Posted on Jan 31, 2023
What is the oldest Military Aircraft that you Operated, Jumped From, or Rode In as a Service Member?
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As a young paratrooper, the first military aircraft that I jumped from was a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (a Berlin-Airlift era aircraft introduced in 1949). To tell you the truth, I am happy that it was my first jump aircraft, because I could actually see the rivets in the skin spinning around, as the engines revved up, and I was HAPPY to get out. Interestingly, the C-119 was known to have one of the highest rates of parachute malfunctions, believed to be because of the unique slipstream from the twin tailboom assembly. I think that the second-oldest that I jumped from was a U-6A Beaver that entered Service in 1952. I always wanted to jump from a C-47 Dakota, but that was reserved mostly for the True Heroes from WW2 and Korea.
But this isn't just for Paratroopers. If you were Crew, Paratroops, or Cargo, tell your experience.
But this isn't just for Paratroopers. If you were Crew, Paratroops, or Cargo, tell your experience.
Korean War
WWII World War Two
Airplanes
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 31
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I flew in a C-119 while I was in Civil Air Patrol. That aircraft is older than I am. C-141 Starlifter was getting old when I was on it, as was the C-130. The UH1 and Chinook have been around for a long time, too.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I had also rode in a C199 when i was a Cadet in Civil Air Patrol and also rode in a C47, and EC121 also as a CAP Cadet. I had rode on a C130 later while on active duty in the USAF in Vietnam. While working on a LCF, Launch Control Facility for the Minuteman Missiles We flew to work, 85 miles from the Base on UH1 choppers weather permitting. By chopper it was 30 minutes, to drive there it took 1.5 hours which We had to do when weather didn't allow the chopper transport. After My CAP Cadet Years I remained another 40 years in CAP as a Senior Member which included My 22 years of USAF Service.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - The C119 was only Military Aircraft I rode in as Civil Air Patrol Cadet (Father a retired Master Sergeant). All the rest were Army or Army National Guard. The UH1 was still active when I first enlisted, Blackhawks were just being fielded. Even though my father flew on C47 in the CBI, I have never gotten to ride on one.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
CPT Lawrence Cable - My brother was also a former CAP Cadet, and my Dad, was a Senior Member, Lt. Colonel in CAP. Like Me, both spent over 40 years each in CAP. My Dad was active duty Navy for ten years during WWII and Korea and will be 97 in March 2023 and doing fine. He got to go on a C54 from Hanscom AFB, MA to a Base in Florida where the passengers were all CAP Senior Members. My brother had been on a C47 of the Peruvian Air Force when as a Cadet He went to Peru in South America with the IACE, International Air Cadet Exchange. One engine had stopped while they were flying between peaks of the Andes Mountains but they got to a Base and did land safely.
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At age 65,in 2022, I made my 4th and 5th static line jumps from a C-47 (Tico Belle). The Tico dropped paratroopers over St. Mere-Eglise on 6 June 1944.
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