My dad started out in the Army as a mechanic, then became a flying Sergeant. His first transition after flight school was to a C-47. He then was a C-54 pilot and flew them during the Berlin Airlift. He later transitioned into the C-124 early on in the 50s when he was stationed at McCord AFB. He was later sent to Larson AFB then on to Tachikawa in Japan. He was at Hickam and Hill AFBs flying the C-124. He ended up being a check airman and flew the C-124 until he got grounded (heart issues) in 1961. He got back on flight status and flew the C-47 again till he retired in 1964. He loved flying the C-124s and talked about it until he died in 1987. I've visited various museums where I can get inside but never gotten to the cockpit, which I'd truly love to do as it was a place where my dad spent so much time flying them. Perhaps someday I'll be able to. I have seen lots of pictures though.
As a R4360 engine mechanic on C 124's in Frankfurt, Germany Rhein Main AFB for 4 years, I love C 124's, we had over 200 engine mechanics for 16 C 124's based at Rhein Main to support all of Europe, We worked the flight line 24/7 snow, rain sun,. 24 hours a day, we also worked on every radial engine the Air Force had from 1967-1971. I still work on airplanes today 57 years later. You do have to be 20 years old to work on these airplanes, and I love your museum, Thanks, MP
My father was a Load Master on the C-124 in the GA ANG 116th Airlift Wing of MAC. They did troop movements all over the world during the 1960's. They did a lot of Med Vac missions in SEA along with transporting troops. The men of the 116th, retired and current, restored to flying condition the C-124 that was Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the 1980's. Just to see the Air Force step in and denied the 116th to fly the aircraft to it's final home. When my father and the unit would leave for deployment, all of the families would be at Dobbins Air Force Base to see them off and we would there when they came back from a lot of the deployment's. We kids got to play on the aircraft and our father's would show us what they did and how everything worked on the aircraft. These are memories that myself and my sister and brother's would not trade for anything.
Thanks for sharing a really cool story. Warner Robins AFB in Georgia currently has a C-124C on display. And the 116th still has a presence there although no longer in transportation.
You're right about being underpowered. I flew it as a Navigator and scabbed a lot of Pilot time for 8 years (later becoming a Commercial Pilot). Generally at max gross (198,000lbs +) we were literally flying in 'Ground Effect' Flaps still at 20 degrees, with engines overheating, Flight Engineer screaming about cylinder head temps, until we got above 1,000' agl....and THEN it still took us nearly 30 minutes to reach 9,000 feet. For the years we flew with Platinum spark plugs (always failing) we shutdown engines on many occasions; I believe we carried some 100 of those plugs as spares in the 'war kit' as they would be replaced during overnighters. After 8 years of that I went to the C-141. What a beautiful experience that became after 'Old Shaky'. PS: I lost hearing at the 2800 mega cycle range - can't hear women's voices anymore. Best regards and thanks for the meories.
Thank you for this. I served in the USAF from 1969 - 1977 and loaded cargo and people in 124's especially at Cam Ranh Bay. It was a privilege to send food, medicines, and firearms and ammunition to the brave men in combat.
I flew on a C-124 to Prestwick in 1961. You could look out and see the wings flapping. Although I never got a chance to fly one I did sit right seat in the cockpit for a brief amount of time while the co-pilot took a break. You had to climb a ladder to get into the cockpit. All and all a wonderful experience flying on that airplane. I came back on a C-130 which is a different animal entirely.
In 1971 While i was in the Air Force Reserves out of March Air Force Base in Riverside California I was lucky to fly in a C124A from Riverside to Honolulu, Hawaii for a 3 day weekend, The flying time was about 12 hours each way so we didnt have much time in Hawaii but it was so much fun. Some may have been scared 12 hrs over the ocean in that old cargo plane with no seats but i was in heaven, so excited. And being in Hawaii even for a that short time was terrific. I remember asking someone on the street what the crains are doing all along Waikiki Beach. I was told to my amazement that where you see a crain now you will see a hotel soon. Yes i was on Waikiki Beach when there were just a couple of the original hotels. In 1995 I returned to Honolulu and stayed in one of those hotels. And, it was returning to my favorite place on earth and a time i will never forget.
I had the same experience back then. I was in the Utah Air Guard in the late 60's, early 70's. When I first got in we had C-97 Stratofreighters which was a nice plane, but we considered them to be kind of a dinosaur. Then around 1970 we got C-124's, a real dino. We went to Hickam about every 6 weeks, sometimes we would get 2 days there, but most of the time it was 1 day. 13 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City. After 3 yrs flying them I really hated flying and still do.
As a former USAF RadarNavgator with over 3,000+hours in the C-124 in AF Logistics Command. There were three Squadrons in AFLC known as "Log Squadrons" in HQ 3079th Depot Aviation AFLC/HQ/W-P AFB, that all flew Top Secret Special Weapons Support-globally. Remaining Navs are in the AF Navigators Observers Association (AFNOA)+historian. Fantastic strategic airlifted. Great aircraft and the last to fly almost every traditional flight navigation systems there were. Calif C-124 is up at AF Field Museum at Travis AFB. Other C-124 at AF Museum in Ohio.
I was a recip aircraft mechanic my first 6 years in the AF. I worked on C-124s at Hickam AFB (65-67)and Hill AFB (68). Spent a lot of time inside the wings rigging cable. I thought it was a great plane as far as ease of getting at what needed repair.
Viva the Revolution!...drink..se chupa... Anyway. Great plane and presentation... Viva Pima!...I saw this stuff fly as a kid..but had no idea what it was (grew up in Long Beach 1950s ..60s) Thanks for the show!...and yes again..my wife watched too!
I wasn’t there, but I know exactly what you mean! I can’t help but love a complex monster like the R-4360 and RESPECT the guys who kept them running well enough to do their job. 🙌🏻
Underpowered? Everyone gone who flew and worked on these great aircraft? There are still a lot of us old-timers around who crewed, worked on and flew on the C-124 who would be happy to provide you with accurate information. Recommend you talk with those who know these old birds best before putting out your videos. This video does not do justice to the "Shakey". Those of us who know her best love her!!
the aircraft for its time did great service. I don't think anyone argues that. The fact of the matter is from an engineering standpoint the loos rate on these aircraft were very hi. The companion aircraft the C-133 had even more problems. But at the time the US had no other option for a heavy lift plane. Thank you for your service.
My dad started out in the Army as a mechanic, then became a flying Sergeant. His first transition after flight school was to a C-47. He then was a C-54 pilot and flew them during the Berlin Airlift. He later transitioned into the C-124 early on in the 50s when he was stationed at McCord AFB. He was later sent to Larson AFB then on to Tachikawa in Japan. He was at Hickam and Hill AFBs flying the C-124. He ended up being a check airman and flew the C-124 until he got grounded (heart issues) in 1961. He got back on flight status and flew the C-47 again till he retired in 1964. He loved flying the C-124s and talked about it until he died in 1987.
I've visited various museums where I can get inside but never gotten to the cockpit, which I'd truly love to do as it was a place where my dad spent so much time flying them. Perhaps someday I'll be able to. I have seen lots of pictures though.
As a R4360 engine mechanic on C 124's in Frankfurt, Germany Rhein Main AFB for 4 years, I love C 124's, we had over 200 engine mechanics for 16 C 124's based at Rhein Main to support all of Europe, We worked the flight line 24/7 snow, rain sun,. 24 hours a day, we also worked on every radial engine the Air Force had from 1967-1971. I still work on airplanes today 57 years later. You do have to be 20 years old to work on these airplanes, and I love your museum, Thanks, MP
Thank You!
My father was a Load Master on the C-124 in the GA ANG 116th Airlift Wing of MAC. They did troop movements all over the world during the 1960's. They did a lot of Med Vac missions in SEA along with transporting troops. The men of the 116th, retired and current, restored to flying condition the C-124 that was Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the 1980's. Just to see the Air Force step in and denied the 116th to fly the aircraft to it's final home. When my father and the unit would leave for deployment, all of the families would be at Dobbins Air Force Base to see them off and we would there when they came back from a lot of the deployment's. We kids got to play on the aircraft and our father's would show us what they did and how everything worked on the aircraft. These are memories that myself and my sister and brother's would not trade for anything.
Thanks for sharing a really cool story. Warner Robins AFB in Georgia currently has a C-124C on display. And the 116th still has a presence there although no longer in transportation.
You're right about being underpowered. I flew it as a Navigator and scabbed a lot of Pilot time for 8 years (later becoming a Commercial Pilot). Generally at max gross (198,000lbs +) we were literally flying in 'Ground Effect' Flaps still at 20 degrees, with engines overheating, Flight Engineer screaming about cylinder head temps, until we got above 1,000' agl....and THEN it still took us nearly 30 minutes to reach 9,000 feet. For the years we flew with Platinum spark plugs (always failing) we shutdown engines on many occasions; I believe we carried some 100 of those plugs as spares in the 'war kit' as they would be replaced during overnighters. After 8 years of that I went to the C-141. What a beautiful experience that became after 'Old Shaky'. PS: I lost hearing at the 2800 mega cycle range - can't hear women's voices anymore.
Best regards and thanks for the meories.
Fred, great video. Well done
Thank you for this. I served in the USAF from 1969 - 1977 and loaded cargo and people in 124's especially at Cam Ranh Bay. It was a privilege to send food, medicines, and firearms and ammunition to the brave men in combat.
The C-124 was all over the world. Could operate out of small fields in Alaska. The C-124 was a big part of the cold war during the early days!
Great Presentation On A Historic Aircraft 👍
I flew on a C-124 to Prestwick in 1961. You could look out and see the wings flapping. Although I never got a chance to fly one I did sit right seat in the cockpit for a brief amount of time while the co-pilot took a break. You had to climb a ladder to get into the cockpit. All and all a wonderful experience flying on that airplane. I came back on a C-130 which is a different animal entirely.
In 1971 While i was in the Air Force Reserves out of March Air Force Base in Riverside California I was lucky to fly in a C124A from Riverside to Honolulu, Hawaii for a 3 day weekend, The flying time was about 12 hours each way so we didnt have much time in Hawaii but it was so much fun. Some may have been scared 12 hrs over the ocean in that old cargo plane with no seats but i was in heaven, so excited. And being in Hawaii even for a that short time was terrific. I remember asking someone on the street what the crains are doing all along Waikiki Beach. I was told to my amazement that where you see a crain now you will see a hotel soon. Yes i was on Waikiki Beach when there were just a couple of the original hotels. In 1995 I returned to Honolulu and stayed in one of those hotels. And, it was returning to my favorite place on earth and a time i will never forget.
I had the same experience back then. I was in the Utah Air Guard in the late 60's, early 70's. When I first got in we had C-97 Stratofreighters which was a nice plane, but we considered them to be kind of a dinosaur. Then around 1970 we got C-124's, a real dino. We went to Hickam about every 6 weeks, sometimes we would get 2 days there, but most of the time it was 1 day. 13 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City. After 3 yrs flying them I really hated flying and still do.
Worked as Air Freight loader and worked on many old Shaky.
Bulldozers, trucks, mail and people.
my dad was a navigator on the c124. They were in the SSS squadron.
I actually worked on the R4360 down at Sheppard AFB 1971. yes, they were loud!!
As a former USAF RadarNavgator with over 3,000+hours in the C-124 in AF Logistics Command. There were three Squadrons in AFLC known as "Log Squadrons" in HQ 3079th Depot Aviation AFLC/HQ/W-P AFB, that all flew Top Secret Special Weapons Support-globally. Remaining Navs are in the AF Navigators Observers Association (AFNOA)+historian. Fantastic strategic airlifted. Great aircraft and the last to fly almost every traditional flight navigation systems there were. Calif C-124 is up at AF Field Museum at Travis AFB. Other C-124 at AF Museum in Ohio.
I remember a John Wayne movie about oil well fires and a 124 landing in the opening scene. The doors opened and the Duke walked down the ramp
I was a recip aircraft mechanic my first 6 years in the AF. I worked on C-124s at Hickam AFB (65-67)and Hill AFB (68). Spent a lot of time inside the wings rigging cable. I thought it was a great plane as far as ease of getting at what needed repair.
wow so cool on the history
A ground run test run the 4360 would be run up to 62.5 manifold pressure and you could feel the power of the P&W Double Wasp engine.
Viva the Revolution!...drink..se chupa...
Anyway. Great plane and presentation...
Viva Pima!...I saw this stuff fly as a kid..but had no idea what it was (grew up in Long Beach 1950s ..60s)
Thanks for the show!...and yes again..my wife watched too!
Hello to Mrs. Big Harmonica Bob!
The L-1 mag fired the left-hand plug in the B and D row. If you know what I mean, you were there!
I wasn’t there, but I know exactly what you mean! I can’t help but love a complex monster like the R-4360 and RESPECT the guys who kept them running well enough to do their job. 🙌🏻
It has been described as one half million rivets flying in formation. Also, MATS was a joint Air Force/Navy command.
Thanks Jerry I did not know that it was a joint command.
@@PalmSpringsAirMuseum also, the C-141 replaced the C-124. 124 crews were ecstatic transitioning into the 141’s! The C-5 came along later.
Underpowered? Everyone gone who flew and worked on these great aircraft? There are still a lot of us old-timers around who crewed, worked on and flew on the C-124 who would be happy to provide you with accurate information. Recommend you talk with those who know these old birds best before putting out your videos. This video does not do justice to the "Shakey". Those of us who know her best love her!!
the aircraft for its time did great service. I don't think anyone argues that. The fact of the matter is from an engineering standpoint the loos rate on these aircraft were very hi. The companion aircraft the C-133 had even more problems. But at the time the US had no other option for a heavy lift plane. Thank you for your service.
Y’all should do a warbird Wednesday about the F-8 Crusader!
good idea we will at some point
Under Powered!!!! BS!!! You obviously never rode in one.
Nope - just an opinion looking at the accident numbers. But I am happy to be wrong.