This is a detailed set of models of Airline Containers (ULD's) and Trolley system, complete with texture sets. All pivot components, bolts, and tarpaulene covers are parented and pivoted for animation. Polygon count is for the trolley only, each container is approximately 5,000 polygons each.

Textures

All major surface textures are 2052 in greatest dimension. Color, Specular, and Bump maps provided. Cockpit controls have their own textures. Photoshop templates for each detail are available for download. You can reduce texture sizes to your liking, the models are fairly light weight.

History

Unit Load Devices, or ULDs, are pallets and containers used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft. They allow large quantities of cargo to be bundled into large units. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort, and helps prevent delayed flights. Each ULD is manifested separately so that its contents can be tracked

ULDs come in two forms: pallets and containers. ULD pallets are rugged sheets of aluminum with rims designed to lock onto cargo net lugs. ULD containers, also known as cans and pods, are fully enclosed containers made of aluminum or combination of aluminum (frame) and plastic (walls) and, depending on the nature of the goods inside, may or may not have refrigeration units built-in.

Aircraft compatibility

LD3s, LD6s, and LD11s will fit 787s, 777s, 747s, MD-11s, L-1011s, and all Airbus wide-bodies. The 767 uses the smaller LD2s and LD8s because of its narrower fuselage. The less common LD1 is designed specifically for the 747, but LD3s are more commonly used in its place because of ubiquity (they have the same floor dimensions so one LD3 takes the place of one LD1). LD7 pallets will fit 787s, 777s, 747s, late model 767s (with the big door), and Airbus wide-bodies.

Special thanks to support from Australia on this project.