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26-533: Design capacity of the XC-99 was 100,000 lb (45,000 kg) of cargo or 400 fully equipped soldiers on its double cargo decks . A cargo lift was installed for easier loading. The engines face rearward in a pusher configuration . The Convair Model 37 was a large civil passenger design derived from the XC-99 but was never built. The Model 37 was to be of similar proportions to the XC-99; 182 ft 6 in (55.63 m) length, 230 ft (70 m) wingspan, and

52-517: A case with a 1:72 scale model made by Lt Col Howard T. Meek, USAF (Ret). In an effort to preserve the aircraft for future restoration, the XC-99 was later moved incrementally to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG) storage facility at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base , in Tucson, Arizona , where it will remain, in an area containing other aircraft belonging to the NMUSAF until

78-406: A high-capacity, double-deck fuselage. The projected passenger load was to be 204, with an effective range of 4,200 mi (6,800 km). Fifteen aircraft were ordered by Pan American Airways for transatlantic service. However, the fuel and oil consumption of the six 3,500 hp (2,600 kW) Wasp Major radials powering the XC-99 and B-36 meant that the design was not economically viable, and

104-540: A large, long-range transport at that time, and no more were ordered. The sole XC-99 served until 1957, including much use during the Korean War . It made twice weekly trips from Kelly AFB to the aircraft depot at McClellan Air Force Base , California , transporting supplies and parts for the B-36 bomber while returning by way of other bases or depots making pick-ups and deliveries along the way. During its operational life,

130-406: A record it would later break when it lifted 104,000 lb (47,200 kg) from an airfield at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) elevation. In 1951, the aircraft was retrofitted with 3,800hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 engines, landing gear was strengthened and a cargo-loading system installed, including an internal elevator. Bins were developed to enable quick loading of the aircraft - it was estimated

156-698: The Arms Export Control Act , or the Excess Defense Articles program of the Foreign Assistance Act . AMARG is a controlled-access site, and is off-limits to anyone not employed there without the proper clearance. From April 2013 onwards the base had hosted an annual 10K/5K run/walk which was open to the general public. AMARG has been used as a filming location in several films and television productions, despite security . The most recent and notable of these

182-669: The Kelly Field Annex to adjacent Lackland AFB , it was deemed that a new location be identified for the XC-99. Disassembly of the aircraft began at Kelly Field in April 2004 and the airframe was moved in pieces from Kelly to the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. By the summer of 2008, the transfer was complete and the parts were lying outside

208-610: The Stratocruiser , a partially double-decked derivative of the B-29 Superfortress , became popular with airlines around the world. The first full double-deck aircraft was the French Breguet Deux-Ponts , in service from 1953. The first partial double-deck jet airliner was the widebody Boeing 747 , in service from 1970, with the top deck smaller than the main deck. Boeing originally designed

234-692: The 3040 Aircraft Storage Squadron was discontinued. In 1965, the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center was organized and tasked with processing aircraft for all the United States armed forces , not just the Air Force. The Navy had operated its own boneyard at Naval Air Station Litchfield Park at Goodyear , Arizona, for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft. In February 1965, some 500 aircraft were moved from Litchfield Park to Davis–Monthan. NAS Litchfield Park

260-588: The Air Force refused due to the $ 7,400 cost of the flight. The aircraft was put on display at Kelly AFB near San Antonio , Texas , in 1957. Deterioration of the airframe due to the high magnesium content was beyond local abilities to address. The aircraft was later moved to a grassy field near the base and in 1993 the USAF moved it back to the Kelly AFB. In 1995, Kelly AFB was identified for closure via BRAC , although some portions would remain under USAF control as

286-410: The XC-99 logged over 7,400 hours total time, and transported more than 60 million pounds (27,000 metric tons) of cargo. The aircraft made its last flight on 19 March 1957, landing at Kelly Air Force Base, where it would remain for the next 47 years. The then- United States Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio , requested that the aircraft be flown there for display, but

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312-542: The aircraft could be loaded in as little as 30 minutes. In August 1953, the XC-99 would make its longest flight, 12,000 mi (19,000 km), to Rhein-Main Air Base , Germany , by way of Kindley Air Force Base , Bermuda and Lajes Field in the Azores . It carried more than 60,000 lb (27,000 kg) each way. It attracted much attention everywhere it flew. The US Air Force determined that it had no need for such

338-546: The center was renamed the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). There are four categories of storage for aircraft at AMARG: AMARG employs approximately 500 DoD civil servants and 200 contractors. The 2,600-acre (11 km ) facility is adjacent to the base . On average, AMARG annually returns approximately $ 500 million worth of spare parts to military, government, and allied customers. Congressional oversight determines what equipment may be sold to which customer. An aircraft going into storage undergoes

364-464: The distinctive 747 bubble top with air cargo usage in mind. The small top deck permitted the cockpit and a few passengers and nose doors with unobstructed access to the full length of the hold. Most 747s are passenger jets, and a small percentage are cargo jets with nose doors. The first full double-deck jet airliner is the Airbus A380 , which has two passenger decks extending the full length of

390-551: The following treatments: On average the Group annually receives 300 aircraft for storage and processes out about the same number (with 50 to 100 of those returning to flying service). Aircraft that fly again either return to the U.S. military, U.S. government agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard , U.S. Forest Service , and NASA , or are sold to allied governments under either the Foreign Military Sales program of

416-510: The fuselage, as well as a full-length lower third deck for cargo. It entered regular service in late-October 2007. Canceled projects for double-deck passenger aircraft 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG), often called The Boneyard , is a United States Air Force aircraft and missile storage and maintenance facility in Tucson , Arizona, located on Davis–Monthan Air Force Base . The 309th AMARG

442-478: The hoped-for turboprop powerplants did not materialize fast enough. The low number of orders was not sufficient to initiate production, and the project was abandoned. In July 1950, the XC-99 flew its first cargo mission, "Operation Elephant." It transported 101,266 pounds (45,933 kg) of cargo, including engines and propellers for the B-36, from San Diego to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas ,

468-646: The museum is able to restore it. In 2014, Lieutenant General John L. Hudson , USAF (Ret), director of the NMUSAF said that there would be insufficient resources for restoration for the foreseeable future. Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors General characteristics Performance Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists 32°08′55″N 110°50′32″W  /  32.14870°N 110.84233°W  / 32.14870; -110.84233 Double-deck aircraft A double-deck aircraft has two decks for passengers;

494-460: The museum. The aircraft had continued to suffer additional corrosion during its years in Texas and was found to be in worse condition than expected, with the restoration task being beyond the resources of the museum in a realistic time scale. Some major components such as the wing spar would need to be completely replaced. The NMUSAF's plans for the restoration and display of the XC-99 are displayed in

520-457: The region makes the 309th AMARG an ideal location for storing aircraft, as there is very little humidity in the air that would corrode metal. Furthermore, the surface is hard so that the aircraft do not sink into the ground. Aircraft storage at Davis-Monthan Field began when the 4105th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Aircraft Storage) was organized in 1945, to house Boeing B-29 Superfortress and Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft. Davis–Monthan Field

546-465: The second deck may be only a partial deck, and may be above or below the main deck. Most commercial aircraft have one passenger deck and one cargo deck for luggage and ULD containers , but a few have two decks for passengers, typically above or below a third deck for cargo. Many early flying boat airliners, such as the Boeing 314 Clipper and Short Sandringham , had two decks. Following World War II ,

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572-443: Was chosen because of Tucson 's low humidity, infrequent rainfall, alkaline soil, and high altitude of 2,550 feet (780 m), reducing rust and corrosion. The hard soil makes it possible to move aircraft around without having to pave the storage areas. In 1949, after the Air Force's creation as a separate service, the unit was redesignated as the 3040th Aircraft Storage Depot, and later 3040 Aircraft Storage Squadron. On 1 Jun 1956,

598-578: Was finally closed in 1968. In the 1980s, the center began processing intercontinental ballistic missiles for dismantling or reuse in satellite launches, and was renamed the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) to reflect the expanded focus on all aerospace assets. In the 1990s, in accordance with the START I treaty, the center was tasked with eliminating 365 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The progress of this task

624-677: Was originally meant to store excess Department of Defense and Coast Guard aircraft, but has in recent years been designated the sole repository of out-of-service aircraft from all branches of the US government. The facility has also received US-made foreign military aircraft such as the Boeing CC-137 (from RCAF for use in the E-8 JSTARS program) and the Lockheed CP-140A Arcturus (2 from RCAF). The arid climate of

650-496: Was previously Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center , and the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center. The 309th AMARG takes care of nearly 4,000 aircraft, which makes it the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world. An Air Force Materiel Command unit, the group is under the command of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base , Utah. The 309th AMARG

676-528: Was to be verified by Russia via satellite and first-person inspection at the facility. Initially, the B-52s were chopped into pieces with a 13,000 pound guillotine winched by a steel cable supported by a crane. Later on, the tool of choice became K-12 rescue saws. This more precise technique afforded AMARC with salvageable spare parts . In May 2007, the AMARC was transferred to the 309th Maintenance Wing , and

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