This Week in History: YC-141B introduced

  • Published
  • By Al Moyers
  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Historian
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  On Jan. 8, 1977, the first YC-141B rolled out of the Lockheed-Georgia Marietta plant.

Equipped with in-flight refueling capability, it was 23 feet longer than the original C-141A, enabling it to carry more troops and cargo.

Introduced to replace slower piston-engine cargo planes, the C-141 was designed to requirements set in 1960 and first flew in 1963. In service, the C-141 proved often having additional lift capacity that went unused because the cargo hold was full.

To correct the perceived deficiencies of the original model and utilize the C-141 to the fullest of its capabilities, 270 C-141As were stretched, adding needed payload volume. The conversion program took place between 1977 and 1982, with first delivery taking place in December 1979. These modified aircraft were designated C-141B.

It was estimated that this stretching program was equivalent to buying 90 new aircraft, in terms of increased capacity. Also added was a boom receptacle for in-flight refueling. The fuselage was stretched by adding "plug" sections before and after the wings.