Here are the designations of US Army and US Air Force transport aircraft. The C for Cargo designation for Army transport aircraft was originally introduced in May of 1924
There were two series of C-planes, one beginning in 1924 and ending in 1962, and another one beginning in 1962 and continuing to the present day.
Here are the aircraft in the original C-series, beginning with the C-1 and ending in 1962 with the C-142.
Douglas C-1 Single-engine biplane military transport.
One 435 hp Liberty V-1650-1 water-cooled engine.
Best known for participation in early mid-air
refuelling experiments (1929). 26 built.
Standard USAAC transport until 1929.
Fokker-Atlantic C-2 Military version of Fokker F-VIIA/3m trimotor
transport. Eleven built.
Ford/Stout C-3 Designation given to eight 4-AT-B commercial
trimotor transports acquired by USAAC.
Ford/Stout C-4 Designation given to 5-AT trimotor commercial
transports acquired by USAAC. 5 built.
radials.
Fokker-Atlantic C-5 Military version of 12-passenger commercial
Fokker F-10A. Three Wright R-975 radials
in place of the P&W Wasps of the commercial
version. Only one ordered.
Sikorsky C-6 Military version of 12-seat S-38A twin-engined
sesquiplane amphibian. Two 450 hp R-1340-7
radials. 112 mph crusing speed at sea level.
Total of eleven procured.
Fokker-Atlantic C-7 Ten-passenger military transport. XC-7 was
a C-2A with engines replaced by 3 330 hp
Wright R-975 radials. It and four other
similarly re-engined C-2As were redesignated
C-7. C-7A was designation given to six
production planes which had a slightly larger
wing, new vertical fins, and fuselages patterned
after the commercial F-10A.
Max. speed: 136 mph.
Fairchild C-8 Designation given to commercial Model 71 single-
engine light cabin monoplanes used by USAAC as
light transports and photographic survey
aircraft. Some were briefly designated F-1.
An unusual feature was a folding wing.
Ford/Stout C-9 Designation given to C-3 trimotor transports
after being re-engined with 300 hp. R-975-1
radials.
Curtiss XC-10 Designation given to one Curtiss Robin W
delivered to USAAC. As compared to standard
civil Robins, C-10 had increased wing
dihedral, enlarged vertical tail surfaces,
raised thrust line. Used for early
experiments in radio-controlled unpiloted
aircraft.
Consolidated Y1C-11 Designation given to a single Consolidated
Model 17 Fleetster 6-7 seat passenger and
mail transport monoplane acquired by USAAC in
1932. One Wright R-1820-1 radial.
Lockheed Y1C-12 Designation given to a single Lockheed Vega DL-1
commercial monoplane acquired by USAAC for
tests as fast command transport.
C-13 Designation not used. Either for superstitious reasons
or to avoid confusion with the Curtiss O-13B, a transport
version of the O-13.
Fokker-Atlantic C-14 Military version of six-seat Fokker F-14 single-
engine parasol-wing commercial transport.
20 ordered as Y1C-14s with 525 hp Wright
R-1750-3 Cyclone radial.
Fokker-Atlantic C-15 Ninth Y1C-14 was converted as a specialized
ambulance aircraft and was redesignated
Y1C-15. Single C-15 was a commercial Fokker
F-14 acquired from General Aviation.
Fokker-Atlantic C-16 Designation given to one commercial F-XI
amphibian acquired by USAAC for tests.
Lockheed Y1C-17 Designation given to a single Lockheed Vega
DL-1B Special commercial monoplane acquired by
USAAC for tests in 1930. All-metal fuselage,
wire-braced single strut landing gear, NACA
cowling, and wheel pants. At the time, the
Y1C-17 was the fastest aircraft of any type
in USAAC service (221mph).
Boeing C-18 Designation given to commercial Model 221
Monomail acquired by USAAC for tests.
Northrop C-19 Designation given to three Alpha 1 light
transports acquired by USAAC.
Fokker-Atlantic C-20 Designation given to F-32 commercial transport
acquired by USAAC for tests.
Douglas C-21 Designation given to military version of Douglas
Dolphin commercial amphibian transport. Two
350 hp Wright R-975-3 radials mounted in
separate nacelles above the high-mounted wing.
Consolidated Y1C-22 Military version of Model 17 Fleetster 6-7 seat
passenger and mail transport. Improved version
of C-11. Three built.
Lockheed Y1C-23 Designation given to a single Lockheed Altair
DL-2A two-seat single-engined commercial
monoplane acquired by USAAC in 1931 for use as
transport for high-ranking military and civil
officials.
American Y1C-24 Military version of commercial American Pilgrim
single-engined transport. One 575 hp Wright
R-1820-1 Cyclone. Ten seats. Used by USAAC
as general utility aircraft. Four built.
Lockheed Y1C-25 Designation given to prototype Lockheed Altair
8D two-seat single-engined commercial monoplane
acquired by USAAC in 1931.
Douglas C-26 Extensively revised version of C-21 amphibian
transport. Two 300hp P&W R-985-1 radials in
nacelles above the high-mounted wing. Larger
wing area, longer fuselage, higher vertical
tail, auxiliary fins removed. Later
redesignated OA-4. 8 built.
Bellanca C-27 Adaptation of civilian Airbus four-seat
cabin sesquiplane light tranport to military
transport/cargo requirements.
Total of 14 built
Sikorsky C-28 Commercial S-39C with R-985-1. Only one built.
Douglas C-29 Version of C-26 amphibian transport with more
powerful 550 hp P&W R-1340-29 radials. Two
built.
Curtiss YC-30 Condor Military version of T-32 Condor biplane civil
transport. Two supplied to US Army.
Kreider-Reisner C-31 High-wing freighter. R-1820-25 engine. Only
one built.
Douglas C-32 Original XC-32 was a military version of the
DC-2 commercial airliner. Differed from the
the commercial airliner only in minor details
and in being powered by 750 hp Wright R-1820-12
radials. Only one built. Designation C-32A
given to 24 DC-2 commercial airliners acquired
by the Army in 1942 from civilian sources
(including 5 aircraft previously acquired by the
British Purchasing Commission).
Douglas C-33 Military cargo version of DC-2 series. Enlarged
vertical tail, reinforced cabin floor, large
cargo door. 18 built.
Douglas C-34 Military version of DC-2 commercial airliner.
Similar to XC-32 except for minor revisions in
interior arrangements. Two built.
Lockheed XC-35 Experimental high-altitude adaptation of Model
10E Electra light transport. Completely
circular cross-section fuselage, smaller cabin
windows.
Lockheed C-36 Three Lockheed Model 10A Electra twin-engined
light transports were purchased by USAAC "off-
the-shelf" in 1937
In 1942, 15 12-place Model 10As were "drafted"
by USAAC and designated C-36A. 2 450 hp.
P&W R-985-13s. Surviving aircraft were
returned to civil register beginning in 1944.
Four similar Model 10Es became C-36B. Two
600 hp P&W R-1340-49 radials.
Seven 10-place Model 10Bs (450 hp Wright R-975
Whirlwinds) became C-36C.
Maximum speed: 205 mph.
Redesignated UC-36 in 1943.
Lockheed C-37 Designation given to a single Lockheed Model 10A
Electra ten-passenger commercial transport
ordered "off-the-shelf" by War Department in
1937. 450 hp P&W R-985-13 radials. Assigned
to National Guard as staff transport.
Redesignated UC-37 in 1943.
Douglas C-38 Military version of DC-2 twin-engine commercial
airliner. Had DC-3 outer wing "married" to a
DC-2 fuseslage and center section. Prototype
of the series of aircraft sometimes known
as "DC 2 1/2". One built.
Douglas C-39 Twin-engine military transport. Production
version of C-38 aerodynamic prototype. Had
DC-3 outer wing "married" to a DC-2 fuselage
and center section. Two 795 hp Wright
R-1820-55 Cyclone radials. Used primarily as
cargo transport. 35 built.
Lockheed C-40 Military version of Lockheed Model 12-A Electra
Junior commercial light transport.
Douglas C-41 C-41 was a "one-off" version of C-39 intended as
staff transport for Chief of Staff of Army Air
Corps. Two 1200 hp P&W R-1830-21 radials.
Generally similar to C-39. One built.
C-41A was military version of DC-3A reequipped
with military instruments and communication
equipment. Two 1200 hp P&W R-1830-21 radials.
Served as staff transport. One built.
Douglas C-42 Staff transport for use by Commanding General
of the Air Force GHQ. Similar to C-41 but
powered by two 1000 hp. Wright R-1820-21
radials. One built.
Beechcraft UC-43 Designation given to civilian Model 17 five-seat
Traveller staggerwing biplane cabin transport acquired
by Army and used as light personnel transport.
Messerschmitt C-44 Designation given to one Bf 108B Taifun single-
engine cabin monoplane purchased in Germany
for use by US military attache in Berlin.
Beechraft C-45 Military transport version of civilian Model 18S
Expeditor twin-engine, twin tail light transport.
Curtiss C-46 Commando Twin-engine personnel/cargo transport. Two
P&W R-2800 radials. 3182 built
Douglas C-47 Skytrain Redesign of civilian DC-3 twin-engine commercial
airliner for role of military cargo transport.
Most widely used military transport
in World War 2. Used by RAF as Dakota, by
U. S. Navy as R4D.
Douglas C-48 Designation given to 36 DC-3As taken over from
the airlines and used by the Army as personnel
transports.
Douglas C-49 Designation given to 138 DC-3s taken over from
the airlines and used by the Army as personnel
transports.
Douglas C-50 Designation given to 14 DC-3s taken over from
airline orders and used by the Army as personnel
transports.
Douglas C-51 Designation given to a single DC-3 taken over
from airline order and used by the Army as
paratroop transport.
Douglas C-52 Designation given to 6 DC-3s taken over on the
production lines before delivery and fitted
as paratroop transports
Douglas C-53 Paratroop transport version of C-47. Fixed
Skytrooper metal seats, no large cargo door, no reinforced
floor, no astrodome.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster Military version of DC-4 four-engine commercial
transport. Both cargo and troop transport
versions built. Navy version was R5D.
Total of 1084 built.
Curtiss C-55 Prototype CW-20T civil transport purchased by
US Army for use as troop transport
Lockheed C-56 Lodestar Military version of civilian Model 18 Lodestar
twin-engine commercial airliner. Crew 3, 14
passengers. 36 acquired in 1942-43 from various
civilian sources and used by Army as general
personnel transport
Lockheed C-57 Lodestar Military version of civilian Model 18 Lodestar
twin-engine commercial airliner. Crew 3, 14
passengers. Impressed under different contracts
than C-56 series. 20 acquired from various
civilian sources and used by Army as general
personnel transport.
Douglas C-58 Designation given to two B-18A bombers modified
as unarmed cargo transports.
Lockheed C-59 Lodestar Designation given to 10 civilian Model 18-07
Lodestar commercial airliners acquired by Army
from various sources and used as general
personnel transport.
Lockheed C-60 Lodestar C-60 was designation given to 36 Model 18-56
twin-engine commercial airliners acquired from
civilian sources and used by Army as general
personnel transport. C-60A was designation
given to 325 aircraft of the same general type
built from scratch as military paratroop
transports.
Fairchild UC-61 Military version of Model 24 civilian four-seat
Forwarder high-wing single-engine cabin monoplane.
Used by Army as general light utility transport.
Waco C-62 Projected twin-engined, high-wing cargo
transport. Order for 253 was cancelled before
any could be built.
Lockheed C-63 Proposed transport variant of A-29 Hudson
light attack bomber. Cancelled before any
could be produced.
Noorduyn C-64 Norseman Light transport and communication aircraft.
Single engine, high wing cabin monoplane powered
by 600 hp P&W R-1340 Wasp radial. Crew 2,
up to 8 passengers. 746 built.
Stout C-65 Designation given to Stout Skycar used by USAAC
for tests.
Lockheed C-66 Lodestar Designation given to a single civilian Model
18-10 Lodestar twin-engine commercial airliner
impressed by the Defense Supply Corporation.
Douglas UC-67 Designation given to 18 B-23 Dragon bombers
converted to transport role and stripped of all
armament.
Douglas C-68 Designation given to two DC-3A twin-engine
commercial airliners taken over from the
airlines and used by Army as personnel
transports. Two P&W R-1830-92 radials.
Lockheed C-69 Originally initiated as the L.049 four-engined
Constellation commercial airliner explicitly designed to meet
the requirements of TWA. Taken over as a
military project following Pearl Harbor, and
modified to meet troop transport needs..
Only 20 were delivered as C-69 to
USAAF before end of World War 2. At the end
of the war, USAAF decided to standardize on the
Douglas C-54 as its four-engined transport of
choice, and most of the C-69s were promptly
declared surplus and sold on the commercial market.
Production of the basic design was turned over
to the civil market, which was to lead to the
famous Constellation series of airliners.
Howard UC-70 Designation given to 20 Howard DGA-8,9,12, and
15 commercial four-seat high-wing cabin
monoplanes acquired from various sources and
used by Army for general light utility transport
duties.
Spartan UC-71 Designation given to 16 Model 7W Executive
civilian 5-seat cabin monoplanes acquired by the
USAAF. One 450 hp P&W R-985 radial. 212 mph.
Waco UC-72 Designation given to 44 Waco civilian cabin
biplanes impressed by USAAF for use as staff
transports and station ferries. Sixteen
different Waco models were included, some with
tricycle undercarriage.
Boeing C-73 Designation given to 27 Boeing 274 twin-engined
commercial transports "drafted" by USAAF in
1942. Small airline cabin and doors prevented
use as heavy cargo and troop transport, so they
were used primarily for crew ferrying and later
for training.
Douglas C-74 Long range heavy transport aircraft. Four 3250
Globemaster hp P&W R-4360-69 Wasp Major radials. 312 mph at
20,800 feet. Max range of 7250 mi. Could carry
125 troops or up to 48,000 lbs of cargo.
Only 14 built. Served only briefly with USAAF,
then declared surplus and sold on the commercial
market.
Boeing C-75 Stratoliner Designation given to 5 Boeing 307 Stratoliner
commercial airliners impressed into USAAF
service. Four Wright GR-1820 Cyclone radials.
Pressurized cabin, 33 passengers. 241 mph at
6000 feet. Returned to commercial users after
the war.
Curtiss C-76 Caravan Twin-engined transport. Structure largely made
of wood to minimize use of critical materials. Aluminum
shortage failed to materialize and program was
canceled after only 25 had been built.
Cessna C-77 Designation given to eleven Model DC-6
planes impressed by USAAF.
Cessna UC-78 Bobcat Military version of T-50 civilian 5-seat twin
engine cabin monoplane. Used by Army as light
personnel transport. 3356 built.
Junkers C-79 Designation given to one Junkers Ju 52/3m
acquired by USAAF as war prize from Brazil.
Harlow C-80 Designation given to four Harlow PJC-2 civilian
aircraft impressed into service with USAAC.
Stinson UC-81 Reliant Designation given to 47 privately-owned Stinson
Reliant commercial 5-seat high-wing monoplanes
impounded by USAAF and used for general utility
transport duties. Wartime production of Reliant
was under designation of AT-19.
Fairchild C-82 Packet Twin-engined high-wing, twin boom, twin-tailed
tactical freighter and troop transport. Total of 220 built.
Piper C-83 Designation given to seven Cub aircraft
impressed into service with USAAC in 1942.
Later redesignated L-4F.
Douglas C-84 Designation given to four DC-3Bs taken over from
the airlines and used by the Army as personnel
transports.
Lockheed UC-85 Designation given to a single Model 9-D2 Orion
six-passenger commercial transport impressed into
service by USAAF in 1942.
Fairchild C-86 Designation given to nine commercial F-24-R-40
aircraft acquired by USAAF.
Consolidated C-87 Transport version of B-24 Liberator. Bomb bay
Liberator Express and rear fuselage replaced by passenger
compartment. Loading door cut into rear
fuselage. 286 built.
Fairchild C-88 Designation given to two F-45 low-wing
commercial aircraft acquired by USAAF.
Hamilton C-89 Designation given to H-47 high-wing commercial
aircraft acquired by USAAF.
Luscombe C-90 Designation given to two Model 8 high-wing
commercial planes acquired by USAAF.
Stinson C-91 Designation given to SM-6000 trimotor transport
acquired by USAAF.
Akron-Funk UC-92 Designation given to one B-75-L commercial
aircraft acquired by USAAF.
Budd C-93A Conestoga Twin-engined stainless-steel transport.
Cancelled by Army but ordered by Navy as
RB-1.
Cessna C-94 Designation given to three C-165 commercial
aircraft acquired by USAAF.
Taylorcraft UC-95 Designation given to 7 commercial BL-65 light
high-wing monoplanes taken over by USAAC and
used as light communications aircraft. Later
redesignated as L-2F. One Lycoming O-145-B1
engine.
Fairchild UC-96 Designation given to three Model 71 commercial
single-engined cabin monoplanes "drafted" by
USAAF in 1942 and used for photographic survey
duties.
Boeing C-97 Four-engined aerial refuelling aircraft.
Stratofreighter Four P&W R-4360 radials. 375 mph at 25,000 ft.
Midair refuelling boom under rear fuselage.
Can be converted into transport role. When
acting as transport, can carry up to 96 fully-
equipped troops. 888 built.
Boeing C-98 Designation given to four examples of Model 314
flying boat requisitioned by USAAF from PAA.
Later transferred to US Navy.
Convair XC-99 Transport version of Convair B-36 strategic
bomber. Two decks. Capable of carrying 400
equipped troops, 300 stretchers, or 100,000
pounds of cargo. Six R-4360-41 radials.
Only one built
Northrop UC-100 Designation given to one commercial 2D Gamma
single-engine mail-carrying and special
purpose aircraft acquired by USAAF from Texaco.
in 1942. Used as utility transport until 1943.
Lockheed UC-101 Designation given to a single civilian Lockheed
Model 5C Vega single-engine light transport
"drafted" by USAAF in 1942. Returned to civil
register in 1944
Rearwin C-102 Designation given to three Speedsters acquired
by USAAF.
Grumman UC-103 Designation given to two Grumman G-32 two-seat
demonstration aircraft (conversion of single
seat F3F biplane fighter) impressed by USAAF
and used as utility light transports and ferry
pilot trainers.
Lockheed C-104 Model 118 transport derived from civilian
Lodestar transport. Redesignated C-60C, then
cancelled.
Boeing C-105 Conversion of XB-15 experimental long-range
bomber to cargo transport.
Cessna C-106 High-wing twin-engine transport. Two used
for tests.
Stout C-107 Skycar III commandeered in 1942 for tests.
Boeing YC-108 Transport version of B-17 bomber. XC-108
was B-17E converted as VIP transport for
General McArthur. All armor and armament was
removed (except for nose and tail guns) and
interior was fitted out as office.
YC-108 was B-17F converted to VIP transport
in similar manner as XC-108.
XC-108A was B-17E converted to experimental
cargo transport.
XC-108B was tanker conversion of B-17F.
Consolidated C-109 Designation given to 200 B-24 Liberator bombers
converted for use as aerial tankers to support
China-based B-29 squadrons.
Douglas C-110 Designation given to three DC-5 twin-engined
commercial transports impressed by Army in Australia
from Dutch operators.
Lockheed C-111 Designation assigned to three Model 14-WF62
Super Electra commercial airliners flown to
Australia in 1942 to avoid capture by Japanese.
Purchased by USAAF for service with Allied
Directorate of Air Transport.
Douglas XC-112 Pressurized development of C-54E Skymaster
military transport. Longer fuselage, larger
rectangular windows in place of circular
portholes of C-54. Four 2100 hp P&W R-2800-34
radials. End of war resulted in lack of
production orders. Became basis of DC-6 series
of commercial airliners.
Curtiss XC-113 Conversion of C-46G to test General Electric
TG-100 turboprop. The turboprop was in star-
board nacelle, original R-2800 radial in port
nacelle. Arrangement found to be completely
unmanageable. Program terminated by a ground
accident. Aircraft never flown.
Douglas XC-114 Proposed Allison V-1710 powered version of C-54.
Not built.
Douglas XC-115 Projected Packard Merlin V-1650-209-powered
version of XC-114. Not built.
Douglas XC-116 Proposed Allison V-1710 powered version of C-54.
Similar to XC-114, but with thermal deicers. Not built
Douglas C-117 Twin-engine staff transport externally similar
to C-47, the military version of the DC-3
commercial airliner. Combination of original
features developed for DC-3 with latest
improvements developed for C-47.
Douglas C-118A Military version of commercial DC-6A freighter.
Can carry up to 76 fully-equipped troops or
up to 27,000 pounds of cargo. Four 2500 hp
P&W R-2800-52W radials. 372 mph at 18,000 ft.
101 built. 74 troops or 27,000 lbs. of cargo.
40 R6D-1 (Navy logistic transport versions of
DC-6A) were also transferred to USAF.
Fairchild C-119 Twin-engine, twin boom, twin tail cargo and
Flying Boxcar troop transport. Evolved from C-82 by
relocating the flight deck, widening the
fuselage, and providing more powerful engines.
Two Wright R-3350 radials. 296 mph at 17,000
feet. Can carry up to 62 fully-equipped troops
or a 30,000 pound cargo load. Clamshell doors
in rear cockpit can accommodate wheeled or
tracked vehicles.
Fairchild XC-120 Experimental version of C-119 with detachable
Packplane cargo pod. Aircraft could be flown with or
without the pod. Only one built.
Lockheed C-121 C-121A was military version of commercial Model
749 Constellation. Military transport versions and
radar picket versions both built.
One was used by President-elect Eisenhower as
*Colombine II* in 1952.
Chase YC-122 Twin-engined assault transport evolved from
Avitruc the all-metal XCG-18A 30-seat troop transport
glider. Only nine built. After evaluation by USAF,
declared surplus and disposed of on the
commercial market.
Fairchild C-123 Twin-engined assault transport Two P&W R-2800
Provider radials. Can accommodate up to 60 fully-
equipped troops or a 24,000 lb cargo load.
300 built. Achieved some notoriety in Vietnam
as carrier plane for "Agent Orange" defoliant.
Douglas C-124 Four-engine long-range military transport.
Globemaster II Based on C-74 wing, engines, and tail, married
to a new, deeper fuselage. Clamshell doors
in lower fuselage for cargo loading.
Northrop YC-125 Raider Short-field light assault transport and Arctic
rescue aircraft. Three 1200 hp Wright
R-1820-99 radials.
Used mainly for mechanical training until
disposed of as surplus in 1955.
Cessna LC-126 Designation given to 78 civilian Model 195
high-wing 4/5-seat cabin monoplanes ordered
by USAF. Used primarily for instrument
training and light transport duties. One
Jacobs R-775 air-cooled radial. 180 mph.
C-127 Initial designation given to DeHavilland
Beaver single-engine utility monoplane.
Later redesignated L-20 and then eventually
to U-6.
Designation later reassigned to T-34
turboprop version of C-124
Globemaster. Cancelled while still on drawing board.
The Boeing 493-3-2 (stated in older sources to have been designated C-127)
was never given a C-series designation, judging from USAF records.
Fairchild C-128 Variant of C-119. Redesignated C-119D and E.
Douglas YC-129 Designation given to a single Super DC-3 ordered
by USAF in 1951 for trials. Larger horizontal
and vertical tail surfaces with squared tips.
New outer wing panels with squared tips.
Lockheed C-130 The famous Hercules assault transport!!!
Hercules Four Allison T-56 turboprops. High wing,
cargo door in rear fuselage. 345 mph at
18,000 ft. Probably the most successful
military transport since the Douglas C-47.
Used by just about every air force in the
Production still continues today.
Convair C-131 Military version of Convair 240-440 series of
Samaritan twin-engine commercial airliners. Used by USAF
as general aeromedical, cargo, and personnel transport
Douglas XC-132 Proposal for heavy cargo aircraft. High-
mounted wing with 25 degree sweepback and
four 15,000 hp. P&W T-57 turboprops Cancelled in
1956 after only a mockup was built.
Douglas C-133 Four-engine, long-range military cargo
Cargomaster transport. Clamshell-type cargo loading doors
in rear fuselage. Four 5700 hp P&W T34-P-3
turboprops. Total of 50 built
Stroukoff C-134 Modification of C-123B to test a boundary
layer control system. Two Wright R-3350-89A
radials with four bladed props. Longer and
wider fuselage, much-modified undercarriage.
Small endplane fins and rudders replaced the
dorsal fin.
Boeing KC-135 Four engine midair refuelling tanker.
Stratotanker Four P&W J-57 jets/TF-33 turbofans. Versions for
Midair refuelling, long range transport, cargo,
photo mapping, electronic
reconnaissance, readiation measuring, space
communication, weather reconnaissance, nuclear
blast detection, aerial command posts, and
laser weapons testing.
Fairchild C-136 Proposed improved version of C-123B Provider.
Cancelled early in the design stage
Boeing VC-137 Military version of commercial 707 transport. Used by
USAF for use as personnel and high-priority
cargo transports. Two used by President as "Air
Force One".
C-138 Reserved for Fairchild F-27 but not taken up
Lockheed SC-139 Reserved for USAF transport version of Navy P2V Neptune.
Cancelled before anything could be built
Lockheed C-140 Jetstar Four-engined jet utility transport and trainer.
Four P&W J-60 turbojets. 573 mph at 36,000 ft.
Lockheed C-141 Four-jet long-range strategic transport.
Starlifter Four P&W TF-33 turbofans. 570 mph at sea level.
High mounted swept wing, high mounted t-tail.
Clamshell cargo doors in rear fuselage.
LTV-Hiller-Ryan XC-142A Four-engined V/STOL tactical transport. Four
General Electric T-64 turboprops mounted on a
wing which can be tilted vertically for VTOL. Not
ordered into production.
Bombardier C-143 Challenger 600 for US Coast Guard, effectively reviving the pre-1962 transport aircraft designation sequence.
CASA HC-144A CASA CN-235 in service with US Coast Guard
PZL C-145A Skytruck PZL M-28 Skytruck
Fairchild Dornier C-146A Fairchild Dornier 328
de Havilland Canada C-147 de Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 in use by US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
The original C-series seems to end here.
In 1962, the Defense Department introduced a scheme under which Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force aircraft would all be designated in exactly the same manner. In addition, they decided to start the C-series over again from one. However, Air Force transports in the C- category still in service (such as the C-141) had their designations unchanged.
Here are the post-1962 C-series aircraft:
New Transport Series
| Designation | Description |
| Grumman C-1A Trader | Transport version of S-2 Tracker twin-engine carrier-based antisubmarine aircraft. Used by Navy as general utility shipboard transport and training aircraft | Grumman C-2A Greyhound | Transport version of E-2A Hawkeye shipboard early-warning aircraft | Martin VC-3A | Two commercial Martin 4-0-4 airliners acquired by US Coast Guard in 1951. Redesignated VC-3A in 1962. Later transferredto US Navy. | Grumman C-4A Academe | Military version of Gulfstream twin-engine business transport intended for U. S. Coast Guard and U. S. Navy as VIP transport and training aircraft | Lockheed C-5 Galaxy | Four-engined long range military strategic transport. Four General Electric TF-39 turbofans. | Beechcraft VC-6A | One King Air 90 commercial executive aircraft delivered to USAF as VIP transport. | DeHavilland Canada C-7A | Designation given to 134 US Army DHC-4 Caribou twin-engined light tactical transports taken over by USAF. | DeHavilland Canada C-8A | Designation given to 4 US Army DHC-5 twin- turboprop light tactical transports taken over by USAF | Douglas C-9A/B Nightingale/Skytrain II | C-9A Nightingale is aeromedical evacuation transport. Basically similar to commercial DC-9-32CF convertible freighter. | McDonnell-Douglas KC-10A Extender | Flight refueling tanker and military freighter adaptation of commercial DC-10 airliner. Three General Electric CF6 turbofans. C-10 designation was originally allocated to a military version of British Aerospace HP-137 Jetstream 3 executive transport and feederliner. Order cancelled before any could be delivered. | Gulfstream VC-11A | Designation given to Gulfstream II executive aircraft purchased by US Coast Guard for use as a VIP transport. | Beechcraft C-12 Huron | Designation given to versions of the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 ordered for use by all the services. | C-13 | Not used (I assume for superstitious reasons) | Boeing YC-14 | Advanced Medium STOL transport (AMST) prototypes. Two built. Two CF6-50 turbofans and USB system. Did not go beyond prototype stage. | McDonnell-Douglas YC-15 | Advanced Medium STOL Stransport (AMST). Four JT8D-17 turbofans and EBF systems. Did not go beyond prototype stage. | C-16 | Designation assigned to Cessa Caravan CE-208 intended for use by Army in FLIR missions against leftist rebels in El Salvador and the forces of Nicaragua. Aircraft not accepted. | McDonnell-Douglas C-17 Globemaster III | Long-range heavy airlifter project. Four 37,000 lb. st. P&W F117-PW-100 turbofans. | Boeing C-18 | Designation given to eight ex- airline Boeing 707-320Cs acquired by USAF in 1981. | Boeing C-19 | Version of commercial Boeing 747 personnel cargo transport ordered for Air National Guard. Order cancelled before any could be acquired. One of my references has 19 examples being modified for Civil Reserve Air Force use in case of national emergencies. Planes remain in civilian service until called up by the Secretary of Defense. | Gulfstream C-20A | Designation given to military version of Gulfstream III business jet used for special mission support and electronic surveillance roles. | Gates Learjet C-21A | Military version of Gates Learjet Model 35A executive jet. Used for delivery of high- priority and time-sensitive cargo, as well as for general light transport and medevac duties | Boeing C-22 | C-22A was ex-airline 727-100 operated by USAF as VIP transport for US Southern Command in Panama. C-22B was designation given to four ex-airline Boeing 727-100 three-jet transports used by Air National Guard to carry inspection and training teams from Washington to various points in the USA. | Shorts C-23A Sherpa | Light freighter and utility aircraft based on Shorts 330-200 30-passenger commercial transport. | Douglas EC-24A | Designation given to DC-8-54F acquired by US Navy for use as "electronic aggressor" aircraft with fleet electronic warfare support group. | Boeing VC-25A | Extensively-modified Boeing 747-200 used as presidential aircraft | Fairchild C-26A | Military version of 19-seat Metro 3 twin- turboprop light commercial transport. Used as operational support transport by Air National Guard units. | Alenia C-27A | Alenia G-222-710 twin-turboprop transport acquired for use as short takeoff transport in the Canal Zone. | Cessna C-28 | One commercial Model 404 Titan ordered for use by US Navy as personnel transport. | British Aerospace C-29A | Military version of British Aerospace 125-800 light corporate executive transport. Six ordered by USAF for the combat flight inspection and navigation mission roles. | C-30 | Designation skipped for unknown reasons. | Fokker C-31A | Designation applied to two Fokker F-27s used by US Army for Golden Knights parachute team. | Boeing C-32A | Designation applied to four Boeing 757-200s acquired for USAF for use as executive VIP transports. | C-33 | Non-Developmental Airlift Aircraft project for a commercial freighter to supplement the C-17. Project cancelled before anything was ordered. At the time, the C-17 project was in trouble and Boeing proposed a version of the 747-400F to supplement a reduced C-17 acquisition. The proposal was rejected. Lockheed made a similar proposal (C-5D) which was also rejected. | C-34 | Designation skipped at the request of the US Army when the latter requested the MDS for what later became th UC-35A. The Army wanted to avoid confusion with "T-34" | Cessna UC-35A | Military version of Citation V Ultra (Model 560) | YFC-36A | Reserved for a four-engined aircraft, but not used. Believed to have been the original designation for the YAL-1A airborne laser prototype | Gulfstream Aerospace C-37A | Gulfstream Vs acquired by USAF for technical and logistics support. | Galaxy Aerospace C-38A | Military version of Model 1125A Astra SPX business jet for ANG. | C-39 | Initial designation for Navy Unique Fleet Essential Aircraft. Designation changed to C-40 for reasons that remain unclear. Perhaps the Navy never noticed that C-40 was not next in the sequence. | Boeing C-40A | Designation applied to three Boeing 737-700Cs For Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement Aircraft to replace C-9B Skytrain II | CASA C-41A | Military version of CASA C.212-200 | Canadair C-43 | Military version of CL-641 Challenger for US Coast Guard. Later redesignated C-143A. | Northrop Grumman KC-45 | Allocated to the Northrop Grumman design for a next-generation tanker aircraft based on Airbus A330 | Boeing KC-46 Pegasus | Tanker aircraft based on Boeing 767 airliner. | Boeing CT-49A | Designation given to NATO 707s. |
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