Air Pictorial 1956-11
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C.Cain - "Mighty M.A.T.S."
PACIFIC DIVISION (PACD) of M.A.T.S . puts up a formation of the last three piston-engine types that will eventually be succeeded by turboprop C-130As and C-133As - and possibly C-132As. Top to bottom: U.S.A.F. Boeing MC-97C Stratofreighter; U.S.A.F. Douglas C-124A-DL Globemaster II; and U.S.N. Lockheed R7V-1 (Model L-1049F) Super Constellation. Note weather (nose) radome. M.A.T.S. has two squadrons of R7V-1s on the Pacific run - U.S.N. VR-7 and VR-8. The newer C-121C (with square windows and Wright turbo-compound R-3350-91s - 3,250 h.p.) has been assigned to the 1600th Air Transport Group at Charleston, S.C. This A.T.G. has the total contract for thirty-three C-121Cs - carrying either 27,000 lb. cargo or seventy-five passengers in rear-facing seats. The 1254th A.T.G. (Washington, D.C.) operates remaining C-121As and C-121Bs of M.A.T.S.
ATLANTIC DIVISION (ATLD) operates Douglas C-118A (U.S.N. R6D) Liftmasters from McGuire A.F.B., N.J. The Liftmaster of M.A.T.S. has maximum range of 2,100 nautical miles cruising at 275 m.p.h. Douglas C-133As (P. & W. T34 turboprops) will first supplement and eventually replace C-118As by flying N. and S. Atlantic non-stop. The 1700th Test Squadron (Turboprop), Kelly A.F.B., Texas, is already conducting ATLD personnel in C-133A flying and maintenance courses.