C-133 Cargomaster

The C-133 Cargomaster was the second and largest turboprop transport to be accepted by the United States Air Force. It was the largest cargo plane in the Free World at the time, capable of carrying 100,000 pounds for more than 2,000 nautical miles. Conceived as an air transport for intercontinental ballistic missiles, the C-133 Cargomaster was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company between 1956 and 1961, with fifty aircraft being produced.

The Cargomaster had a spacious cargo area. For many years, it was the only aircraft capable of hauling very large or very heavy cargo. It represented 1940s technology, powered by four 3,600 horsepower radial piston engines. The C-133 made its maiden flight on April 23, 1956. Exhaustive testing, evaluation, and some design refinements eventually resulted in a combat support aircraft that served warfighters well into the Vietnam era.

In 1958, the C-133 began flying Military Air Transport Service air routes throughout the world, and two Cargomasters established transatlantic speed records for transport aircraft on their first flights to Europe. Douglas built and delivered the last aircraft in 1961. NASA used it to drop-test early space capsules and to transport a variety of space products. By 1971, shortly before the introduction of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the Cargomaster was worn out, and all aircraft were withdrawn from service in 1971. The Air Force managed the C-133 fleet to keep as many as possible in service until the C-5 finally entered squadron service.

Specifications (C-133B)
Payload: 110,000 lb (50,000 kg)
Length: 157 ft 6 in (48.0 m)
Wingspan: 179 ft 8 in (54.8 m)
Height: 48 ft 3 in (14.7 m)
Wing area: 2,673.1 ft² (248.34 m²)
Empty weight: 109,417 lb (49,631 kg)
Loaded weight: 275,000 lb (125,000 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 275,000 lb (C-133A) / 286,000 lb (C-133B) (125,000 kg (C-133A) / 130,000 kg (C-133B))
Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney T34-P-9W turboprops, 7,500 shp (5,586 kW) each
Maximum speed: 312 kt (359 mph / 578 km/h)
Cruise speed: 280 kt (322 mph / 519 km/h)
Range: 3,560 nm with 52,000 lb (23,587 kg) payload (4,097 mi / 6,590 km)
Service ceiling: 32,300 ft (9,800 m)

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