US Airlifters Since 1945

Cargo and transport aircraft or ‘Trash Haulers’ do not always attract much attention, but the range of types used by the United States and the variety of missions they perform is staggering.

‘C-Planes’ deliver troops, vehicles and equipment to the battlefield – sometimes without landing – carry VIPs and staff officers, conduct Special Forces missions, gather intelligence and even provide fire support to troops on the ground. In future they are being considered as stand-off ‘missile trucks’ and communications relay platforms.

From the C-47 Dakota to the VC-25 ‘Air Force One’, Aviation Archive Issue 79 looks at all these roles and the wide range of aircraft that have carried them out, using historic photographs, detailed cutaway drawings and beautiful colour profile illustrations.