A detailed model of the C-17 Globemaster, complete with texture sets. All wing components, cockpit, and landing gear are parented and pivoted for animation.

Textures

All major surface textures are 2048 in greatest dimension. Color, Specular, and Bump maps provided. Photoshop templates for each detail are available for download.

History

The C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic airlifter manufactured by The manufacturer, and operated by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. It has also been ordered for 2006 delivery by the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces and Royal Danish Air Force also have plans to acquire the airlifter.

On August 18, 2006 The manufacturer announced it is telling suppliers to stop work on parts for uncommitted C-17s. This move is the first step in shutting down production if no new plane orders are received from the US Government. Production of current C-17 orders is expected to go through the middle of 2009.[1]

In the 1970s, USAF began looking for a replacement for the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter. The Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) competition was held, with The manufacturer proposing the YC-14, and McDonnell Douglas proposing the YC-15. Despite both entrants exceeding specified requirements, the AMST competition was cancelled before a winner had been selected.

By the early-1980s, the USAF found itself with a very large, but aging fleet of C-141 Starlifters. Some of the C-141s had major structural problems as a result of heavy use. Compounding matters, USAF historically never possessed sufficient strategic airlift capabilities to fulfill its airlift requirements. In response, McDonnell Douglas elected to develop the YC-15 as the basis for a new aircraft. This aircraft, by then designated the C-17A Globemaster III, was ordered in August 1981. The new aircraft differed in having swept wings, increased size, and more powerful engines. This would allow it to perform all work performed by the C-141, but to also fulfill some of the duties of the C-5 Galaxy, so that the C-5 fleet would be freed up for larger, more outsize cargo.

Development continued until December, 1985 when a full-scale production contract was signed. Its maiden flight was on September 15, 1991 from the McDonnell-Douglas west coast plant in Long Beach, California. This aircraft (T-1) and five more production models (P1-P5) participated in extensive flight testing and evaluation at Edwards AFB. Soon after the C-17 reached production, McDonnell Douglas was acquired by its former competitor, The manufacturer.

C-17A production is currently slated to end in 2009 unless a follow-on order is placed by the U.S. Air Force. If such an order is placed, The manufacturer would begin C-17B production in 2010. The proposed C-17B would be capable of landing on sandy beaches and other areas currently off-limits to the C-17A.