by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 02/02/2017 at 12:35
by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 02/02/2017 at 12:35
Tags: wingspan
; planelopnik
STARS: 7
Though it’s fun to imagine that this Atlas rocket is getting inserted into the aft end of this Douglas C-133 Cargomaster, it’s actually being unloaded at Cape Canaveral, Florida in April 1961.
Atlas rockets , originally designed as intercontinental ballistic missiles, were used from 1962-1963 as part of Project Mercury and helped put the first four Americans into Earth orbit: John Glenn ( Friendship 7 ), Scott Carpenter ( Aurora 7 ), Wally Schirra ( Sigma 7 ), and Gordon Cooper ( Faith 7 ). Early Atlas rockets had a dismal safety record, and this particular rocket exploded during liftoff as it tried to put an unmanned Mercury spacecraft into orbit. The Mercury Seven astronauts were taken to see a test launch of an early Atlas rocket, only to watch it blow up a minute after liftoff. Despite that ominous sign, a rigorous program of testing and quality control in Atlas construction led to the four successful Mercury launches, and the improved Atlas II rockets enjoyed a 100% success rate over 63 launches between 1991-2004. The latest Atlas rocket, the Atlas V , is still in service today, with a launch scheduled for 2020.
Taken over San Francisco Bay in 1960, this picture shows the same C-133B Cargomaster that was photographed unloading the Atlas rocket. While it had a longer career than the rocket it was carrying, it too shared an unfortunate fate.
The Cargomaster was designed to satisfy a US Air Force need for global logistics, and it was the only turboprop-powered strategic airlifter to serve the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), later renamed the Military Airlift Command (MAC). The need for the aircraft was so great that it was ordered directly into production without the construction of any prototypes. The Cargomaster provided vital transport service during the Vietnam War before being replaced by the jet-powered Lockheed C-5 Galaxy . The Cargomaster was retired by the Air Force in 1971, and the C-133B in these two photos, Air Force serial number 59-90529, was placed on display at the Bradley Air Museum in Connecticut. However, an F4 tornado that swept through Connecticut and Massachusetts on October 3, 1979 lifted the Cargomaster 250 into the air and flipped it onto its back, ripping off the nose and tail. Of the 50 Cargomasaters produced, 7 remain today, either on display or in storage.
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The first manned
Mercury
launches, including the one that put America’s first astronaut into space, Alan Shepard, used the
Redstone rocket
, but those flights were suborbital.
The turboprop-powered Lockheed C-130 Hercules , which entered service just before the Cargomaster, is classified as a tactical airlifter.
The Bradley Air Museum is now known as the New England Air Museum .
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If you enjoy these posts, please join in the conversation and let me know. If you missed an episode, you can find them all at Wingspan .
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"Wacko" (wacko--)
02/02/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 1
So that’s why Amazon sells This
makes sence now.
"McMike" (mcmike)
02/02/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 1
If I could post a photo, it would be of an Atlas streaking across the sky, but I would replace the rocket with a C133, and make a “JATO MOTHERFUCKERS” type comment.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
02/02/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 1
I can’t even imagine how ribald the crew on the flight line must have been that day.
EDIT: on occasion of the loading, I mean - presumably some hours before this.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 12:46, STARS: 0
I just edited the lead paragraph, and changed “rear end” to “aft end.” For the LULz.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
02/02/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 0
John Glenn ( Friendship 7 ), Scott Carpenter ( Aurora 7 ), Wally Schirra ( Sigma 7 ), and Gordon Cooper ( Faith 7 ).
why were they all designated seven?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
To represent the original 7 Mercury astronauts: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. The capsules were all named by the astronaut that flew in it. The number was chosen by the astronauts to represent the teamwork that made the program possible.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
02/02/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 0
not getting along with Gimp today?
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
02/02/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 0
Note: C-133s were super loud
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"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
02/02/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 2
“F4 tornado”
But the F4 was the Phantom!! And how fast was it going that it flew by the Cargomaster and flipped it on its back?!?!
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
That was cool. Thanks!
"McMike" (mcmike)
02/02/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 1
No, I can’t post photos to Kinja. Can’t embed either.
Something about the hosing protocol/port or site that my work network is blocking. It happened once before. I’ll just having to describe the image I’m thinking about instead.
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
02/02/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
Speaking of heavies, did you see this?
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/china-has-big-dreams-1791913152
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 0
I did. It makes the whole Russia v. Ukraine business that much more interesting. I bet China is also very interested in military logistics on a large scale. I thought we dodged a bullet when the Cold War ended. Things aren’t looking very optimistic right now.
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
02/02/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 1
I know, I’m not sure if I should feel excited that there will be more of these, or worried that China feels like they need them.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0
Both.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 1
Speaking of heavies, did you see this?
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
02/02/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 1
I hadn’t. Interesting. I’d love to tour one.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
02/02/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 1
I did not know of the C-133 before reading your post, believe it or not.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
02/02/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 0
It’s not one of the more well known aircraft. I think I first learned of it while writing my aviation history series.
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
02/02/2017 at 22:49, STARS: 0
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Surpriiiissseeeee!