C-17A "Globemaster III"

The C-17A is the latest cargo aircraft to enter the Air Force's airlift division.  It's development was driven by two factors.  One was to eventually replace the Air Force's aging fleet of C-141's and C-5's and the other was that the Air Force wanted a high volume cargo plane that can take off and land on short and undeveloped runways.

Development of the C-17 began in the late 1980's by McDonnell Douglas and, even after Boeing's acquisition of McDonnell Douglas, the production of 180 C-17's continued in Long Beach, California.  The C-17 is now a common sight around the Mojave Desert, flying in and out of Edwards, Palmdale's Air Force Plant #42 facility and Victorville's SCLA Airport.

After an aerial demonstration, a C-17 taxies towards the crowd.
The real size of this aircraft becomes apparent as it gets closer to the crowd.
A close-up look at the crew in the cockpit.
Another view of the cockpit.
Some crewmembers sitting on the ramp that is part of the large aft door where cargo is loaded and unloaded.
Another view of the aft door.  The ED on the tail indicates that this is Edwards AFB's own C-17 used for flight testing.
Here is the same C-17 pictured above flying near the mountains south of Victorville.  Picture from Edwards AFB website.
C-17 in flight (not at Edwards).  Picture from U.S.A.F website.
Here, a new C-17 takes off from the former McDonnell Douglas facility in Long Beach, California.  Notice that it has yet to receive its military paint job.  Picture from Boeing's website.
Here, an Air Force picture demonstrates the C-17's ability to land slowly on a dirt runway.  Picture from Boeing's website.

Back to top or Back to Edwards AFB Air Show
 


Copyright (c) 2004, BackRoadsWest.com

Copyright © 2011, BackRoadsWest.com