C-27A Spartan
Alenia Aeronautica · Italy · first flew 1970 · transport aircraft
The C-27A Spartan is the USAF designation for ten Alenia G.222 tactical transports acquired in the early 1990s for drug-interdiction airlift support. It served briefly before being transferred to other operators.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Upswept rear fuselage with rear-loading ramp |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High straight wing with large sponsons housing undercarriage
- Twin turboprop engines mounted well forward on high wing
- Upswept rear fuselage with rear-loading ramp
High-mounted straight wing immediately distinguishes it from low-wing transports. The undercarriage sponsons running along the lower fuselage sides are a signature G.222 feature. Twin turboprops sit in prominent nacelles well forward on the wing leading edge.
Specifications
- The C-27A Spartan has a length of 22.7 m (74 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 28.7 m (94 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 540 km/h (336 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The G.222 was developed by Aeritalia (later Alenia) in the 1960s as a STOL military transport, first flying in 1970. Ten aircraft were procured by the US government under the Andean Initiative to support counter-narcotics operations in South America, receiving the military designation C-27A. They were operated by the 310th Airlift Squadron at Howard AFB, Panama. After the drug war mission wound down, most were transferred to friendly nations.
Variants
The parent G.222 spawned the C-27J Spartan, an entirely re-engined and updated development with Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprops. The original G.222 also served with Italy, Nigeria, Somalia, and other air arms in various roles.
Where you'll see it
The USAF C-27As served from 1991 to approximately 1999, based primarily at Howard AFB in Panama. Several were later transferred to operators including the Bolivian Air Force. The more capable C-27J subsequently entered USAF and US Army service as a separate programme.
Related aircraft
- Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy Turbine
- Aero Spacelines Super Guppy Turbine
- Alenia G.222
- Boeing CC-137 Husky
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.