The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was a heavy-lift cargo aircraft developed from 1947 to 1949 by Douglas Aircraft. It was powered by four large piston engines and could carry up to 68,500 pounds of cargo in its 77-foot cargo bay. The C-124 was first delivered in 1950 and was used extensively during the Korean War and Vietnam War to transport heavy equipment, vehicles, and troops around the world for the US military. Production of the C-124 continued until 1955, with most being retired from active service by 1974 after being passed to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

1. The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shakey", was a heavy-lift cargo
aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Development
The C-124 was developed from 1947 to 1949 by Douglas Aircraft from a prototype created
from the WWII-design Douglas C-74 Globemaster and based on lessons learned in the Berlin
Airlift. The aircraft was powered by four large Pratt & Whitney R-4360 piston engines
producing 3,800 horsepower each. The C-124s design featured two large clamshell doors
and a hydraulically-actuated ramp in the nose as well as a cargo elevator under the aft
fuselage. The C-124 was capable of carrying 68,500 lb of cargo, and the 77 ft (23.5 m) cargo
bay featured two overhead hoists, each capable of lifting 16,000 lb (7,000 kg). As a cargo
hauler, it could carry tanks, guns, trucks and other heavy equipment, while in its passenger-
carrying role it could carry 200 fully equipped troops on its double decks or 127 litter patients
and their attendants. It was the only aircraft of its time capable of transporting heavy
equipment such as tanks and bulldozers without prior disassembly.
The first flight of a C-124 took place on November 27, 1949. The C-124A was followed in
service by the C-124C, which featured more-powerful engines as well as wingtip-mounted
combustion heaters that provided cabin heating and wing and tail surface deicing, and an
APS-42 weather radar in a distinctive nose "thimble." These latter improvements were
eventually retrofitted to the C-124As.
Operational history
First deliveries of the 448 production aircraft began in May, 1950 and continued until 1955.
The C-124 was operational during the Korean War and also used to assist supply operations
for Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. They performed heavy lift cargo operations for the
US military worldwide, including flights to Southeast Asia, Africa and elsewhere. From 1959 to
1961 they transported Thor missiles across the Atlantic to England. The C-124 was also used
extensively during the Vietnam War.
The USAF Strategic Air Command had C-124 Globemasters in service from 1950 through
1962.
Most were passed to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve by 1970. The first ANG
unit to receive the C-124C was the last Air Force unit to retire their aircraft (s/n 52-1066 &
53-0044) in September, 1974.
General characteristics
 Crew: 6
 Length: 130 ft (40 m)
 Wingspan: 174 ft 1 in (53.06 m)
 Height: 48 ft 4 in (14.7 m)
 Wing area: 2,510 ft� (233.2 m�)
 Empty weight: 100,000 lb (46,000 kg)
 Loaded weight: 195,000 lb (88,000 kg)
 Max takeoff weight: 216,000 lb (98,000 kg)
 Powerplant: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360 "Wasp Major" radial engines, 3,800 hp
(2,800 kW) each

2. Performance
Maximum speed: 320 mph (280 knots, 520 km/h)
Range: 2,175 mi (1,890 nm, 3,500 km)
Service ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,000 m)
Wing loading: 77.7 lb/ft� (379 kg/m�)
Power/mass: 0.078 hp/lb (128 W/kg)