The Implementation and Testing of New Types of Aircraft

The Berlin Airlift presented an ideal opportunity to put new procedures and types of aircraft to the test. It often became apparent that the new models were not always actual improvements. Apart from wind tunnel and prototype tests, especially operational testing under real-life conditions provided crucial insight into the efficacy and efficiency of the new aircraft types. However, these tests did not always go according to plan and flight operations at Gatow Airfield imposed high requirements.

The C-74 Globemaster successfully completed 24 flights to Berlin. However, runway damage in Gatow ultimately led to the withdrawal of the aircraft from the Operation Airlift on 24 September 1948. Similarly, the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, which was based on the development of the B-29 and B-50 aircraft, was employed over Berlin as of 2 May 1949. After an engine failure and the subsequent emergency landing in Gatow, the landing gear of the YC-97A (45-59595) was severely damaged to such an extent that it was only repaired after the airlift ended. This also caused considerable damage to the manoeuvring area, leading to a temporary closing. Despite the low production numbers – there were only 77 units of type C-97 aircraft – the US Air Force decided to produce another 811 units of the strategic type KC-97 tanker aircraft because of their high demand for tanker aircraft for their steadily growing strategic bomber fleet. Apart from its Boeing 377 Stratocruiser passenger aircraft version, this type C-97 tanker aircraft reached its brief peak in deployment in the mid-1950s.