Gemini Jets 1/400 USAF Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy 85-0009

Conceived in the early 1960's, the United States military forces had a requirement for an out-sized transport aircraft, that would replace the current fleet of C-124 and C-133 propeller transport/cargo types. In the end, there was a big battle between Boeing with their 747 offering and Lockheed with what would be the winning bid for the C-5 Galaxy in September 1965. Ironically, the loser Boeing, would have a far more lucrative sales success story with the 747 in the civilian market, despite losing the military bid. During the development of the 2 types, their huge size would test many aspects that were never seen in aviation before, for mass production. There were no current engines available that could handle the weight and size of the new transports, so power-plant manufacturers were just as busy in their own developing of an engine capable of the task.

The first C-5 (A Model) Galaxy rolled out on 02 March 1968. Flight tests commenced later that year on 20 June. The massive size of the Galaxy was instantly impressive and most had never seen something so huge, lift off the ground so gracefully. In June 1970, the first airlift wing to receive the Galaxy was the 437th at Charleston AFB in South Carolina. Early on, the Galaxy unfortunately experienced severe development cost overruns that were the subject of many congressional hearings/investigations. Despite struggles with the Galaxy and L-1011 Tristar civilian programs, Lockheed made good on maintaining the programs.

Lockheed produced 81 of the initial C-5A transports through 1967. In July 1982, the US Congress approved the purchase of 50 additional units that were an updated version of the Galaxy, referred to as the C-5B. Deliveries of the C-5B started in January 1986 and were completed by April 1989. Starting in 1998, a program commenced for a cockpit upgrade to bring the Galaxy to much more modern avionics standards. The final chapter of the Galaxy's development commenced in the mid 2000's for a re-engining program. Identified as the C-5M Super Galaxy, the aircraft features much improved General Electric newer technology CF6-80C2 engines that offer far more performance and efficiency. The Super Galaxy completed development testing in August 2008. In January of 2017, the last of the C-5B models were removed from service awaiting their conversion to C-5M standard. This means that the USAF fleet is now all C-5Ms. The last aircraft under conversion to C-5M standard was delivered in 2018.