CC-177 Globemaster in Whitehorse
Posted by: explorenorth in Aviation, Photos, Yukon-Alaska StuffAfter dropping our cat Latimer off at the vet’s this morning, Cathy and I went for breakfast at the airport to calm down. While we were sitting there, a Boeing Globemaster landed – and though I always have my camera with me, today I didn’t. We finished our meal, drove home and got my camera and aircraft radio scanner, and headed back (with Cathy’s Dad joining us), worried that we’d miss the takeoff if it was just a quick fuel stop. The plane was still on the ramp, though, and over the next 55 minutes I got the photos below (and many more).
In the first photo, CBC reporter Al Foster and his videographer record the event.
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To the left of the Globemaster are a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and a de Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo which are involved in a search for a small plane that went missing in the Wrangell – St. Elias area on June 20. The Herc got hit by lightning a few days ago and is down for repairs.
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Known most commonly by its US designation, C-17, this aircraft is a CC-177 Globemaster III in Canada. There are 4 of these planes in service with the CAF – this one, 177702, was taken on strength on October 17, 2007, the second of the 4 to be delivered. The total cost of the 4 planes was $1.8 billion.
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The specifications for the CC-177 are impressive: it has a wing span of 51.75 meters (169.8 ft), is 53 meters long (174 ft) and 16.8 meters high (55.1 ft). It can carry 74, 785 kg (164,900 lb) of cargo 4,400 km (2,800 mi) at a cruising speed of 720 km/h (450 mph).
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When the plane leaves the ground, though, the specifications don’t matter – it is just a truly magnificent piece of equipment!
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Headed for CFB Cold Lake (Alberta).
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Latimer was very sick for a few days. Cathy’s online research indicated a possible partial GI obstruction, and the vet agreed that was high on the list of probabilities. Five hundred dollars worth of tests, though, showed nothing. He’s much better but still a bit “off”.
I know you are a pilot; do you own a plane?
I used to have a Cessna 172 ( http://www.explorenorth.com/library/yafeatures/bl-wdm.htm ) but no longer
Everytime I drive by the airport and see these massive planes – I look to your blog hoping you’re going to fill me in on them and what they’re doing here! And you never disapoint, so thanks!
Man oh man! It must have been a heart-pounding treat to watch it take off! It doesn’t look like it would be aerodynamically able to fly. I especially liked the first picture of the take-off where you could see the tower and the plane’s relative size!