NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Overview:
The first Boeing C-17 squadron became operational in Jan. 1995. Since then they have flown over two hundred thousand hours. The C-17's reliability and maintainability are among the best in its class. To date a total of 159 Globemaster III aircraft have been built.
In regular operations the C-17 is designed to operate on runways as short as 3,000 feet and as narrow as 90 feet in width. Cargo is loaded through an aft placed door which can accommodate virtually all of the U.S. Army's air transportable equipment.
Development:
On August 28, 1981 the U.S. Government awarded Boeing (then McDonnell Douglas) a contract for a prototype aircraft with the ability to lift large cargos to and from short fields.
On September15, 1991, the C-17A Globemaster III flew for the first time.
On June 14, 1993 deployment of the C-17A commenced.
On January 17, 1995, C-17 aircraft were ready for world wide missions.
On May 31,1996 the Air Force ordered an additional total of 80 C-17 aircraft.
In December 2001 the total of C-17A aircraft ordered was increased to 180.
On September 21, 2006 the C-17 program was extended through 2010 with orders for ten more C-17 aircraft, bringing the total of all C-17 aircraft to be produced to over 200.
In 2010, if Boeing receives more orders, they would begin C-17B production. The proposed C-17B would be capable of operating from rough air strips that the current C-17A can not access.
Achievements:
On Sept. 14, 1997 eight C-17 Globemasters flew more than 7,780 miles in 20 hours from North Carolina, U.S.A. to Kazakhstan, in Eurasia, parachuting equipment and troops. It is the longest ever air drop mission.
Other C-17 Globemaster achievements are thirty three high performance world records. Many were achieved during normal flight testing. They include payload to altitude, time to climb and short take off and landing.
On Nov.17, 2001 a Globemaster III took off in less than 1,400 feet, climbed to altitude, and then landed in less than 1,400 feet while carrying a 44,000 lb load.
On Nov. 27, 2001 the C-17 set a number of altitude records for carrying payloads in steady horizontal flight. These records included a payload of 88,200 lbs. at an altitude of 43,820 feet and a payload of 22,100 lbs. at an altitude of 45,500 feet.
$202,299,000
transport
three
P&W F117-PW-100
4- 40,440 lbs ea.
269,000
585,000
173' 11"
168' 10"
88' x 18' x 12'
243,135 lbs.
170,900 lbs.
450 mph
520 mph
4,000 fpm est.
45,000 feet
2,100 miles
9/15/91
1995
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane built by Colin Straus.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above is the C-17 RC Airplane scratch built by Colin Straus. The radio control airplane is 1/9 scale with a wing span of 20' 8". Made primarily of balsa and plywood, the RC Airplane has an all up weight of about 264 lbs. Powering the radio control airplane are four Jetcat P-120 turbine engines.
Those who can't fit a 264 lb. RC Airplane in their vehicles may want to consider Parkjets plans. Their C-17 RC Airplane, designed by Francisco Nibbio, has a wing span of 63" and is in the first two pictures below. The radio control airplane is built from Depron foam. Power for the RC airplane is from two speed 400 pusher props in the inner wing nacelles.
The third and fourth pictures below are of a scratch built 1/10 scale C-17 radio control airplane. This RC Airplane is by Dave Matthews. Wing Span of the radio control airplane is 17’ 0”. Length of the RC Airplane is 17’ 3”. Power for the radio control airplane comes from 4x RAM 750F turbines putting out 20 lbs. of thrust each. Al lup weight of the RC Airplane is 200 lbs.
If you know of any other radio control airplane kits, plans or ARF's for the C-17 Globemaster III, or if you have built a C-17 Globemaster III RC Airplane, please email us.
RC Airplane from Parkjet Plans.
RC Airplane by Dave Matthews.