Douglas C-74 Globemaster
The Douglas C-74 Globemaster was a United States heavy-lift cargo aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California. The aircraft was developed after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The long distances across the Atlantic and, especially, Pacific oceans to combat areas indicated a need for a transoceanic heavy-lift military transport aircraft. Douglas Aircraft Company responded in 1942 with a giant four-engined design. Development and production modifications issues with the aircraft caused the first flight to be delayed until 5 September 1945, and production was limited to 14 aircraft when the production contract was cancelled following V-J Day.
| C-74 Globemaster | |
|---|---|
| C-74 Globemaster at Long Beach, California. | |
| Role | Strategic airlifter |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| First flight | 5 September 1945 |
| Retired | 1969 (last operational flight) |
| Status | Retired – 1959 (military), 1969 (civilian) |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1945–1947 |
| Number built | 14 (one converted to C-124 prototype) |
| Developed into | Douglas C-124 Globemaster II |
Although not produced in large numbers, the C-74 did fill the need for a long-range strategic airlifter, in which capacity the subsequent Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was used by the Air Force for many years.