The C-124 evolved from the earlier Douglas C-74. To facilitate cargo handling, the C-124, or "Old Shakey" as it was affectionately known, featured "clamshell" loading doors and hydraulic ramps in the nose and an elevator under the aft fuselage. It was capable of handling such bulky cargo as tanks, field guns, bull dozers and trucks. It could also be converted into a transport capable of carrying 200 fully-equipped soldiers in its double-decked cabin or 127 litter patients and their attendants.

The first flight by a C-124 took place on Nov. 27, 1949, and deliveries of C-124As began in May 1950. The USAF bought 448 C-124s before production ended in 1955. These planes performed such missions as airlift support in the Far East and Southeast Asia, resupply missions to Antarctica, refugee evacuation in the Congo and mercy flights to Morocco, Chile and elsewhere throughout the world following floods and other natural disasters. Most C-124s were transferred to the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard by 1970 and all were released from active service in mid-1974.

---

SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 174 ft. 1 in.

Length: 130 ft.

Height: 48 ft. 4 in.

Weight: 216,000 lbs. maximum

Armament: None

Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-4360s of 3,800 hp each

Cost: $1,646,000

Serial number: 52-1066

C/N: 43975

Displayed as: 51-135

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 320 mph

Cruising speed: 200 mph

Range: 2,175 miles

Service ceiling: 34,000 ft.