More photos of the C-119s

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories Fixed wingTags , , ,

In-flight shots of Tankers 81, 82, and 87

Tanker 82 N13745
Tanker 82 (N13745) at Ontario, CA November, 1975. By JD Davis.

When JD Davis saw Steve Whitby’s photos of the three C-119 air tankers taken in 1981 as they were lined up at the Hemet-Ryan retardant pits, he was kind enough to send us individual photos of each of the tankers, all shot when they were airborne — tankers 81, 82, and 87. JD’s pictures were taken between 1975 and 1982 in southern California.

Thanks JD!

Tanker 87 N13746
Tanker 87 (N13746) at Hemet-Ryan July 21, 1982. By JD Davis.
Tanker 81 N13743
Tanker 81 (N13743) at Hemet-Ryan, CA July 20, 1980. By JD Davis.

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5 thoughts on “More photos of the C-119s”

  1. Early June 1967, Ft Benning GA, 2nd week of US Army Airborne training, first jump from a “real” airplane instead of a tower. “Whats that funny looking aircraft?” “Son, thats a flying boxcar, get in.” Slowest, lowest airplane I ever jumped from.

  2. 1981 was my first year in Alaska at Lake Minchumina, part of Anchorage District BLM, before the Alaska Fire Service was formed on a napkin-drawing plan in Fairbanks…

    My flight helmet was on this flight, but luckily, I was not.

    Good read of a C-119 engine fire (and , um, yeah, crash):

    http://www.ruudleeuw.com/c119-dugan_story.htm

    Are you reading this CR Holder?

  3. I am amazed and excited the Flying Boxcar is still finding it’s way around the skies. I flew the cargo version in 1969 out of Stewart AFB , Newburgh, NY, supporting various ADC missions. My next and last 119 hours were out of DaNang as a Stinger AC 119K Gunship Pilot, predominantly flying the trails in Laos on supply interdiction missions at night, 4000 AGL in the firing circle. We also supported night TIC missions in country. The Old Bird looks much different painted brightly with a smooth fuselage and jet on top. We were a 10 man crew with 4, 7.62 mm and 2, 20 mm gatlin guns sticking out of the side of the airplane. Two jets were added to get us off the ground. At high rate, we fired 29,000 rounds of ammo per minute, on targets found using the FLIR an NOS target sensors. However, we were restricted to short 2-3 second bursts, precluding gun malfunctions. AC-47, Puff was a predecessor and the wicked 130 Specter Gunship remains as an awesome weapon. The Flying Boxcar has many years of service supporting and saving lives in the process. “Saa-loot”

  4. Is there any way, I could get the photo of the Tanker 82 top 1/4 view.
    Full credit to the photogiher
    Thank you

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