In 1949 the US Navy was looking for a tactical assault transport for its Marine Corps units and arrangements were made to divert 8 off the shelf C-119Bs from the USAF to the USMC. These 8 aircraft and the 31 C-119Cs that followed were designated R4Q-1s. A small number of these R4Q-1s were operated in Korea during the war before they were replaced by upgraded R4Q-2s/C-119Fs of which 58 were acquired. The R4Q-2s were later retrofitted with a nose mounted weather radar.
The R4Q/C-119 were twin engine, twin boom transport / paratrooper aircraft equipped with a 36 ft 11 in long, 9 ft 2 in wide, 9 ft 10 in high cargo fuselage with clamshell aft facing doors capable of loading artillery or small vehicles. As a transport, 42 troops could be carried or 35 litters could be used. The main difference between the R4Q-1 and R4Q-2 were the engines used. The R4Q-1/C-119C used the R-4360 and the R4Q-2/C-119F used the R-3350.
The R4Q/C-119 was a follow-on design of the C-82 and was operated into 1972.
Fairchlid USN / USMC R4Q / C-119 "Packet" / "Flying Boxcar"
Naval Fighters Number 117
- Author: Nicholas M. Williams
- 72-pages
- 140 B & W photos
- 5 color photos
- 22-patches
- 19 drawings.
- Order number: 117
- Retail $29.95
- ISBN# 979-8-9899509-0-4
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