Aerospace/Aviation/C-133 90530

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Expert: - 1/30/2008


Question
I was given the Nostagic Plastics web sight trying to find a model of the C-133. Your book was there and I ordered it. Reason for that is my Dad was on the last one that crashed in Nebraska. Did you know him Tsgt James J. Clouse? I also ordered the model. I would like to know were I can find the paint scheme of 0530 and the decals for that plane. You call my at work at 425-717-9961 during the day.

Answer
I'm sure I knew your dad, as I was in the 84th MAS (a navigator) when that accident happened. In fact, I was a summary court for MSgt Joe Tierney, one of the engineers. That duty involved mostly making sure that any government-issued equipment was returned.  As far as paint scheme, the C-133s were all bare metal by that time. There was a white panel behind the words Military Airlift Command that were on each side of the forward fuselage. The only other markings were the national insignia, the side number on the nose and the tail number on the fin. You will find several pictures in the book showing that sceme. The color photo on the back shows the bare metal scheme from below. The airplanes were certainly not at all as colorful as on the front cover.

In fact, as you will see in the chapter on the crashes, there was an old crack under that paint the extended catastrophically at 23,000' that caused the crash.

I'm sorry that your dad was one of those in that rew. I hope the book will give you a good appreciation of the airplane and what he did.

Oh, there is a C-133 reunion in mid-May near Travis AFB. You would certainly be welcome. The info is on my web site. http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/c133bcargomaster/home.html

Sincerely

Cal Taylor
firstfleet@aol.com

Aerospace/Aviation

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Cal Taylor

Expertise

Questions about the Douglas C-133 Cargomaster, its history, operations and technical information. I wrote and published the definitive history of the C-133, Remembering an Unsung Giant: The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster and Its People. Someone has done a good job of extracting material from my book for the article about the C-133 on AllExperts. I AM NOT an expert on educational opportunities in India or other countries and request that such questions be directed elsewhere. I will not answer such questions because I do not have the knowledge to do so adequately.

Experience

I accrued 1,837 hours as a C-133 navigator out of a total of 6,738 flying hours in the USAF. Twelve years of that time were as a crew member, the other years were in various training assignments and as a USAF intelligence officer. My flying experience includes time in the B-52H, C-141, C-133, AC-130, C-130 and the C-5A. I have considerable knowledge in general aviatio history.

Organizations
Air Force Association, Military Officers Association of America, National Association of Uniformed Services, Vasa Order of America

Publications
Journal of the American Aviation Historical Society; Warbirds publication of the Experimental Aircraft Association; Quarterly of the Jimmie Doolittle Museum, Travis AFB, CA

Education/Credentials
BA, HIstory; MA, Asian Studies; MA, Management

Awards and Honors
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, other military decorations

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