Home>Museum News>U.S. Air Force's first C-17 arrives at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Story at a Glance
• C-17 joined museum collection on April 25 • Aircraft will be displayed in Air Park this summer
Photos
DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
DAYTON, Ohio -- Col. Douglas Jaquish, Vice Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif., "hands over" the U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The C-17 arrived at the museum after its final flight on April 25, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. In addition to its role as a flight test aircraft, T-1 is also a Hollywood star. The aircraft appeared in country superstar Toby Keith's Emmy Award-winning production of "American Soldier." T-1 went on to appear in five motion pictures: "Transformers," "Iron Man," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Iron Man 2" and "Superman: Man of Steel" (to be released by Warner Brothers in 2013). (U.S. Air Force photo)
by Sarah Swan
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
4/25/2012 - DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) landed at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Wednesday, April 25.
This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years.
"After more than 20 years of wide-ranging flight tests, T-1 is starting a new career at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John L. "Jack" Hudson, museum director. "This aircraft will serve as the representative C-17 airframe in the museum's collection, allowing us to share with the public more of the story of the demanding airlift missions facing today's Air Force."
T-1 made its first flight on Sept. 15, 1991, when it was delivered to the USAF at Edwards AFB, Calif., for testing. After completing the extensive C-17 flight test program, T-1 supported many other flight and propulsion test programs for the USAF, NASA and others.
In addition to its role as a flight test aircraft, T-1 is also a Hollywood star. The aircraft appeared in country superstar Toby Keith's Emmy Award-winning production of "American Soldier." T-1 went on to appear in five motion pictures: "Transformers," "Iron Man," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Iron Man 2" and "Superman: Man of Steel" (to be released by Warner Brothers in 2013).
"Today, C-17 (87-0025) takes on her final and incredibly important assignment," said Col. Andrew D. Ingram, the C-17 system program director at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. "If you've ever witnessed the face of an 8-year-old little girl or a 7-year-old little boy when they first enter the museum's Cold War Gallery and see the B-2 and the F-22 for the very first time, you know what I'm talking about. This is a place where dreams are born. America's future walks these galleries, every day."
The C-17 is the Air Force's newest, most versatile cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. It is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to small airfields. The aircraft can also perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions or transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.
According to Bob Ciesla, vice president Airlift and C-17 program manager for the Boeing Company, it is a great honor to support the U.S. Air Force by building the C-17 Globemaster III and continuing a proud and long history of supporting our military men and women with the best products, systems and technologies to carry out their missions.
"Congratulations to the Air Force on the retirement of T-1 - the revolutionary C-17 that for two decades has provided the most advanced strategic and tactical airlift capabilities of any airlifter in the world," Ciesla said. "We are proud to continue building and maintaining the world's C-17s to bring hope, save lives and preserve peace."
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
* Federal endorsement not implied.
NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286.
NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sarah Swan at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.
