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Re: Not a warbird question

Posted by Scott WRG Editor on Wed Jan 30, 2002 08:35:17 PM

In reply top Not a warbird question posted by Mick on Wed Jan 30, 2002 06:06:47 PM


: Why is it that armed forces make very great and good use o
: f "hatch-back" transports like the C17, C130, etc etc etc,
: which always seems to me to be the best and easiest way t
: o load and unload cargo....but the civvy cargo airlines in
: variably use cargo versions of normal airliners, which doe
: sn't seem to me to be the best and easiest way to do the s
: ame job.
: Surely the costs of each type must be similar, so is it be
: cause the converted airliners are faster than a similarly
: sized military "hatch-back", and speed is considered the m
: ost important element of running a cargo airline, rather t
: han making it easier for the load-masters etc?
:
: It will be very interesting to hear what the reason is, I'
: ve always wondered.
:
: Cheers
: Mick

This is just my opinion, but I think it also has to do with the loads carried. Military loads tend to be larger and heavier per square foot (most notably MBT's) than most civilian loads. The structure necessary would reduce overall capacity. Also, military transport are usually gear towards dumping cargo fast if needed. Civilian cargo, for the most part, is containerized, making maximum use of space and allowing some sorting. In essense, the civilian freighter market does not have a need for military transports excpet in rare occasion and then you do see ex-military transports used. It all comes down to cost and efficiency I would guess.

Scott

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