Boeing CC-177 Globemaster

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III is a four-engined large strategic transport aircraft that forms the backbone of the US Air Forces strategic air lift forces. The aircraft harks back to the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 demonstrator of the early 1980s which won the C-X contract in the US. The C-17 was originally developed by McDonnell Douglas who then merged with Boeing in 1997. The C-17 has been designed to operate from short and narrow airfields utilising advanced blown air flaps giving it excellent STOL performance. The type can also operate from unpaved airstrips, when necessary, a capability the USAF practice in the Nevada desert on a regular basis.

Canada initially ordered a fleet of four C-17s from Boeing during early 2007 and was afforded early delivery by the diversion of aircraft already in production for the USAF. Their first aircraft was delivered during August 2007 and in 2014 a fifth and final aircraft was ordered. Designated as the CC-177 Globemaster III in Royal Canadian Air Force, the fleet are operated by 429 Transport Squadron based at CFB Trenton near Toronto and since delivery have been heavily involved in global military and humanitarian operations.

As part of our celebrations of the RCAF 100th anniversary, a single CC-177 will be on static at this year’s Air Tattoo.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper