Lockheed
C-141
Starlifter
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C-141B
Photo: Robert Deering 1991
Midland International Airport (MAF)
Midland, Texas
   
C-141A
Photo: Robert Deering c1972
Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
C-141A
Photo: Robert Deering 1980
Carswell AFB (FWH)
Fort Worth, Texas		  
The C-141A, built between 1963 and 1967, was the USAF's first jet aircraft designed to meet military standards as a troop and cargo carrier. For more than 40 years, the C-141 Starlifter performed numerous airlift missions for the US Air Force. Its great range and high speed enabled the Starlifter to project American military power and humanitarian efforts rapidly across the globe.

The Starlifter originated in a 1959 requirement for a fast, strategic transport aircraft that would serve as a "work horse" for rapidly moving U.S. Army troops anywhere in the world. The C-141 made its maiden flight on Dec. 17, 1963.

The C-141A became operational in April 1965, with the 1501st Air Transport Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., but it became apparent that the aircraft had much greater potential. Therefore, the USAF lengthened the C-141A's fuselage by 23.3 feet and added aerial refueling capability. The first modified "stretch" C-141B arrived at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., in December 1979, and Lockheed completed the modification program in 1982. The C-141B's additional cargo capacity gave the USAF the equivalent of an additional 90 C-141As. Later modifications strengthened the wings and added extra service life to the Starlifter. From 1997 to 2001, C-141Bs were converted to C-141Cs by the addition of advanced avionics.

In July 1986 the USAF began transferring its C-141s to the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces, and the last two Starlifters were retired from service in 2006. Over its four decade career, the Starlifters logged more than 10 million hours, including a record set in 1981 when a C-141 flew 67,000 pounds of cargo non-stop from New Jersey to Saudi Arabia, refueling three times in flight.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  Maximum speed:   500 mph
Length:   Cruising speed: 
Height:   Range:  Unlimited with in-flight refueling
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling: 
Gross Weight:   
Crew:  (Five or six) Two pilots, two flight engineers and one loadmaster and one navigator (added for airdrops); two flight nurses and three medical technicians added for aeromedical evacuation missions
Engines:  Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7 turbofan engines with 20,250 lbs. thrust each
Armament:  None
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  

C141B
Photo: Robert Deering 1981
Carswell AFB (FWH)
Fort Worth, Texas