C-5A/B GALAXY (WHITE-GRAY) MODEL

The C-5 Galaxy, manufactured by Lockheed-Georgia Co., is a military heavy-cargo transport aircraft designed to provide strategic airlift for deployment and supply of combat and support forces over intercontinental distances. It is the largest American military transport and one of the largest military aircraft in the world, designed to carry outsize and oversize cargo.

The C-5 is operated by the United States Air Force. The C-5 Galaxy is one of the physically largest aircraft in the world with the ability to fly on a regular basis. The original version of the C-5 is the C-5A. From 1969 to 1973, 81 C-5As were delivered to US Air Forces bases. Due to cracks found in the wings in the mid-1970s, the cargo weight was restricted. To restore the planes full capability, the wing structure was redesigned. A program to install new strengthened wings on 77 C-5As was conducted from 1981 to 1987. The redesigned wing made use of a new aluminum alloy that didnt exist during the original production.

An improved version of the C-5A is the C-5B. It incorporated all modifications and improvements made to the C-5A with improved wings, upgraded TF-39-GE-1C turbofan engines and updated avionics. From 1986 to 1989, 50 of the new variant were delivered to the US Air Force.