I volunteer at the RAO (Retirement Activity Office at Tinker A.F.B. OK.
On Friday Mornings from 0900 Hrs till noon. Mostly I just answer the phone to help other retirees,(All Militay retirees, not just U.S.A.F. Retirees)
1960-1964, C-82 Packet
From Year 1960
To Year 1964
Personal Memories
Tinker
Image
C-82 Packet Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Developed by Fairchild, the aircraft was first flown in 1944. 223 were built, with most used for cargo and troop transport, although a few were used for paratroop operations or towing gliders. During its brief operational life several C-82 Packets were utilized during the Berlin Airlift, primarily bringing assembled vehicles into the city.
Only moderately successful, the C-82 was designed to be used in a number of roles, including cargo carrier, troop transport, ambulance airplane and glider tow. Problems surfaced almost immediately as the aircraft was found to be underpowered and its airframe inadequate for the heavy lifting it was designed to do. As a result the Air Force turned to Fairchild for a solution to the C-82's shortcomings. A redesign was quickly performed under the designation XC-82B, which would overcome all of the C-82A's initial problems. First flown in 1947, the XC-82B would go into production as the C-119B Flying Boxcar.
General characteristics
* Crew: three * Capacity: 42 paratroops or 34 stretchers * Length: 77 ft 1 in (23.50 m) * Wingspan: 106 ft 6 in (32.47 m) * Height: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m) * Wing area: 1,400 ft² (130.9 m²) * Empty weight: 16,530 lb (12,045 kg) * Useful load: 42,000 lb (19,050 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 54,000 lb (24,545 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-85 radials, 2,100 hp (1,567 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 250 mph (400 km/h) * Range: 2,140 miles (3,424 km) * Service ceiling 27,000 ft (8,232 m) * Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (488 m/min) * Wing loading: 30 lb/ft² (146 kg/m²) * Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)
