Photo © by Robert Westerberg from airshow at Malmen 2010-06-13

Background

In the 1970s, the United States Air Force began looking for a replacement for the Lockheed  C-130 Hercules. USAF invited aircraft manufacturers to a competition for the best design of an AMST (Advanced Medium STOL Transport). STOL = Short Take Off and Landing.

Boeing presented their design YC-14 and McDonnell Douglas their YC-15. The competition was cancelled before any winner was chosen.

By 1980, the USAF found itself with a large fleet of aging C-141 Starlifter cargo aircraft. The type had to be replaced with a new, larger aircraft. In 1981, McDonnell Douglas was chosen to build its proposed aircraft, by then designated C-17. It differed from the YC-14 design in having swept wings, increased size, and more powerful engines. This would allow it to perform all work performed by the C-141, but to also fulfil some of the duties of the C-5 Galaxy, freeing the C-5 fleet for outsize cargo.

A first order of 210 aircraft was laid in 1985. Due to criticisms of the project, the order was reduced to 120 aircraft in 1990. The first prototype took to the air in September 1991.

The prototype (T-1) and five production models (P1-P5) were tested and evaluated at Edwards Air Force Base. The C-17 received the “Globemaster III” name in 1993.

The project met technical and production problems and the cost estimations were overrun in an almost catastrophic way.

In 1997 McDonnell Douglas merged with its former competitor, Boeing. After the fusion, the aircraft was marketed and manufactured as Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

The C-17 carries the name of two previous U.S. military cargo aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and the C-124 Globemaster II.

In August 2010, a total of 220 C-17s were delivered. United States Air Forces (USAF) operates 192 aircraft. C-17 is also operated by other countries:
Royal Australian Air Force (4 aircraft)
Canadian Forces Air Command  (4 aircraft)
Qatari Air Force (2 aircraft)
Royal Air Force (6 aircraft)
SAC (3 aircraft, one of these on loan from USAF)

 

Painting and Marking
 

The aircraft is painted in the standard USAF light grey one colour scheme. I have got the information that the Federal Standard code is 26173, but do not take this for granted.

The markings are in an USAF style. The tail is marked with the Hungarian Air Force low visibility insignia. The name of the Hungarian home base, PÁPA, is painted on the blue strip on the tail. Just below are the two last digits of the serial number (01, 02 or 03) painted.

The Hungarian low visibility insignia is also painted on the wings.

The last two digits of the serial number are also painted in large size below the cockpit windows. The complete serial number (080001, 080002 or 080003) is painted in smaller digits just below. The badge seen aft of the entrance doors is the insignia of the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW).

See photos and drawing at sides and below.
 

Photo © by Robert Westerberg from airshow at Malmen 2010-06-13

Important sources :
Wikipedia
Websites of:
- Swedish Armed Forces
- Swedish Government
- USAF
- Teknik 360
- Boeing Company

© Lars Henriksson