Page 32 - 2021-11 Courier

WHATS UP?

The Lockheed C-5 “Galaxy”, first flown in June 1968, is a strate-
gic transport aircraft and is the largest aircraft in the US Air Force

inventory. Its primary mission is to transport cargo and personnel
for the Department of Defense. Both the nose and aft doors open,
allowing ground crews to simultaneously load and off-load cargo
from both ends, reducing cargo transfer times. The full-width

drive-on ramps at each end enable double rows of vehicles to be transport-
ed. 81 C-5A’s were built before production shifted to the C-5B, 50 of which
were built. Two A-models were modified to C-5C, which removed the upper
rear passenger compartment and modified the aft doors so the aircraft could
carry the space shuttle’s large cargo container. The C-5M is a modernized
version of the legacy C-5 with new engines and electronics among its many
updated features.
Photo and research
by John Vogel

November 2021 Page 32