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qqq · 11-17-2003, 12:25 AM

I heard that Generals & VIP's use an Airstream installed in a military transport aircraft to come & go to various countries.
Has anyone seen a pic or know more about it?
Do they remove the wheels? & how do they tie it down?

Hart

Pahaska · 11-17-2003, 07:14 AM

In today's big transports, it should roll right in and be tied down with come-along chains.

We often transported jeeps and small trucks in our C-123s and C-119s and they were relatively small airplanes compared to today. The first really big carrier was the C-124 with 17,440 cubic inches of supercharged engines (14,000 hp). The big transports of today dwarf the C-124 and can easily swallow something the size of an Airstream.

The Loadmaster will position the Airstream and other cargo for the best center of gravity of the aircraft.

74Argosy24MH · 11-17-2003, 07:52 AM

In my opinion (and just an opinion) it is another urban legend. Size and weight it would be very possible to do, but noise would be terrible, I couldn't imagine being inside an AS inside a transport plane. Most human transport is done on leased passenger planes, Generals and VIPs would certainly rank high enough to get some decent accomodations. Maybe the rumor got started because of the AS used to transport the astronauts.

John

qqq · 11-17-2003, 08:48 AM

It's not an urban legend, Paul Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld' s assistant
traveled in it when returning from Iraq, & the General in charge over there travels in it regularly.
It was also in a newspaper article found on the forum section where all Airstream related articles appear.

Hart

Pahaska · 11-17-2003, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 74Argosy24MH
In my opinion (and just an opinion) it is another urban legend. Size and weight it would be very possible to do, but noise would be terrible, I couldn't imagine being inside an AS inside a transport plane.John

Modern day transport planes are pressurized, heated, and well insulated to fly at high altitudes. Because of that, they aren't terribly noisy inside, not like our old prop jobs. With the additional noise rejection and climate control of the Airstream, it really should be a comfortable way to travel.