Lockheed C-141B Starlifter
Lockheed · United States · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was the US Air Force's primary strategic airlift aircraft for over four decades, the world's first all-jet aircraft designed from the outset as a military freighter. The C-141B was a stretched and modified variant that significantly increased the fleet's cargo capacity.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 51.29 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing swept military transport with T-tail
- Four TF33 turbofans in under-wing pods
- Rear-loading ramp with upswept tail
The T-tail, high-mounted swept wing, four widely spaced turbofan pods, and the distinctive upswept rear fuselage with loading ramp distinguish the C-141 from the C-130 and C-5; the B model's stretched fuselage gives it noticeably better length-to-wing ratio than the original A.
Specifications
- The Lockheed C-141B Starlifter has a length of 51.29 m (168 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 48.74 m (160 ft).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1963, the C-141A entered USAF service in 1965 and played a central role in the Vietnam War airlift. The entire fleet was stretched between 1977 and 1982 to create the C-141B, adding 7.1 metres of fuselage and increasing capacity by about one third. C-141s served in every major US military operation through Desert Storm and into the 2000s.
Variants
The C-141A was the original shorter variant; the C-141B was the stretched version with in-flight refuelling receptacle; the C-141C was a further avionics-updated version; all were eventually replaced by the C-17 Globemaster III.
Where you'll see it
Starlifters served as the USAF's workhorse strategic transport from 1965 to 2006, delivering cargo and troops to Vietnam, the Middle East, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War and the Balkans before retirement.
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