C-133A CargoMaster


George Maiorana discusses his award-winning model the C-133A Cargomaster. Video by Nick Murling, Mark Lanterman, and Chad Budreau. Featured in the October 2014 issue of Model Aviation.

George Maiorana is a well-respected craftsman whose aircraft have won several awards throughout the years. His newest creation, a C-133A Cargomaster, is equally impressive. With a 10-foot, 8-inch wingspan, the model took 5 1/2 years to construct. His inspiration came after a trip to the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, when George found the full-scale C-133A parked outside of a hangar. This provided complete access to the aircraft, allowing him to take numerous photographs that he later used to construct the model. George’s aircraft made its debut at the 2014 Toledo R/C Expo in Toledo, Ohio, where it was selected Best of Show. It then traveled to Delaware to take part in the 60th anniversary celebration of the C-133, held at the Air Mobility Command Museum at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on May 9-10. George’s C-133A made its first flight at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana on July 10, 2014, with Dave Pinegar at the controls. Other than a last-minute change from three-blade propellers to two-blade propellers, the maiden flight was a success. It was clear that George and Dave are comfortable working together and they competed in Team Scale at the Nats.

Interview with George Maiorana



Cargomaster Maiden Flight




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19 comments

Submitted by David Pinegar (not verified) on September 23, 2014 - 3:21pm

The second flite i notified George and Vicki that I was going to stall the airplane. There response was a very loud NO!!! As pilot in command I needed to see at what speed and what the stall characteristics of the airplane were like. At a high altitude i reduced power and held the nose level. She slowed then with no warning the left wing dropped °45 nose down. As if the rug was pulled out from underneath me. I quickly released the elevator brought the power back in and was flying again. It's better to find out up high then low and slow on final!!! FYI the C-133 pilots handbook i have from the fullsize one recommends that stall should be avoided!!
Submitted by Marty Hall (not verified) on October 9, 2014 - 1:58am

Stall be a avoided... Mmmmm... wonder why? Even with the Air Forces conservative view of such things, the airplanes looks like it was not built with a full stall in mind, and this model, in the video seems to fly like her full size cousin. I was hoping the music would stop in the video... I wanted to hear the chest beating low, very bass, "Thuuuuuuum" of the engines. When a B-36 or a C-133 went over head, even at 30K, you could feel the prop beat in your chest standing on the ground. What I could hear of the model wasn't quite there, but it was close enough. The landing was pretty scale... nose a little high as she settled into ground effect. The silhouette of the down wind made me think of one in the pattern of Travis coming back from some place in Asia. Once a familiar sight for me. Nice model, nice flight.
Submitted by Steve White (not verified) on November 22, 2014 - 3:42pm

Loved the video of the C-133A. Looked like the real thing I remember from being a crew chief on it's sister ship (0135) at Dover AFB, as 617th OMS squadron, in 1966-67. I always thought the 133 never got the recognition it deserved. Now that yours is so beautifully done I feel that it has. Thank you.
Submitted by Lawrence Parker (not verified) on September 26, 2014 - 11:34am

It's great to see George again. We use to fly together at the indoor USC (Ultimate Soccer City) in Pontiac Michigan. George always had sometime to share with us. Usually, it dealt with building. I miss those day as I had to move to Arizona after my sons death. ANOTHER GREAT JOB GEORGE. And Dave's flying wasn't so bad either !!!
Submitted by bret scofield (not verified) on September 30, 2014 - 10:59pm

why were the three bladed props changed out to 2 blade?
Submitted by Editor (not verified) on October 3, 2014 - 11:56am

One of the three bladed propellers broke so George switched to two blade propellers.
Submitted by Ed Clayman (not verified) on October 3, 2014 - 12:31pm

The carbon fiber multiple component props George made started throwing props so they went to two bladed wood instead of pressing the point and suffering consequences. George is redesigning the blade to hub union then we'll see them in the air. Static judged with multibladed and flying with two blades of of no consequence score wise.
Submitted by bret (not verified) on October 4, 2014 - 5:24pm

I would be interested in more detail about the prop size that was used for the flight and how the determination of what would provide the proper thrust for the this plane needs. Were the props all spinning in the same direction? Was it a matter of these props are close ? How important was the size of the props?
Submitted by George Maiorana (not verified) on October 10, 2014 - 10:13am

Bret, This was the 4th electric of this size for me and 2 of the previous planes flew with the same basic setup of motors and props. The Tu-95 used contraotating 13 inch props with the fronts 10 pitch and the rears 12 pitch. The 3 blades I made for the C-133 were 13 x 10 pitch and and the four of them provide a total of approximately 19 lbs of static thrust for the 40 # RTF C-133 at WOT. Running 5000mah 5S packs for each motor. The 13 inch D is scale to the model. A few years before completion of the model I had tested a prototype 3 blade and was satisfied that 19 lbs of thrust was plenty. The plane flies at about 5/8 throttle. All spinning in same direction. Approx 6k rpm at WOT and 4500 rpm at cruise. We flew on MAS 13 x 10 wood props on the OB motors and 14 x 10 MAS wood props cut to 13 inch on the IB. This decision was made at 2 AM the morning of the maiden and those were the 4 props I had in the shop that morning. The static thrust was the same for the 2 blade setup and the 3 blade setup.
Submitted by bret (not verified) on November 5, 2014 - 10:18pm

thank you for the detailed info. great build!
Submitted by Fred Pierce (not verified) on October 10, 2014 - 4:49pm

I'm looking forward to
Submitted by Rick (not verified) on October 20, 2014 - 7:37pm

I agree with Marty, way too much music.
Submitted by Steve Robbins (not verified) on October 2, 2016 - 9:48pm

George, Have you even done any article on building fiberglass fuselages? I mean from conception to competition? Making a plug, making a mold, then laying the fiberglass?
Submitted by Donald Almeida (not verified) on February 28, 2019 - 6:08pm

I recall visiting Dover AFB and meeting with a retired colonel who flew that airplane. It had a bad reputation for stalling unexpectedly leading to a crash. Most crashes took place during its early years. Only 50 were built and nine were lost in these crashes. Beautiful airplane to look at.
Submitted by George Dzahristos (not verified) on February 28, 2019 - 8:55pm

Nice job fellas...Good to see you two still working together after all these years!
Submitted by Daniel Carlson (not verified) on March 1, 2019 - 1:46am

That final sure gave me the CREEPS!!!! BEAUTIFUL Model!!!!
Submitted by Charlie " Mr ... (not verified) on March 1, 2019 - 8:17am

George , Dave ; good to see you folks still at it in full force ! Grand Job to both of you . Yes I heartily agree with Stall testing , must be a known for successful flight . Keep up the grand work ! Charlie nelson
Submitted by Roland Miller (not verified) on January 20, 2020 - 10:14am

I was in the Air Force from 63 thru 67. After tech school I was stationed at Dover and worked on the C-133 until discharged in December 67. Became a crew chief in 66 and flew with my aircraft until the end of my service. Like many aircraft there were problems and issues to overcome. Like someone said, the aircraft was not very well recognized. It was nice to see someone build an operating model of an aircraft that was not in the public eye. I thank you for all the airmen that worked to keep it flying through those years.
Submitted by rachelleh on January 22, 2020 - 1:19pm

Hi Roland. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the C-133 and sharing your story with us. My cousin is currently stationed at Dover. Happy building!

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