Douglas C-74 Globemaster

The Douglas C‑74 Globemaster was a four‑engine, long‑range transport aircraft developed for the United States Army Air Forces shortly after World War II. First flown on 24 July 1945, the prototype demonstrated the ability to carry a payload of up to 47,000 pounds over 4,000 miles, a capability far beyond any existing military cargo plane. Powered by Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engines, the C‑74 featured a high‑wing design, a spacious cavernous fuselage with a rear loading ramp, and a reinforced floor that allowed heavy vehicles, including tanks, to be driven directly into the aircraft. Only fourteen production examples were built before the program was cancelled in 1947, as the smaller C‑121 and later C‑124 offered more economical solutions. Despite its brief service, the Globemaster set a precedent for strategic airlift, influencing post‑war designs such as the C‑124 Globemaster II and the modern C‑17. Its ability to transport bulk supplies and oversized equipment across oceans proved decisive during early Cold‑War deployments, establishing the concept of rapid, intercontinental logistical support that remains a cornerstone of modern military aviation. The aircraft remains a celebrated example of post‑war engineering ingenuity.

Douglas

Douglas C-74 Globemaster

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification