Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the tactical transports category.
01 / Overview
Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter
Category
Country
Production
1947–1958
Quantity
77
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · EARLY COLD WAR
29
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the tactical transports category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1944
- Service Entry Year1947
- Crew5
- Primary RoleLong-range heavy military cargo aircraft
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney R-4360B Wasp Major
- Number of Engines4
- Power (each, turboprop)2,610 kW
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Cruise Speed550 km/h
- Top Speed603.45 km/h
- Service Ceiling10,668 m
- Maximum Range6,920 km
- Unpaved / Short FieldNo
◇Cargo & Capacity5MOD.5
- Maximum Payload15,876 kg
- Cargo Hold Volume130
- Troop Capacity134
- Vehicle CapacityTwo 2.5-ton trucks or light tracked vehicles
- Rear Loading RampYes
◆Aerial Refueling3MOD.3
- Aerial TankerYes
- Refueling Method (boom/drogue)Flying boom
- In-Flight RefuelableYes
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length33.528 m
- Wingspan43.05 m
- Height11.7 m
- Empty Weight37,422 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight79,379 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built77
- Operators3
- Variants97
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1978
- Production Start1947
- Production End1958
- Operational StatusLimited airworthy examples
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1947Production started
- 1958Production ended
- 1967First deployment: Nigerian Civil War
79
years in service
11
years in production
77
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
05 / MASS Score
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
113TACTICAL TRANSPORTS29EARLY COLD WAR · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS1222UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS95PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTactical Transportscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Aerial tanker: military aircraft equipped to refuel other aircraft in flight using a system of hoses or booms.
Capable of receiving fuel from another aircraft while in flight, extending its operational range and endurance.
A hinged rear fuselage section on military transport aircraft that lowers to enable direct loading/unloading of cargo or vehicles from the aircraft's tail.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources