Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

The Fairchild C-119 " Flying Boxcar" is a Transport aircraft military American designed by Fairchild just after the Second world war. It is characterized by a twin-boom empennage which facilitates the loading and unloading. Its impressive transport capacity for the time was worth its nickname of flying coach or " to him; Flying Boxcar". Of 1947 with 1955, more than 1100 specimens were built, and used by ten different countries.

History

C-119 was conceived at the beginning like a version improved of the C-82 Packet of the same manufacturer: the cockpit was moved top of the compartment forwards apparatus to improve the visibility of the pilot, the compartment of transport was increased and reinforced to improve the capacity of carrying, and of the more powerful engines were installed because C-82 proved seriously under-motorized.

Indicated XC-82B, the prototype initially made its first flight in November 1947 and the first C-119B left the chains of the factory Fairchild of Hagerstown in the Maryland in December 1949. Able to carry a load of 13,6 tons, 64 parachutists or 35 casualties laid down, it is equipped with equipment innovating like a system of de-icing and a navigation system LORAN.

From 1948 to 1955, Fairchild builds 1112 specimens of C-119 to equip the US Air Force, the US Navy and the Marines Body. Countries like the Canada, the Belgium, the Italy, and the India also become purchasers from there. During its career, C-119 seems to have suffered from several problems on the level of the engines and their propellers, which involved a rate of rather high accident.

Various versions of C-119 will be built which, separately the versions intended for a particular use, are characterized primarily by modifications on the level from the engines and/or propellers, like some light modifications of structure. Thus in 1951, Henry John Kaiser obtains a contract to build 71 C-119F been driven by engines Wright R-3350-85 Cyclone which, although deprived of Turbo-compresseur, provide the same power as the Pratt & Whitney R-4360-20

Into 1967,26 specimens of the C-119G are converted into Gunship AC-119G Shadow and as much into AC-119K Stinger . The AC-119 are armed with 4 machine-guns of 7,62mm drawing by ports on the side, designers for the shooting of night and various electronic systems. The AC-119K lays out in addition to 2 guns of 20 mm, a radar, and 2 engines General Electric J85 to facilitate takeoff.

Some C-119 always currently fly, operated by private companies. Some are used for the fire protection fight.

Engagements

C-119 was used by the the United States of America during the Guerre of Korea and the Guerre of Vietnam, the version gunship AC-119 being implemented during the Guerre of Vietnam only.

Of C-119 of the company Civil Air (CAT) Transport are also used to help the France during the Guerre of Indo-China: these planes carry the French rosettes but in fact are flown by American under control of the CIA. They play a big role during the battle of Bataille of Điện Biên Phủ.

The India used its C-119 in particular during the Third War indo-Pakistani.

Alternatives

  • XC-119A : prototype, initially indicated XC-82B.

  • C-119B: version improved of the C-119A with a broader fuselage and four-bladed propellers (55 specimens)
  • C-119C: version improved of the C-119B with minor modifications
  • C-119F: version improved of the C-119C (141 specimens including 71 built by Kaiser-Frazer Corp)
  • C-119G: version improved of the C-119F (480 specimens)
  • AC-119G " Shadow" : version Gunship for the support of the troops to the Vietnam.
  • JC-119G: version dedicated to the recovery of the satellites of the program " Discoverer".
  • YC-119H "Skyvan" : prototype equipped with increased wings.
  • C-119J: version with a working backdoor in flight (62 modified planes)
    • EC-119J: version intended for the observation of the satellites (4 planes)
    • MC-119J: version intended for the medical evacuation.
    • VC-119J: Italian version dedicated to the transport of VIP.
  • C-119K : version equipped with engines of assistance (5 modified planes)
  • AC-119K " Stinger" : version Gunship improved of the AC-119G.
  • RC-119L: version of recognition
  • C-119 " Jet-Pack" : version equipped with an engine to the top of the fuselage.

  • R4Q-1 : designation of the C-119B/C in US Navy and the US Navy Body

  • R4Q-2: designation of the C-119F in US Navy and the US Navy Body

Country users

See too

Similar planes

  • Northern 2501 '' Noratlas ''

External bonds

  • C-119 on GlobalSecurity.org
  • warbirdalley.com C-119 on WarbirdAlley.com
  • a perso page with many information on C-119
  • C-119 on the site of the Belgian air force

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