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Subject: Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages
[email protected]    5/13/2001 5:02:25 AM
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Max    RE:Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages   8/22/2002 8:32:39 PM
I'm sold on the idea of using comercialy designed planes being used for milatary transport. I'd also like to see them modified to become weapons platforms. These big planes have sevice records that would make any bomber comander green with envy and can carry a lot of weight a very long distance. That's why they are used for air tanker platforms. It probably wouldn't be very difficult or expensive to convert them with rotary bomb racks, missle pods or rear cargo doors for parachute drops. How many Daisey Cutters could a 747 carry? How many paratroopers could a 747 carry? I'm sure at least 4 times as much as a C-130. Since these planes could travel 10 hours non-stop some commander is going to use that ability so those airline seats, bathrooms and galleys are going to be welcomed all the way to the end of the drop zone. Large amounts of fresh US troops air-dropped from CONUS to anywhere in the world withing hours is going to weight heavily on the mind of dictators throughout the world. Plus I'd kill to see a 747 decked out in camo and loaded up with bomb racks.
 
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giblets    RE:Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages   11/22/2002 3:48:23 AM
Rather Ironic really, the 747 was designed as a transprot for the USAF back in the 60's, a competition that was eventually won by the C-5 Galaxy! The hump was designed so that that the entire floor could be used for cargo, and the crew in the hump. Incidentally, don't he army use 'tower air' to transport their troops? Could'nt be that difficult to put some large cargo doors and hang lines for paratroopers in.
 
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macawman    RE:Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages   11/22/2002 3:40:02 PM
Using a 747 military version to drop troops would be putting a lot of eggs in one basket for a combat jump. Rigged for two and 1/3 decks that would be over to 300 troopers. The 747 is 60's technology, the 767 can carry the same load with two engines inplace of four. The big drawback for the 747 is the requirement for 10,ooo ft plus runways that are wide and 24 inch thick concrete.
 
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MikeKO    RE:Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages   12/18/2002 7:28:14 PM
Lockheed already has a better answer. They made an airship / plane hybrid that can carry 1 million pounds. If equiped with electric engines and solar cells, range is forever @ 150 knts. Interesting thing about this aircraft is that it was mentioned 1 time in AWST, and never again. It doesn't show up on Lockheed website either. My guess is that we have a small fleet of them, and the Iraqis are going to be in for a surprise. Additionally, since they use helium to balance the payload, they runway landing requirements are not to bad. Mike
 
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Thomas    RE:Cargo 747s are the answer to America's airlift shortages   5/30/2003 7:13:16 AM
To Shaka: To round off a previous subject: I agree the issue of shorthandedness on C-17 for the 101 should be adressed.
 
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