The C119 is such a cool plane, I remember my grandparents had a collection of comic books that featured the C119, forgot what it's called but I've been a fan of the plane ever since, it's just so cool looking. A shame that none are flying today.

My father was on a C-119 crew for many years. This aircraft was the test bed for what became the delivery methods of the C-130. They used to drop tanks, howitzers, jeeps, and other vehicles out of these using an overhead powered rail and multiple parachutes with vehicles on pallets. My dad told me it was all they could do to keep the nose down whenever a heavy vehicle went out the back. With those loads, they had to fly with the clamshell doors off, so it was not only cold, it was extremely noisy. They drove shock absorbers through the tops of jeeps, and wrecked many vehicles while testing. Eventually, this led to the method used on the C-130, where they make a low pass and a parachute pulled the pallet out close to the ground. For the most part, they were used extensively for dropping troops, for which it was well suited. Although you indicate the airspeed of these is around 200mph, realistically, they cruised about 150. My dad used to say they COULD do 200mph.... but only in a dive! Interestingly enough, after flying B-17's, B-29's, C-46's, and C119's, this was my dad's favorite aircraft.

My Dad was the squadron commander of the C-119 squadron that dropped the Treadway bridges during the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean war. I saw footage of the Treadway bridge drop on the 2016 PBS American Experience documentary "The Battle of Chosin". My father, Lt. Col. Royal S. Thompson, was shown briefing his crew before jumping onto the aircraft. Then there was footage of him in the cockpit as the bridge spans were released and also footage taken as the nearby planes dropped their spans. I was so surprised to see his face in this footage as I had not known of its existence till then. I guess he knew there was film out there since they were riding in his plane. However, he probably never dreamed of having search capabilities of today's internet to find the footage. This summer I am going to view a C-119 being restored at Dover AFB which was actually on the mission to drop the Treadway spans. It is being restored at Dover AFB.

I was an engine mechanic for the C-119 at Clinton County AFB in Wilmington, Ohio 1967 to 1971. I spent my final year after the base closed in Columbus at Lockbourne AFB. I was an E5 when I got out in 1971. I was offered to re-up and be trained on jets. I thought about it and declined. Now, I wished I had stayed in. I was a member of a transit crew. When we had a C-119 blow an engine we would fly there, replace the engine, and would fly the repaired plane back to the home base. I enjoyed those transit trips.

My dad was a flight engineer on the C119 during the 60s with the California air national guard 129th they flew them many different places, longest trip was to south Vietnam .

You forgot about the Shadow version that was used in Vietnam also.

Remember these big birds when they flew over my home in the 1960s, neat stuff! Central Wi.

My Dad was an engine mechanic and flew as flight engineer on the C-119... Late 50's - 61

My Father was ROCAF and flew the C119. As a family member, I flew in C-119 many times as a child and often I would climb up the stairs to cockpit and ask if I can stay. Most crews would let me stay in the spare seat. I was also able to attend live fire exercise from a control tower. It's interesting to see the slow moving C-119 with 50 cal machines guns mounted on the nose dive in to fire on a target...:)

Nice videos and thank you for them. One minor correction and I have heard you make this statement on two of your videos. You stated the AC-130 came after the AC-119. The AC -130 was the second gunship after the AC-47. C-130's were built under the "Gunship2" program and the AC-119 was built under the "Gunship 3" program.The Air Force would not release anymore C-130's to be converted to Gunships so the next best thing was the C-119. Keep up your good work.

Remember laying down in the pastures with the grazing cows watching clouds and an occasional C119 flying over head . Then the sonic booms were also a treat! Back in 1958 at home on the farm!

Hang in there Fred! It’s starting to cool down.

Lucky enough to have Jumped it 5-times in 11/1968 Paratroop training..Noisy and vibrating thrill..

The A/C in the video (#161) was assigned to the 483rd Troop Carrier Wg, 816th Troop Carrier Squadron at Ashyia AB, Japan during my tour there 1960 -66 prior to us transitioning to the C-130A. I flew as a Crew Chief Flight Mech on this A/C on numerous paradrop and SEA resupply missions.

In the US Air Force in the very early years of the Vietnam war I served on the C 119 several years. I've spent many flight hours on this aircraft. I preferred the "C" model as it's engines were the P & W R4360 which had more power than the "G" models. Lots of memories of the C 119.....

In the late 60s / early 70s, used to see these in the sky. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Tawas MI was just north of where I lived as a kid.

In 1968 Airborne Trainees made their jumps from C-119s!

Jet assist was Westinghouse J-34?

What is the take off speed of the C-119?

You need a doctor from the 50 plus grams of sugar in cream soda. 😄

i flew in one when i was 9..my dad crashed in italy dec.13th.1958 lost out of fuel radios not working..etc..22118

No tour of the plane , thumbs 👎👎