Customer Reviews

Remembering An Unsung Giant - The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster and Its People

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is obviously a labor of love for a kind of orphan- there really aren't too many histories of unglamorous cargo planes (often referred to as trash haulers). The C-133 is covered in detail, both development and operations. Not well known today, too big for most museums and not as sexy as a fighter or bomber, the Cargomaster was essential to the USAF for moving the first ICBMs around the country from factories to launch sites. Great aviation book.

I have over a hundred and fifty aviation books and this one is one of the very best in my collection. Cal did what few do in single plane books, he dug deep and didn't just rely on USAF histories and photos. Cal interviewed former crew members (he was a navigator on C 133s), went through news archives, even researched county legal records. No detail escaped Cal's scrutiny. You not only get a very thorough written and photographic history of the C 133's USAF and civilian career, but you learn what it was like to be a crew member. if only Cal would write a similar book about the C 97! This book is worth every penny of its price. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Mark

Cal Taylor's book on the C-133 is, truly, one of the very best and most comprehensive histories of an aircraft type I've ever read. The C-133 was once the biggest airlifter in the world, and Col. Taylor has done full justice to this amazing aircraft and the men who flew her. In combination with the full context he provides for the C-133's genesis and design; the airplane's worldwide service and unusual missions; the evolution of MATS to MAC (now AMC); the C-133 unit histories; the accidents; the plane's "after history" in civilian service; and -- a highlight -- the many first-hand, personal reflections (including his own) of crew members, including all crew positions: Col. Taylor has done an altogether complete and amazing job! - Bill Withuhn, USAF Spcl Ops (Ret)

I was stationed at Dover AFB where this Plane called home. The only part of the C-133 left at Dover AFB when I was there was the mighty C-133 Winch. They would use it on the C-5B for heavy duty cargo winching jobs. I also met some crewchiefs that worked on her at Dover while I worked for USAirways, in Charlotte, NC. This is a great book full of history about the people and the plane. Lots of photos too. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone with a love for aviation, history or would like to learn some very interesting facts about this great plane the ones who worked on and flew her. You will enjoy it.

Cal did a terriific job on this book. I was stationed at Dover AFB from 1963-1966 as a flight line Jet Engine Mechanic on the C-133A. I was part of the Engine Conditioning Team.

I felt like I was walking down memory lane reading about the C-133 and the missions it took part in. It was a great plane, however it had a downside with safety concerns. Cal covered these issue in detail, changing rumors to facts. I enjoyed reading about the TDY's I took part in and the many places the C-133 took me to overseas.

I had the privledge to fly on the C-133A many times and was thrilled to see it still flew after retirement. If you worked on the Douglass C-133A&B this is a must read.

This is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the C-133 and the people who crewed them. Cal Taylor has done a remarkable job of saving the history of this airplane.

This is was one of most informative books I've ever seen on the history of the C-133. It is packed with info and pictures. I highly reccomend it.

This was obviously a labor of love! This is the most complete view of this unsung aircraft that shouldered the load for so many years. This book is a must have for any Historian, Model builder or airplane nut! It also give a much needed insight into the cold war Air Force. The best parts are the details of post Air Force use! Highly Recommended

The following comments came from Paul Schmidt, Illinois and are posted with his permission.

I have just completed reading of your book, "Remembering an Unsung Giant",and want to thank you for the very evident hard work that you put into it. I don't think I have ever read another book on a single aircraft that was so comprehensive and at the same time so readable. I have always had an interest in the C-133, as it usually appears in those few aircraft museums that have one without so much as a shred of explanation about its history or use, yet it so obviously has a very interesting background. Thanks to you, I can honestly say that all my questions have been answered. Kudos!

Paul Schmidt

Just received my copy as a Xmas gift from my daughter and have just started previewing it. A lot of the people mentioned in the book I knew when I was a LM at Dover. I especially liked the picture of the "old Drifters Reef" on Wake Island. During my service I was able to experience first hand the atmosphere of Drifters Reef before it was "remodeled". Excellent book so far.