Having been kept in overall natural metal colours when first displayed at the USAFM (my 1973 photo here), it was restored to the earlier white-top scheme when moved into the Cold War Gallery by 1986. First serving the Military Air Transport Service's 1607th Air Transport Wing (Heavy) at Dover AFB, DE, in 1958 it set a world record for propeller-driven aircraft by lifting a cargo payload of 117,900lbs to 10,000ft. Transferred to the 436th MAW in January 1966 and remaining at Dover, it was flown from there to Wright Patterson for the museum in March 1971

Preserved at the museum from 1971. Later moved inside the modern flight gallery.

Flown to the USAF Museum from Dover AFB on 17 March 1971. Still at the museum and on display inside.

Kevin Kerle photo.

This C-133 set a record by lifting 117,000 lbs to 10,000 feet in 1959. Bears markings of the 436th Military Airlift Wing of MAC.

In my distant recollection, the sound of this awesome turboprop lifter was as distinctive and inspiring as that of the mighty Antonov 22. This Cargomaster, one of 50 built primarily to carry intercontinental ballistic missiles, arrived at the USAFM in March 1971 when the fleet had to be retired due to fatigue and was repainted in the white-top MATS scheme in 1986