XC-120 Packplane

The Fairchild XC‑120 Packplane was a prototype cargo aircraft developed in the United States shortly after World II. Conceived in 1945 as a conversion of the C‑119 Flying Boxcar airframe, the XC‑120 featured a revolutionary detachable cargo pod that could be loaded on the ground and then hoisted into the fuselage by a built‑in crane. This modular concept was intended to speed turnaround times and enable rapid reconfiguration between troop transport, freight, or medical evacuation missions. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radial engines delivering 2,000 hp each, giving it a maximum speed of about 250 mph and a range of 1,200 mi. Only one prototype, serial number 49‑0138, was built and flown in 1947; testing revealed handling issues related to the pod’s weight distribution and complexity of the loading system. Although the program was cancelled in 1949, the XC‑120’s modular design influenced later concepts such as the C‑130 Hercules “quick‑change” modules and modern containerized airlift. Its legacy lies in demonstrating that aircraft could be turned into flexible, interchangeable platforms, a principle that underpins today’s air cargo logistics.