Airlift experience during World War II demonstrated the need for a large-capacity cargo aircraft that could be loaded from ground level, and Fairchild designed the C-82 Packet to meet the U.S. Army Air Forces’ requirements. The prototype first flew in September 1944, and deliveries began in late 1945. By the time production ended in September 1948, Fairchild had built 223 Packets. All but four were C-82A models. Named for the packet ships that hauled cargo between coastal seaports, the C-82 incl