The 1974 test launch of a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile from a C-5 cargo jet nicknamed Zero-One-Four was unprecedented. The Minuteman was designed to be launched from an underground silo, not an airplane.
'Zero-One-Four' makes aviation history —
The 1974 test launch of a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile from a C-5 cargo jet nicknamed Zero-One-Four was unprecedented. The Minuteman was designed to be launched from an underground silo, not an airplane.
Courtesy James Sims/U.S. Air Force
Chief Master Sgt. James Sims took part in the test from Zero-One-Four's 121-foot long cargo hold -- much like the one shown here. It was the best seat in the house, allowing him a vantage point for the entire operation.
The cargo hold —
Chief Master Sgt. James Sims took part in the test from Zero-One-Four's 121-foot long cargo hold -- much like the one shown here. It was the best seat in the house, allowing him a vantage point for the entire operation.
Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes/US AIR FORCE
The missile, of course, wasn't armed with a nuclear warhead. But the risks were still great. If the Minuteman exited incorrectly it could push the plane's nose upward, making it hard to control. Also, the missile might wedge in the C-5's infrastructure, shifting the aircraft's center of gravity. In a worst-case scenario, that might trigger a crash. "There was inherent danger in it," said Sims.
'Inherent danger' —
The missile, of course, wasn't armed with a nuclear warhead. But the risks were still great. If the Minuteman exited incorrectly it could push the plane's nose upward, making it hard to control. Also, the missile might wedge in the C-5's infrastructure, shifting the aircraft's center of gravity. In a worst-case scenario, that might trigger a crash. "There was inherent danger in it," said Sims.
U.S. Air Force
The Minuteman was attached to a special cradle and released on a track leading out the plane's rear exit. Parachutes dragged the missile out of the plane and then pointed it upward.
The missile and cradle —
The Minuteman was attached to a special cradle and released on a track leading out the plane's rear exit. Parachutes dragged the missile out of the plane and then pointed it upward.
U.S. Air Force
A timer, Sims said, sparked the rocket's fiery engines. "It came blasting through the clouds and you got a good view of it," he recalled. It rocketed to 30,000 feet, Sims said -- more than 10,000 feet above the C-5. "It looked like a missile launch from Cape Canaveral," said Sims. It burned for about 25 seconds, and then "cascaded into the Pacific Ocean."
'Blasting through the clouds' —
A timer, Sims said, sparked the rocket's fiery engines. "It came blasting through the clouds and you got a good view of it," he recalled. It rocketed to 30,000 feet, Sims said -- more than 10,000 feet above the C-5. "It looked like a missile launch from Cape Canaveral," said Sims. It burned for about 25 seconds, and then "cascaded into the Pacific Ocean."
U.S. Air Force
Zero-One-Four displays its original paint scheme at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, in April, 1974. This C-5 went on to serve the U.S. military for 39 more years.
That was then... —
Zero-One-Four displays its original paint scheme at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, in April, 1974. This C-5 went on to serve the U.S. military for 39 more years.
Courtesy Manfred Faber
On August 7, 2013, Zero-One-Four made its final flight -- landing at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base, where it began its career. After Zero-One-Four is dedicated at a ceremony at Dover's Air Mobility Command Museum this fall, the facility will be the world's only museum with a C-5 Galaxy.
Homecoming at Dover Air Force Base —
On August 7, 2013, Zero-One-Four made its final flight -- landing at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base, where it began its career. After Zero-One-Four is dedicated at a ceremony at Dover's Air Mobility Command Museum this fall, the facility will be the world's only museum with a C-5 Galaxy.
Courtesy Jeff Brown/Hangar's Digest
Zero-One-Four's nickname comes from the number on its tail: 90014. It arrived at Dover from <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.164aw.ang.af.mil" target="_blank">Memphis Air National Guard Base</a>, its most recent station.
Tail number 90014 —
Zero-One-Four's nickname comes from the number on its tail: 90014. It arrived at Dover from Memphis Air National Guard Base, its most recent station.
Courtesy Jeff Brown/Hangar's Digest
Zero-One-Four touches down at Dover Air Force Base.
Touching down —
Zero-One-Four touches down at Dover Air Force Base.
Courtesy Jeff Brown/Hangar's Digest
Fans of the aircraft who came to watch its arrival "were ecstatic," said Jeff Brown, editor of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Famcmuseum.org" target="_blank">Air Mobility Command Museum </a>Foundation magazine, Hangar Digest.
Drawing a crowd —
Fans of the aircraft who came to watch its arrival "were ecstatic," said Jeff Brown, editor of the Air Mobility Command Museum Foundation magazine, Hangar Digest.
Courtesy Jeff Brown/Hangar's Digest
The museum staff made a rare request for Zero-One-Four to take off again for another go-around flight, said Brown.
One more time... —
The museum staff made a rare request for Zero-One-Four to take off again for another go-around flight, said Brown.
AMC Museum
Former crew chief Rodney Moore, who hasn't seen Zero-One-Four in 30 years, looks forward to the jet's dedication ceremony, set for this fall. "It's going to be like a reunion with an old friend."
Final approach... —
Former crew chief Rodney Moore, who hasn't seen Zero-One-Four in 30 years, looks forward to the jet's dedication ceremony, set for this fall. "It's going to be like a reunion with an old friend."
AMC Museum
Pilots wave from Zero-One-Four's cockpit after its final flight.
Home to stay —
Pilots wave from Zero-One-Four's cockpit after its final flight.
Courtesy Jeff Brown/Hangar's Digest