National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Visit: Airpark in Winter - McDonnell Douglas YC-17A Globemaster III

By Fred Harl

YC-17A Movie Credits

A recent whirlwind tour of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on a snowy Midwestern winter day produced some interesting views of the aircraft in the Airpark outside of the main museum. Among the unique aircraft at the Airpark is the McDonnell Douglas YC-17A Globemaster III prototype (87-0025).  The aircraft first flew on September 15, 1991, and was used during the test and evaluation program leading to the C-17's acceptance into the U.S. Air Force.  The aircraft was also quite the movie star, appearing in five major movies and country music singer Toby Keith's "American Soldier" music video.  It was retired in 2011 and flown to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in 2012.  Here are some wintry views of the YC-17A: