In early 1950s, the USAF requested Douglas to develop a new airlifter based on the turboprop technology, as an improvement of the C-124. Most significant was its ability to transport intermediate-range Thor and Jupiter missiles. Douglas submitted the XC-132 and YC-133 mock-ups, and the C-133 was selected to go. The Cargomasters went directly into production as C-133A without any prototypes were built. The C-133A made its maiden flight in 1956. In the same year, the USAF requested the C-133 would have to be capable of carrying the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile just coming into service. It led to the upgraded C-133B that configured with side-opened clamshell door at the back, which allowed for better fitting of the Atlas missile. The first C-133As were delivered to the Military Air Transport Service in 1957 and began flying MATS air routes throughout the world. When the United States involved in Vietnam War, the C-133 was part of the MAC fleet supporting the war in Southeast Asia. The C-133 and C-124 carried outsized loads while the C-135 and C-141 were devoted to higher-priority cargo. After 15 years of service, the C-133s were retired as the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy entered service in 1971.

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Strategic transport / long-range airlifter

To meet the requirements for the USAF's Logistic Carrier Support System SS402L for a new strategic transport.

179ft.8in.

157ft.6in.

48ft.3in.

4x Pratt & Whitney T34-P-7WA turboprops engine

359 mph

10

200 passengers or 80,000 pounds cargo

The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster is suitable to group with the following collection series.

Post war U.S. Transport aircraft 1946 ~ 1962

Douglas XC-112 (C-54) Liftmaster

Curtiss XC-113 (C-46G) Commando

Douglas XC-114 (C-54) Skymaster

Douglas XC-115 (C-54) Skymaster

Douglas XC-116 (C-54) Skymaster II

Douglas C-117 (C-47) Skytrain II

Douglas C-118A (R6D-1 / C-54) Liftmaster

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Fairchild XC-120 Packplane

Lockheed C-121 Constellation

Chase YC-122 (XCG-18A) Avitruc

Fairchild C-123 Provider

Douglas C-124 Globemaster II

Northrop YC-125 Radier

Cessna LC-126

DeHavilland C-127 (L-20 / U-6) Beaver

Fairchild C-128 (C-119D)

Douglas YC-129 Super Dakota

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Convair C-131 Samaritan

Douglas XC-132

Douglas C-133 Cargomaster

Stroukoff C-134 (C-123B) Pantobase

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Fairchild C-136 (C-123B)

Boeing VC-137 Air Force One

Fairchild C-138 (F-27)

Lockheed SC-139 (P2V-1) Neptune

Lockheed C-140 Jetstar

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter

Ling-Temco-Vought XC-142

Curtiss-Wright XC-143 (X-19)

The Vietnam War operation 1959 ~ 1975

Douglas cargo transport airplane

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Douglas C-74 Globemaster

Douglas C-118A Liftmaster

Douglas C-124 Globemaster II

Douglas C-133 Cargomaster

Douglas KC-10 Extender

Douglas C-17 Globemaster III