Before the C-130 there was the C-82 and C-119. These aircraft were developed specifically to haul equipment and troops into combat zones, unload them as quickly as possible and then get out. Designed to be easier to load and off-load than the current C-46s and C-47s, the first of these, the C-82 Packet first flew in September of 1944 and was to be produced by both Fairchild and North American. Though one was flown to Saipan later in the war, it never entered widespread service until the conflict had ended. North American eventually built only 3 while the rest of the production contract was whittled down to just over 200 aircraft.

While the Packet was a good airplane, it had its deficiencies and that was that it was rather underpowered. Pilots also wanted a better cockpit, so Fairchild developed a slightly larger version that was developed into the C-119 Boxcar. Also developed was the single XC-120 in which the cargo section was a detachable pod. The idea being that prepared pods could simply be attached to the airframe ready to go and no lengthy loading time was needed. The idea had merit, but not enough to justify a new aircraft and the costs that would go along with it.

The C-119 was eventually to be the main troop carrier in Korea, with the French in Indochina, and also by the US in Vietnam. It was successfully used by many other nations including Italy, India, Canada and China(Taiwan). In fact, the Chinese kept their C-119s until 1997 when they were replaced by C-130s. After being used by the USAF, many of these planes found there way into ANG and Reserve squadrons where they soldiered on until the late 1960s.

The author has done an extensive job researching both aircraft. He provides full development and operational histories of both types. This includes the gunships, special ops planes, and foreign users. There are also sections on civilian users of both types. There is a section on unit histories and markings carried by the aircraft as well as extensive appendices on production numbers, serials, accidents, foreign users and civil registered aircraft.

Frankly, I doubt if you will find a more extensive or well-researched book on the type anywhere. This is an absolute 'must have' for your shelves.

December 2005

Review book courtesy of , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has nearly 300,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.