C-141 Starlifter
Lockheed · United States · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was the US Air Force's first purpose-built jet strategic airlifter, with swept wings, four turbofans and a T-tail.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Long slender fuselage with a rear loading ramp |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High swept wing with four podded turbofans, an early jet airlifter
- Tall T-tail with the tailplane mounted atop the fin
- Long slender fuselage with a rear loading ramp
A high swept wing with four slim turbofans plus a prominent T-tail and long fuselage set it apart from the later, fatter C-5 and C-17.
Specifications
- The C-141 Starlifter has a length of 51.3 m (168 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 48.8 m (160 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 910 km/h (565 mph).
- Typical crew: 5-6.
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 service in 1965 and transformed Military Airlift Command's reach. Most were later stretched and fitted with refuelling probes as the C-141B.
Variants
The original C-141A was lengthened into the more capacious C-141B, and a final C-141C upgrade added modern avionics before retirement in 2006.
Where you'll see it
Starlifters flew Vietnam, Gulf War and humanitarian missions, and repatriated American prisoners of war; several survive in US museums, including one preserved at the Air Mobility Command Museum.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed C-141A Starlifter
- Lockheed C-141B Starlifter
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