C-119F Flying Boxcar

The Fairchild C‑119 F Flying Boxcar was a twin‑engine transport that evolved from the World War II C‑82 “Packet” and entered service in 1949. Built by Fairchild Aircraft, the C‑119F featured a distinctive box‑shaped fuselage with a large, rear‑clamshell door that allowed rapid loading and unloading of troops, cargo, and vehicles. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radial engines, it could lift up to 10,000 lb of payload or transport 62 fully equipped soldiers, while its high‑wing design provided excellent ground clearance and stability on rough airfields. The model incorporated upgraded avionics, stronger airframe components, and reinforced landing gear, enabling operations in austere environments throughout the early Cold War. The Flying Boxcar proved vital during the Korean War, where it delivered ammunition, medical supplies, and paratroopers, and it later served in the Vietnam conflict and numerous humanitarian missions. Its versatility set a precedent for modern tactical airlifters, influencing subsequent designs such as the Fairchild C‑123 Provider and shaping doctrines of rapid, flexible air transport that remain central to military and disaster‑relief aviation today.

Fairchild

C-119F Flying Boxcar

Classification

Design & Classification