How to Identify a C-5

Lockheed's C-5 Galaxy, a behemoth with intercontinental range, allows the United States to react to crises around the globe. C-5s were instrumental in airlifting nearly a half million personnel and 600,000 metric tons of materiel during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Film
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Computers
• Camcorders
• Videocassettes
• Computer Desks
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Lenses
• SLR Camera
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Aircraft Band Scanner
• Air & Space Subscriptions
• Aviation Illustrated Magazine
• Telescopes
• Aviation History Subscription
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Polaroid Cameras
• Polaroid Film

1. Look for an extremely large airplane.

2. Remember, nearly all military aircraft are painted in a low-visibility gray-blue or in camouflage colors.

3. Check the tail section. The vertical stabilizer will stand nearly seven stories above ground and is topped by horizontal stabilizer elements.

4. Notice the long fuselage. It appears larger in diameter near the cockpit and has an interesting compound curve as it trails back toward the tail. The fuselage is nearly 250 feet long.

5. Look at the C-5 while it maneuvers on the ground. The Galaxy has a double set of nose wheels and four distinct sets of main landing gear composed of eight wheels each.

6. Note the enlarged lower portion of the fuselage, which allows storage of the main landing gear without taking up space in the cargo compartment.

7. Check the wings. They span more than 222 feet from tip to tip and have a discernible droop when the Galaxy is on the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• The C-5 serves the nation through the US Air Force, the Air National Guard, and the US Air Force Reserve.
• Pushed to its limits, the C-5 can lift off at a gross takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds.
• A Galaxy is more than 20 feet longer than a Boeing 747, the nation's largest civilian aircraft, and its wingspan is 10 to 20 feet greater.
• A C-5 needs more than 12,000 feet to take off fully loaded, but it can land in less than 5,000 feet.
• A C-5 can operate above 30,000 feet and travel nearly 6,000 miles (unrefueled) at 541 mph.
• The Galaxy's maximum wartime payload is 291,000 pounds.
• The Galaxy needs a pilot, a copilot, two flight engineers, and two loadmasters.
• C-5s are on active duty with the US military and are an integral part of our strategic reaction force. You might see one at an air show.
• Remember, the C-5 is a military aircraft. Lockheed makes no civilian version.
• Be certain to obey all security and safety regulations if you receive permission to enter a US Air Force base.