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Fairchild CC-119 BOXCAR
The RCAF took delivery of its first Fairchild C-119 "Packet" in 1952. The C-119, more commonly known as 'The Flying Boxcar', a twin-boom, twin-engine freighter and troop-carrier was flown by both Nos. 435 and 436 Squadrons of Air Transport Command. The C-119 could haul a 10,000-lb. payload 1,500 miles non-stop. Its load may have consisted of 62 fully-equipped paratroops; or 35 stretcher cases and four assistants; or, the equivalent weight of cargo. The aircraft was equipped with rear-opening, clam-shell doors which permitted fast efficient handling of lengthy, bulky loads.
Canada's decision to provide UNEF with an air transport support element afforded ATC a "live" exercise in mobility. Late one Monday night in November, 1956, No. 435 Squadron then based at Namao airport, near Edmonton, received a warning that it might have to move, lock, stock and barrel to the Middle East. At eight o'clock the next morning the alert became a reality and two hours later the first C-119 was on its way to Toronto.
At Toronto RCAF markings gave way to the blue and white insignia of the UN and in short order, 12 aircraft loaded to the doors with spare engines, propellers, ground handling equipment, tools and men were winging their way across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. Within days after the movement order had been received at Edmonton the first RCAF C-119 swung into service with the UN.
From Naples airport in Italy 435 Squadron operated with all the urgency of war. All manners of cargo and personnel of many nations were airlifted into Egypt to help start an historic world police force.
In January 1957 UNEF airlift requirements changed and 435 Squadron returned to Canada. Taking its place were two ATC elements; 114 Communications flight, equipped with four C-119s and 115 Communications Flight, equipped with two Dakotas and four Otters. Based at Naples and flying shuttle between Italy and El Arish was 114 Comm. Flight. 115 Comm. Flight, based at El Arish, was employed at Reconnaissance, communication and medical evacuation operations in the Sinai.
Scattered throughout the Arctic are joint US-Canadian weather stations, RCMP detachments and Dept. of Transport weather and radio bases. Each spring and fall these units are resupplied by aircraft of ATC. More than a million and a half pounds of all types of cargo are airlifted. Jointly carrying out these operations with "Flying Boxcars" were 435 Squadron based at Namao and 436 Squadron at Downsview. During these flights, landings were made on ice-strips or on crude runways scraped out on the land. The spring landings were usually made on the sea ice. In the fall, where the ice was not thick enough, the lands strips were used. Although such landings called for extreme care and skill, they were not considered unduly risky.
In addition to service with 435 and 436 Sqns., Boxcars or "dollar 19's" were at CJATC Rivers which was the para school in the 50's and early 60's, with 4 aircraft on strength. In addition to supporting the jump school, they assisted 435 and 436 in many operations and exercises, including "Boxtop" to resupply Alert and other trips in the arctic.
The C-119 ended its service engaged mainly in routine domestic airlift and in providing air transport support for the Canadian Army. Intended to have superseded the Dakota but that was not to be the case as the "Boxcars" were retired from RCAF service on 28 July 1965, and the Dakota, the 'old work horse' carried on.
Serial Numbers
(the following list is not complete but based on photographic/logbook evidence of the specific aircraft actually being assigned to the squadron)
408 Squadron 22115 22117 22119 22132
435 Squadron 22101 22111 22123 22135 22115
436 Squadron 22116 22121 22126 22135 21122 22104
CJATC 22106
4(T) OTU 22101 22131 22134
Unknown 21127 21110 21124 22120 22110
| Manufacturer: | Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation |
| Crew/Passengers: | crew of five and up to 62 troops or 35 stretcher cases or up to 10,000 lb payload |
| Power Plant: | Two 3,500-h.p. Wright Whirlwind R3350-85 engines. |
| Performance: | Max Speed: 250 mph ( 402 km/h) Cruising Speed: 205 mph ( 330 km/h) Service Ceiling: 23,900 ft (7,285 m) Range: 2,000 mi ( 3,219 km) |
| Weights: | Empty: 40,000 lbs ( 18,144 kg) Gross: 64,000 lb ( 29,030 kg) |
| Dimensions: | Span: 109 ft 3 in ( 33.30 m) Length: 86 ft 6 in ( 26.37 m) Height: 26 ft 6 in ( 8.08 m) Wing Area: 1,447 sq ft ( 134.43 sq m) . |
| Armament: | None |
| Cost: | $590,000 US |
