Douglas C-133 Cargomaster
Douglas · United States · first flew 1956 · transport aircraft
The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster was a large four-turboprop strategic cargo aircraft that served the USAF Military Air Transport Service, notable for being the only aircraft capable of air-transporting early American ballistic missiles in assembled form.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 48 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Largest American turboprop cargo aircraft — could carry Atlas and Titan ICBMs
- Four Pratt & Whitney T34 turboprops on high-mounted wings with distinctive large spinners
- Clamshell rear loading doors and a cavernous unpressurised cargo hold
Very large high-wing four-turboprop aircraft with distinctive large-diameter propeller spinners, a slab-sided fuselage with clamshell rear doors, and an overall appearance of bulk and utility.
Specifications
- The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster has a length of 48 m (157 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 54.77 m (180 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 579 km/h (360 mph).
- Typical crew: 4-8.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ordered in 1952 to provide the USAF with a large strategic transport capability, the C-133 first flew in April 1956 and entered service in 1957. Its enormous unpressurised hold could accommodate an Atlas ICBM in its carrying container, which no other aircraft could manage. Fifty aircraft were built in two main variants. The C-133 suffered from a series of unexplained crashes thought to be related to propeller vibration and structural fatigue, resulting in the type's early retirement in 1971.
Variants
The C-133A was the initial production variant; the C-133B featured modified clamshell doors to better accommodate ICBM containers.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the USAF Military Air Transport Service (MATS) from 1957 to 1971, primarily at Travis AFB, California.
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