting in some minor cracking to the concrete surface. Operations included two weekly trips from Morrison Field to
In 1947, the 2nd and 3rd Air Transport Groups (Provisional) were formed and the C-74 was declared operationally ready. Humanitarian missions were flown in 1947 that included flood relief to Florida, and Hurricane relief for the southern area of the U.S.[4]
MATS operations
Morrison Field was inactivated on 1 July 1947, and both provisional units were inactivated, the aircraft and support personnel and equipment being reassigned to
Once in operational use, C-74s began to be used on scheduled MATS overseas routes through the late 1940s and mid-1950s:[8]
- "Panamanian", between Albrook AFB, Panama
- "Puerto Rican", between Brookley AFB and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico
- "Hawaiian", between Brookley AFB and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, with a stop at Fairfield-Suisun (later Travis) AFB, California.
- "Johnathan", between Brookley AFB, , Alaska.
- Brookley AFB and French Morocco; Wheelus Air Base, Libya
- Brookley AFB and Keflavik Airport, Iceland; RAF Manston, England.
Additionally, logistic support flights for Strategic Air Command (SAC), and Tactical Air Command (TAC) saw the Globemaster in North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean, and within the United States. Two C-74s were used to support the first TAC Republic F-84 Thunderjet flight across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. SAC also continued to use the Globemasters to rotate Boeing B-47 Stratojet Medium Bombardment Groups on temporary duty in England and Morocco as part of their REFLEX operation.[4]
Berlin Airlift
During the
During the construction of
After six weeks of Vittles flights, the Globemaster returned to Brookley AFB. Reportedly, the Soviet Union complained that the Globemaster could be used as a bomber via the open elevator well. The fact that the runways in Berlin were not stressed for the airlifter's weight and the aircraft was not compatible with the corridor's scheduling were other factors considered for its withdrawal.[7]
Support for the Berlin Airlift by the C-74 changed to flying regularly scheduled flights between the U.S. and Western Germany. This mission was called the "Goliath" and was constantly transporting C-54 engines and parts for use in the airlift. Cargo arriving in Western Germany was flown to Berlin in smaller C-47 Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster aircraft.[7]
Experience with the Berlin Airlift demonstrated that the new United States Air Force needed a heavy strategic airlift capability, which led to the development of the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II.
Korean War
The invasion of the
During the seven months between July 1950 and January 1951, the Globemasters transported 2,486 patients, 550 passengers, and 128,000 lb (58,100 kg) of cargo from
Retirement
By 1952, the C-74 began to experience shortages of spare parts and increasing maintenance problems. It was recognized by late 1954 that the deterioration of the C-74's components was progressing more rapidly than predicted. Plans were made for the eventual retirement of the Air Force's only fleet of Globemasters. In June 1955, the 6th ATS was merged with the 3rd ATS and was flying operational missions with them. On 1 July, the 6th ATS (Heavy) was inactivated and its C-74s and crews were transferred to the 1703rd ATG's 3rd ATS (Heavy). On 1 November 1955, the C-74s were placed in flyable storage at Brookley AFB while the group waited for instructions as to the disposition of the aircraft.[7]
During the first three months of 1956, the 11 remaining C-74s were officially removed from the Military Air Transport Service's inventory and were flown one by one to
Most of the C-74s in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB were scrapped in 1965, although four ended in civilian hands, mostly owned by Aeronaves de Panama (holding company for "Air Systems"). The
- 42-65404 was sold on the civilian market as N3182G. Later operated by Aeronaves de Panama as HP-385 in Europe and the Middle East crashing near Marseilles on 9 October 1963, with six on board killed.[10] After the crash, Aeronaves de Panama's licence to operate from Denmark was withdrawn, and the airline went out of business.[6][11] A layman's account of travel on aircraft 42–65404, christened 'Heracles'[12] by its owners, in the months before its fatal crash is offered by veterinarian/author James Herriot who was on board the aircraft. In monitoring the health of a cargo of 40 pedigree Jersey cattle cows and heifers from Gatwick/London to Istanbul on 8–9 August 1963, he noted its bald tires, worn instruments, jammed loading hoist and undercarriage which did not properly retract.[N 1] The starboard inboard engine caught fire en route to Istanbul, and the crippled aircraft barely cleared the Alps on a return trip to Copenhagen for repairs. In October 1963, 42-65404 collided with the top of a low hill five miles after takeoff from Marseille with the loss of all her crew.[13]
- 42-65408 was sold on the civilian market on 24 March 1959 as N8199H, owned by Akros Dynamic. It was flown to Cuba in an attempt to sell it to the new Castro government. It later was moved to Panama as Aeronaves de Panama HP-367. It flew in Europe and to Middle East frequently. Abandoned after the airline went out of business in 1963, and dismantled at Milan, Italy in August 1972; it was the last surviving Globemaster.[6]
- 42-65409 was sold on the civilian market in 1956 as N3181G. After reconditioning at FIAT in Turin. Later moved to Turin airport, it caught fire while on public display on 11 June 1970 and again on 24 September 1970 while it was being salvaged, this time killing two salvage workers.[6]
None of the Aeronaves de Panama C-74s ever came to Panama. Instead they were intended for cattle flights from Copenhagen. For a detailed account of these operations, read Flying Cowboys by Tad Houlihan.
- 42-65412 was sold on the civilian market in 1956 as N3183G, but was dismantled at Long Beach, California in 1964.[6]
C-74 production
Serial # | Produced | Retired |
---|---|---|
42-65402 | October 1945 | October 1954 |
42-65404 | July 1946 | May 1954 |
42-65406 | September 1946 | September 1954 |
42-65407 | February 1946 | July 1954 |
42-65408 | September 1946 | October 1954 |
42-65409 | January 1947 | October 1954 |
42-65410 | March 1946 | March 1954 |
42-65411 | December 1946 | September 1953 |
42-65412 | February 1947 | October 1954 |
42-65413 | February 1947 | February 1954 |
42-65414 | March 1947 | February 1954 |
42-65415 | April 1947 | January 1954 |
42-65416 through 42-65451 cancelled[4]
Operators
The following USAAF/USAF units flew the C-74 Globemaster:[8][14]
Specifications (C-74)
Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1949-50,[15] McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I[16]
General characteristics
- Crew: 13
- Capacity: 125 troops, 115 stretchers with medical staff, or up to 48,150 lb (21,840 kg) of cargo
- Length: 124 ft 1.5 in (37.833 m)
- Wingspan: 173 ft 3 in (52.81 m)
- Height: 43 ft 9 in (13.34 m)
- Wing area: 2,510 sq ft (233 m2)
- Empty weight: 86,172 lb (39,087 kg)
- Gross weight: 154,128 lb (69,911 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,018 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 11,000 US gal (42,000 L; 9,200 imp gal) in six centre-section integral tanks
- Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-69 Wasp Major/-29s /-49s 28-cylinder air-cooled 4-row radial piston engines, 3,250 hp (2,420 kW) each
- Propellers: 4-bladed Hamilton-Standard or Curtiss-Electricfully-feathering, reversible constant-speed propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 328 mph (528 km/h, 285 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
- Cruise speed: 212 mph (341 km/h, 184 kn)
- Range: 3,400 mi (5,500 km, 3,000 nmi)
- Ferry range: 7,250 mi (11,670 km, 6,300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 21,300 ft (6,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,605 ft/min (13.23 m/s)
- Wing loading: 61.4 lb/sq ft (300 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 0.084 hp/lb (0.138 kW/kg)
See also
Related development
Related lists
- List of military aircraft of the United States
References
Notes
- ^ A brief account of a cattle flight from London to Istanbul can be found in James Herriot's, The Lord God Made Them All; Chapter 29.
Citations
- ^ Williams 1995, p. 43.
- ^ Williams 1995, pp. 40–41
- ^ United Press, "Douglas Globemaster Passes First Tests", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Thursday 6 September 1945, Volume 52, page 4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Tambini
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-74 Globemaster I 42-65403, Torrance, California." Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved: 8 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g "USAF Globemaster Serial Number Search." cgibin.rcn.com. Retrieved: 26 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Williams 1980
- ^ a b Ulanoff
- ^ Williams 1999
- ^ "Accident Description." aviation-safety.net. Retrieved: 26 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Aeronaves de Panama." flightglobal.com. Retrieved: 26 November 2010.
- ^ "Aviation Photo #0153060: Douglas C-74 Globemaster I - Untitled (Aeronaves de Panama)". Airliners.net.
- ^ Herriot 1981, pp. 266–275, 292–309, 336–342.
- ^ USAFHRA Document Search, C-74 Globemaster
- ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1949). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1949-50. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. p. 216c.
- ISBN 0870214284.
Bibliography
- Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-00050-1.
- Herriot, James. The Lord God Made Them All. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981. ISBN 978-0-31249-834-4.
- Tambini, Anthony J. Douglas Jumbo's: The Globemaster. Kerry, Ireland: Branden Books, 1999. ISBN 0-8283-2044-6.
- Ulanoff, Stanley M. MATS: The Story of the Military Air Transport Service. New York: The Moffa Press, 1964.
- Williams, Nicholas M. Aircraft of the Military Air Transport Service, 1948–1966. Hinckley, UK: Midland, 1999. ISBN 978-1-85780-087-6.
- Williams, Nicholas M. "Bug-Eyed Monster: The Douglas Model 415A, the first Globemaster and DC-7." ISSN 0143-5450.
- Williams, Nicholas M. "Globemaster: The Douglas C-74". Journal of the American Aviation Historical Society, Volume 25, Number 2, Summer 1980.