Fairchild C-119K Flying Boxcar
Fairchild · United States · first flew 1947 · transport aircraft
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar is an American twin-engine tactical transport with a distinctive twin-boom layout that facilitates rear cargo loading.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 26.36 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-boom WWII-era US transport
- Large clamshell rear cargo doors
- Twin tail booms supporting T-arrangement empennage
Instantly recognisable by the twin-boom layout with a central cargo pod, high wing, and twin radial engines; the rear fuselage opens with large clamshell doors.
Specifications
- The Fairchild C-119K Flying Boxcar has a length of 26.36 m (86 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 33.3 m (109 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 476 km/h (296 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Evolved from the wartime C-82 Packet, the C-119 first flew in November 1947 and served extensively in the Korean War for cargo drops and casualty evacuation. The K variant added a J85 auxiliary jet pod under the fuselage for improved performance.
Variants
The C-119B/C/F/G are the main piston variants; the C-119K added an auxiliary jet; the AC-119G/K gunship conversions served in Vietnam.
Where you'll see it
The USAF retired its C-119s in the 1970s; the type was also operated by Canada, Italy, Taiwan, and India, with some Indian examples flying into the 1980s.
Related aircraft
- Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
- Fairchild C-119C Flying Boxcar
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- Fairchild C-123K Provider
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