Built as a C-119F-FA by Fairchild at Hagerstown, MD in 1953 and converted to C-119J in 1957 with beaver-type rear cargo doors, this Flying Boxcar initially had a regular transport role, but in 1958/59 was modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit. In August 1960, it caught the Discoverer XIV satellite using recovery gear lowered from the open rear door and snagging the satellite's parachute, a winch then reeling in the satellite's film capsule. In 1963 it was flown to Wright Field to await display facilities; my 1973 photo here

Satellite recovery C-119J seen before preparation for display as per my upload from December 2024

Sep '58 to Nov '59: Specially modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit. 19 Aug 60: Made the world's first midair recovery of a capsule returning from orbit when it snagged the parachute lowering the Discoverer XIV satellite at 8,000 feet altitude, 360 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Mov '63: Flown to the Air Force Museum at Wright Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, waiting there for the new museum to open. August '71: Placed on display at the Air Force Museum.

Sep '58 to Nov '59: Specially modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit. 19 Aug 60: Made the world's first midair recovery of a capsule returning from orbit when it snagged the parachute lowering the Discoverer XIV satellite at 8,000 feet altitude, 360 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Mov '63: Flown to the Air Force Museum at Wright Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, waiting there for the new museum to open. August '71: Placed on display at the Air Force Museum.

Delivered to the USAF as C-119F 51-8037 in 1953. Modified to a C-119J in 1956 then specially modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit in 1958/9. Made the first midair recovery of a capsule returning from orbit when it snagged the parachute lowering the Discoverer XIV satellite 360 miles from Hawaii in 1960. To the United States Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB in 1963

This C-119J performed the first midair recovery of an object from space, the Discoverer XIV satellite, in August 1960. It is currently on display at the museum in the space gallery.

Parked outside at the US Air Force Museum in Datyon, OH is this Flying Boxcar.

This Boxcar on display at the National Museum of the USAF has been specially modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit.