Fairchild C-82 Packet: The Forgotten Twin-Boom

Before the Flying Boxcar became a military workhorse, Fairchild’s engineers built an ambitious twin-boom transport that paved the way for it. The Fairchild C-82 Packet was a postwar cargo aircraft that promised big things but struggled to live up to them. Although it served for only a few short years, it played an important role in shaping the aircraft that would follow. Today, the legacy of one particular Packet, serial number 44-22991, lives on through MotoArt PlaneTags, preserved from the legendary Soplata Collection.

A Cargo Plane Ahead of Its Time

Public Domain photo - Link

What was the Fairchild C-82 Packet?

The Fairchild C-82 Packet was a twin-engine, twin-boom military cargo plane built from 1944 to 1948 that introduced rear-loading doors and helped inspire the later C-119 Flying Boxcar.

It was designed in the early 1940s to replace the smaller C-47 Skytrain and C-46 Commando. Engineers envisioned a large, rear-loading cargo plane that could carry vehicles, supplies, or paratroopers directly into the field. The result was a unique twin-boom design with a high wing and rear clamshell doors, allowing easy access to its cargo hold.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines, the Packet was innovative but not without problems. With an empty weight around 40,000 pounds, it was considered underpowered from the start. The plane’s performance was sluggish, and it could not maintain level flight on one engine, a serious limitation for a transport aircraft.

Despite these challenges, the C-82 was a bold step forward. It represented a new era of military logistics focused on speed, versatility, and heavy lifting.

Fairchild C-82A Packet At A Glance

Fairchild C-82A Packet Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Fairchild Aircraft

• Model: C-82A Packet 

• S/N: 44-22991 

• Crew: 4 (Pilot, Co‑Pilot, Navigator, and Flight Engineer/Loadmaster) 

• Wing Span: 106 ft 5.5 in 

• Length: 77 ft 1 in 

• Height: 26 ft 4 in

Fairchild C-82A Packet Performance:

• Max Range: 3,875 mi 

• Max Speed: 248 mph 

• Service Ceiling: 21,200 ft 

• Empty Weight: 32,500 lb 

• Max Takeoff Weight: 54,000 lb 

• Rate of Climb: 950 ft/min 

• Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radial piston

What replaced the C-82 Packet?

The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar replaced the C-82 Packet in 1949. The C-119 featured more powerful engines, a longer fuselage, and greater payload capacity, becoming one of the most successful military transports of its era. Read more about it here: The Flying Boxcar: The Legendary C-119G

How many C-82 Packets were built?

A total of 223 Fairchild C-82 Packets were built between 1944 and 1948. Most served briefly with the U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force before being retired or converted for civilian use.

Where were the Fairchild C-82 Packets used?

The Fairchild C-82 Packet served primarily with the U.S. Army Air Forces and, after 1947, the newly formed U.S. Air Force. It was used for cargo transport, paratroop training, and glider towing between 1946 and 1950, operating mainly within the continental United States and in limited overseas support roles.

A few C-82s were deployed during the Berlin Airlift in 1948–1949, when Western Allies airlifted vital supplies into Soviet-blockaded West Berlin. However, their participation was short-lived. The C-82’s limited engine power and maintenance issues made it less effective compared to more capable transports like the C-54 Skymaster. After the early months of the airlift, the C-82s were withdrawn from front-line use.

Beyond military service, several C-82s went on to serve in civilian cargo operations, aerial firefighting, and even film work, most famously, a modified C-82 starred in the 1965 movie The Flight of the Phoenix.

A Short Flight in U.S. Air Force Service

Public Domain photo, Link

Between 1944 and 1948, 223 C-82s were built for the U.S. Army Air Forces, which later became the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft entered service too late for World War II but was used for cargo and paratroop transport shortly after. Unfortunately, its performance issues became apparent in the field.

Crews reported difficulty handling the aircraft under heavy loads, and its limited power left little room for error during takeoffs or emergencies. As newer designs emerged, the C-82’s career was cut short. However, its shortcomings helped Fairchild engineers identify what to fix next.

After Military Service: A New Life for the C-82 Packet

Although the Fairchild C-82 Packet had a short and challenging military career, its usefulness did not end when it left U.S. Air Force service. Many of the remaining aircraft found new purpose in the civilian world, where their large cargo capacity and rear-loading design were still valuable.

Anchorage C-82 N5102B, Anchorage, AK 6Aug89 flickr photo by Peter M Garwood shared under a Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0) license

Several C-82s were transferred to private cargo and freight companies that operated in remote regions where rugged conditions demanded reliable, high-volume transport. Others were converted for aerial firefighting, parachute training, and humanitarian missions, where their twin-boom design made loading and unloading equipment fast and efficient.

Fairchild C-82 N4832V flickr photo by Bill Larkins shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA 2.0) license

A number of Packets were also turned over to research and development agencies. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) used about 32 C-82s, including MotoArt’s 44-22991, for flight testing and aerodynamic studies in Ravenna, Ohio. These aircraft helped refine handling data and cargo procedures that would inform the next generation of transport aircraft, including the C-119 and later the C-130 Hercules.

While most of the fleet was eventually retired or scrapped by the early 1960s, the C-82 Packet left a meaningful legacy. It bridged the gap between wartime transports and modern airlifters, serving as both a testbed and a workhorse in the evolving world of postwar aviation.

Learning from Failure – The Birth of the Flying Boxcar

The lessons learned from the C-82 Packet directly inspired one of the most recognizable transport aircraft of the 20th century: the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. Engineers reinforced the airframe, upgraded the engines, lengthened the fuselage, and improved its reliability and handling.

Flying Boxcar flickr photo by wgdavis shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA 2.0) license

The result was a much more capable aircraft that went on to serve throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and well into civilian use. In a sense, the C-82 Packet walked so that the C-119 could fly. Its influence can still be seen in the design of later cargo planes that followed Fairchild’s concept of rear-loading efficiency.

NACA’s Experimental Packet – Serial #44-22991

Our featured aircraft, C-82A-10-FA serial number 44-22991, was built in 1944 and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces. By 1950, it had been transferred to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and was one of 32 C-82s assigned to the NACA facility in Ravenna, Ohio.

At Ravenna, this Packet took part in aerodynamic and handling tests that contributed to early postwar aviation research. It served during a pivotal time when American aeronautics was transitioning from wartime engineering into the new scientific age that would eventually become NASA. Though it may not have made headlines, aircraft like 44-22991 were critical to the progress of aviation technology.

Learn more about NACA's legacy from this short video. 

From the Soplata Sanctuary to MotoArt

In 1962, aviation preservationist Walter Soplata acquired the C-82 Packet and transported it to his property in Newbury, Ohio. Over the years, Soplata’s home became famous as a quiet sanctuary for dozens of historic aircraft that might otherwise have been scrapped. His passion for aviation history and his determination to protect these machines ensured that many rare aircraft survived into the modern era.

For more than six decades, 44-22991 stood among Soplata’s remarkable collection. When MotoArt obtained original material from this aircraft, it represented not just another addition to the PlaneTags lineup but a continuation of Walter Soplata’s dream. The C-82 PlaneTags are a direct connection to his vision of preserving aviation history, one plane at a time.

“Walter Soplata’s dedication ensured these aircraft would never be forgotten. We’re honored to carry his dream forward and give new life to the history he saved.”
— Dave Hall

Preserving a Legacy – The C-82 PlaneTags

Each Fairchild C-82 PlaneTag is made from the authentic skin of aircraft 44-22991. It is a piece of aviation history that tells the story of innovation, experimentation, and perseverance. The Packet may not have been a perfect airplane, but it was a vital step in the evolution of cargo transport and an important chapter in the story of Fairchild Aircraft.

This PlaneTag honors both the engineers who designed the first Flying Boxcar and the preservationists who made sure it was never forgotten. It is a rare opportunity for collectors to own a piece of a pioneering aircraft that helped shape the future of flight.

Own a piece of aviation history. Collect your C-82 PlaneTag today and carry on its legacy of progress and preservation.

Related PlaneTags from the Soplata Collection

MotoArt has preserved several historic aircraft from Walter Soplata’s private collection. Each represents a piece of aviation history once hidden away in Newbury, Ohio.

• Douglas C-124C Globemaster II (51-0119) – Nicknamed “Old Shaky,” this heavy-lift transport was destroyed by a tornado before Soplata saved it.

• Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter (51-0253) – A Cold War tanker used for midair refueling of B-47 and B-52 bombers.

• Douglas DC-7 (N4889C) – Former American Airlines flagship preserved by Soplata and later acquired by MotoArt.

• Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune (BuNo 140436) – U.S. Navy patrol bomber that served during the Cold War era.

• Convair B-36 Peacemaker (42-13571) – One of the largest bombers ever built and centerpiece of Soplata’s collection.

• Sikorsky H-34 Seabat – Naval helicopter used for anti-submarine and transport missions, later rescued by Soplata.

• Republic F-84B Thunderjet (45-59504) – Unearthed from beneath a house and featured in the documentary PTO: F-84B. Although not a PlaneTag yet, you'll want to see the film. 

Remembering the Packet

The Fairchild C-82 Packet may not have achieved fame or glory, but its story is one of determination and progress. It bridged the gap between wartime necessity and modern airlift capability, setting the stage for the aircraft that came after it. Thanks to Walter Soplata’s devotion and MotoArt’s commitment to preserving aviation heritage, the story of 44-22991 will continue to inspire collectors and aviation enthusiasts around the world.