The C-82 Packet was a twin-engine, twin-boom aircraft that was used briefly by the United States Army Air Force following World War II. Developed by Fairchild, only 223 were ever built and most were used for cargo and troop transport, although a few were used for paratroop operations or towing gliders. Several C-82 Packets were utilized during the Berlin Airlift, primarily bringing assembled vehicles into the city.

The aircraft was used in the 1965 movie, The Flight of the Phoenix.

Fairchild, starting from the C-82, developed the much more successful and capable C-119 "Flying Boxcar"

Specifications (C-82A Packet)

General Characteristics

• Crew: three
• Capacity: 42 paratroops or 34 stretchers
• Length: 77 ft 1 in (23.50 m)
• Wingspan: 106 ft 6 in (32.47 m)
• Height: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
• Wing area: 1,400 ft² (130.9 m²)
• Empty: 16,530 lb (12,045 kg)
• Loaded: 42,000 lb (19,050 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 54,000 lb (24,545 kg)
• Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-85 radials, 2,100 hp (1,567 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 250 mph (400 km/h)
• Range: 2,140 miles (3,424 km)
• Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,232 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: 30 lb/ft² (146 kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)

Related content

Related development: C-119 Flying Boxcar

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: C-79 - C-80 - C-81 - C-82 - C-83 - C-84 - C-85