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Description
| Manufacturer: | McDonnell-Douglas | |
| Base model: | C-9 | |
| Designation: | VC-9 | |
| Version: | C | |
| Nickname: | Nightingale | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | |
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| Modified Mission: | Staff Transport | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Known serial numbers
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| Guy E. Franklin Deastville, AL | The C-9A Nightingale is the USAF's off-the-shelf version of the Douglas DC-9-32F airliner used for aeromedical evacuation duties. The C-9C version, originally designated VC-9C, is for special missions or VIP transport. The Military Airlift Command, which became the Air Mobility Command in June 1992, has 20 C-9As (of 21 delivered) and all three C-9C aircraft purchased. C-9B and C-9K versions have gone, respectively, to the US Navy and to Kuwait.
The commercial DC-9 short/medium range airliner, first flown on 25 Feb 1965, offered a pragmatic design with proven performance to fit the USAF's need for intra-theater or tactical aeromedical missions. The first example of the DC-9-30, from which the military transport was developed, flew on 1 Aug 1966. A low-wing transport with wings and empennage swept at 24o and engines mounted astride the rear fuselage, the C-9A offers the capability of transporting a load of patients over some 1,430 miles (2300 km) at economical operating and maintenance costs. Both USAF C-9 versions are powered by two 14,500-lb (64.5-kN) thrust Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 turbofan engines. The C-9A, uniquely identified as a tactical hospital aircraft by a red cross on its tail, has three entrances: two with special hydraulic stairways and the third, with a cargo door measuring 6 ft 9 in X 11 ft 4 in (2.06 X 3.4 m), on the left-hand side with a hydraulic elevator for loading stretcher patients. These make loading of the aircraft independent of ground facilities. Flight crew consists of two pilots with crew chief or loadmaster flying on some missions. On aeromedical missions, the C-9A Nightingale can accommodate 40 litter patients or 40 seated ambulatory patients, plus two nurses and three aeromedical technicians. The special-configuration VC-9C (redesignated C-9C in 1977) was ordered in Dec 1973 and delivered beginning in 1975. C-9C VIP transports are among several types operated by the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Maryland. C-9C: Three C-9Cs were acquired in 1973 for VIP duties, joining a mixed fleet at Andrews AFB. These three aircraft are painted in a striking blue and white livery and are specially configured to transport high-ranking military personnel and government figures. 73-1681 to 73-1683 11/30/2006 @ 10:17 [ref: 14879] |
| Reinhard Puchstein D-32339 Espelkamp, OTH | Nickname \'nightingale\': May come from wellknow nurse FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE, who served wounded soldiers during Balkan-war. The plane is known as a \'flying hospital\'. 05/26/2005 @ 07:52 [ref: 10312] |
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