Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Fairchild · United States · first flew 1947 · transport aircraft

The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar is a twin-engine, twin-boom military cargo transport designed for rear-loading of vehicles and bulky freight. Its distinctive twin-tail boom and central cargo pod made it instantly recognisable among post-war transports.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Twin-boom tail with central fuselage pod
T — Tail	Twin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Twin-boom tail with central fuselage pod
Clamshell rear cargo doors
High-wing twin-piston with bulbous fuselage

Identify by the twin-boom configuration, high-set straight wing, and prominent boxy central fuselage pod with clamshell rear doors. The large radial engines in nacelles flush with the wing are also distinctive.

Specifications

The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar has a length of 27.25 m (89 ft).
It has a wingspan of 33.3 m (109 ft).
Its maximum speed is 393 km/h (244 mph).
Typical crew: 4–5.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the wartime C-82 Packet, the C-119 entered US Air Force service in 1949 and flew extensively during the Korean War. It was also used for parachute supply drops and later adapted for electronic warfare and firefighting roles.

Variants

Major variants include the C-119B through C-119G series with progressively uprated piston engines, and the C-119K which added auxiliary jet pods under the wings for improved performance.

Where you'll see it

Widely operated by the USAF, US Marine Corps, and numerous allied air forces including India, Italy, and Belgium; Indian Air Force C-119s saw action in the 1965 and 1971 wars.

Related aircraft

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