Fairchild C-82 Packet

The Fairchild C‑82 Packet was a twin‑engine transport aircraft developed in the United States just after World War II. Conceived in 1944 to meet the U.S. Army Air Forces’ demand for a heavy‑cargo glider, Fairchild quickly re‑engineered the design into a powered plane, first flying on 27 August 1945. Its most distinctive feature was the large, unobstructed cargo bay with a rear loading ramp, allowing trucks, artillery pieces and even small armored vehicles to be driven straight in and out. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 radial engines delivering 2,000 hp each, the C‑82 could transport up to 10,000 pounds of cargo or 42 troops over a range of roughly 1,300 miles. Although only 450 airframes were built, the type proved valuable for post‑war logistics, humanitarian missions, and early Cold‑War airlift operations. Experience gained from the C‑82 directly informed the design of its successor, the far more successful Fairchild C‑119 Flying Boxcar, which dominated U.S. tactical airlift in the 1950s. The Packet’s pioneering rear‑door concept and rugged simplicity left a lasting imprint on military transport design. Its robust structure also allowed operation from rough, unprepared airstrips, further expanding its tactical flexibility.

Fairchild

Fairchild C-82 Packet

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Design & Classification