C-119 Flying Boxcar

C-119 Boxcar History and Development

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

The C-119, developed from the World War II Fairchild C-82, was designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute. It was known in the Navy and Marine Corp as the R4Q.

The first C-119 made its initial flight in November 1947, and by the time production ceased in 1955, 1,183 C-119s had been built.

The USAF used the airplane extensively during the Korean War and many were supplied to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and to the air forces of Canada, Belgium, Italy and India.

In later years the aircraft was used in many private endeavors and as a fire-fighting aircraft.

Its cargo-hauling ability and unusual appearance earned it the nickname "Flying Boxcar".

Over 20 Flying Boxcars have been preserved in air museums in the United States, including those shown below at the Hill Aerospace Museum in Utah and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Colorado.

C-119 Photos by the Airplanes Online Staff

Fairchild C-119J Flying Boxcar on display at the Museum of the United States Air Force

Cockpit view of Fairchild C-119J Flying Boxcar, S/N 51-8037A, at the Museum of the U.S. Air Force

 

 

Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar, S/N 22107, "State of Utah", at Hill AFB

Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar, S/N 22107, "State of Utah", 733rd Troop Carrier Squadron

C-119F Flying Boxcar of the U.S. Marine Corp in Pueblo, Colorado

C-119 Flying Boxcar, S/N 51-2566, Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia

C-119G Flying Boxcar, S/N 51-8024, Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, Ashland, Nebraska

USAF C-119 Photos

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar