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Scale 1:108  Length 18.5"  Wingspan 18"
Scale 1:150 Length 13.5"  Wingspan 12.8"

Photography by Action Asia Photo
© 2002-8 Action Asia Photo - All Rights Reserved
www.actionasiaphoto.com

The C-141A, built between 1963 and 1967, was Air Mobility Command's first jet aircraft designed to meet military standards as a troop and cargo carrier. The development of the C-141B was the most cost-effective method of increasing AMC's airlift capability. The C-141B is 23 feet longer than the -A giving a one-third increase in cargo capacity which was the same as adding 30% to the C-141A  fleet but at much lower cost.

The Starlifter fulfilled the vast spectrum of airlift requirements through its ability to airlift combat forces over long distances using in-flight re-fueling and delivering those forces and their equipment either by air, land or airdrop; then re-supplying the forces; and, finally, transporting the sick and wounded from the hostile area to advanced medical facilities. The aircraft uses a changeable cargo compartment and can transition from rollers on the floor for palletized cargo to a smooth floor for wheeled vehicles to aft facing seats or sidewall canvas seats for the wounded - quickly and easily to handle over 30 different missions. The C-141 was the first jet transport from which US Army paratroopers jumped and the first to land in the Antarctic. The C-141 continues to be the backbone AMC's military airlift capability.

The youngest Sixty-three C-141Bs taken from the ARC were modified into C-141Cs with "glass cockpits" that had the old dials and knobs replaced with computerized touch screens and digital readouts.  Each received the All Weather Flight Control System consisting of a digital autopilot, advanced avionics display, and Ground Collision Avoidance System, Defensive Systems, Fuel Quantity Indicating System and GPS modifications. The modifications aim to preserve the remaining force for effective use through 2006.  Thirteen aircraft received additional SOLL II upgrades under the Special Operations Forces Improvement program. The program was finished by August 1999. The modified aircraft are termed the "ARC Core 63."

In September 2004, nearly all active duty USAF  C-141 units left service. The last eight C-141 aircraft still flying, all from the Wright-Patterson AFB based 445th Airlift Wing,  flew medical evacuation missions to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following the announcement of the retirement of these last eight C-141s, the Hanoi Taxi (tail number 66-0177), began  a series of flights to give veterans, some of whom had flown from captivity in this aircraft, the chance to experience a final flight before it's retirement. On the morning of Saturday, May 6th, 2006, the Hanoi Taxi made its final landing at Wright-Patterson AFB.  Following a formal retirement ceremony, the last C-141 became a permanent static exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Crew: 2 pilots, 2 flight engineers, 1 loadmaster and 1 navigator (added for airdrops). 2 nurses and 3 medical technicians added for medical missions.
Length:      168 ft
Wingspan: 160 ft
Speed:        500 mph at 25,000 feet
Ceiling:      41,000 ft
Range:       Unlimited with in-flight refueling
Engines:     4 P7W turbofans 20,250 pounds thrust each
Load:         Either 200 troops, 155 paratroops, 103 litters and 14 seats, or 68,725 lbs of cargo

Related Links
Global Security: C-141 Starlifter