C-17 replica becomes recruiting tool

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Kristy Miller
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  What started as a multipurpose vehicle will be transformed into an Air Force recruiting tool when a small-scale replica of a C-17A Globemaster III being built is completed. Volunteers from the 315th and 437th airlift wings here are working on the project.

The idea for the project came from Michael Petersen, 437th AW civilian equal employment opportunity manager, after reading about a miniature C-130 Hercules that had been built at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

"After I talked about my idea, everyone was excited to take on the challenge," he said.

The project officially began in December 2000 when Petersen and two members of the 315th AMXS traveled to Keesler AFB to gather information about the miniature C-130 there.

"We've put in about 150 days worth of time on this project so far," said Tech. Sgt. John Monical, of the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and project manager for the C-17 replica.

"The mission comes first," said Master Sgt. Phil Weidman, assistant team chief for the project. "We don't work full-time on this. We work our regular jobs and when we have time, we work on this."

Building a replica of an aircraft as large as a C-17 is not easy, according to Monical.

The smaller C-17 will be as close to an exact reproduction of the real C-17 as possible but will have some modifications to enhance its recruiting capability. When completed, the replica will be 32 feet long, 13 feet tall and have a wingspan of more than 25 feet. The base of this C-17 is a multipurpose vehicle, which will allow it to be mobile.

The replica will be used as a recruiting tool at air shows, schools, parades and other community events.

"We're going to have a flat-screen monitor on the inside that will play recruiting videos," Petersen said. "There will also be a stereo with a speaker in each engine that will sound exactly like a real C-17 start-up. The flight deck is also designed to look like the real thing."

Petersen said the overall project will end up costing about $20,000. The 315th AW recruiting office purchased the multipurpose vehicle and the first round of paint. Alumni from the 315th AW have contributed as well.

"There are more than 600 alumni of the 315th who have continued to be avid supporters of this project," Petersen said.

"People are just in awe when they see this thing," Monical said. "We're going to give people something to see and touch, something that is truly Air Force."

According to Monical, the miniature C-17 should be complete by August depending on mission requirements. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)