military-aircraft-c-141

The StarLifter was designed to meet a US Air Force requirement for a logistic freighter providing its Military Airlift Command with global reach. The design is of typical air lifter concept, with a high set wing carrying four pylon mounted engine, main landing gear units blistered onto the outside of the fuselage, and a T-tail above the combination of the rear ramp door and clamshell doors that provides straight in access to the hold. The type first flew in December 1965, and C-141As enter service from April 1965. Production totaled 284 aircraft, and service experience soon showed that the StarLifter's hold was generally volume rather than weight limited (becoming full before reaching its weight limit). Between 1976 and 1983, therefore, Lockheed rebuilt the 270 surviving aircraft to C-141B standard with their fuselages stretched by 23 ft. 4 in. this provided the volume for 13 rather than 10 standard pallets, thereby creating the equivalent of 87 more aircraft at far lower overall cost. At the same time an in flight refueling capability was added.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: Lockheed	Length: 168 ft. 3.5 in.
First Flight: December 1965	Height: 39 ft. 3 in.
Model: B	Wing Span: 159 ft. 11 in.
Crew: Four.	Wing Area: 3,228.0 sq. ft.
Nickname: Starlifter	Empty Weight: 148,120 lb.
Basic Role: Logistic heavy transport.	Max. Weight: 343,000 lb.
Other Versions: C-141A initial model. C-141B initial model given additional payload volume and weight by a fuselage stretch.	Payload: 94,525 lb. of freight or 154 troops or 123 paratroops or 80 litters plus 16 attendants.
Principal User: USA.	Propulsion
Performance	Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7 turbofans.
Range: 2,935 miles.	Horsepower: 21,000-lb thrust.
Max. Speed: 566 mph.	No. Of Engines: Four
Ceiling: 41,600 ft.
Climb Rate: 2,920 ft. per minute.