Lockheed C-141A Starlifter #2
by Arthur Eggers
Title
Lockheed C-141A Starlifter #2
Artist
Arthur Eggers
Medium
Digital Art - Color Print
Description
On 12 July 1986 the first C-141B Starlifter to be released from Air Force control arrived at Allen C. Thompson Field to begin its new mission with the Mississippi Air National Guard. With a total of eight aircraft, the unit began a new mission in strategic airlift that greatly expanded its global range. On 6 December 1988 the Soviet Republic of Armenia suffered a powerful earthquake. The first Air Guard aircraft to fly to Armenia was a C-141B from the 172AW. Before relief missions ended, the 172AW would fly six missions with its planes and crew and additionally would furnish a crew to fly a U.S. Air Force C-141 whose crew had reached maximum flying hours. In 2000, the C-141C with electronic "glass cockpit" was received. When the original Starlifter model, designated C-141A, entered service in 1965, it could carry 154 passengers, 123 paratroopers or 80 litters for wounded with seating for 16. It was soon discovered that the aircraft's volume capacity was relatively low in comparison to its lifting capacity; it generally ran out of physical space before it hit its weight limit. To correct the perceived deficiencies of the original model and utilize the C-141 to the fullest of its capabilities, the entire fleet of 270 in-service C-141As were stretched, adding needed payload volume. These modified aircraft were designated C-141B. It was estimated that this stretching program was equivalent to buying 90 new aircraft, in terms of increased capacity. The aircraft remained in service for over 40 years until the USAF withdrew the last C-141s from service in 2006. In February 2003 the 172AW retired its last C-141C Starlifter in preparation for the arrival of the wings first C-17 Globemaster III.
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March 18th, 2015
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