Jan 162019
Boeing lost to Lockheed the competition that produced the C-5. But Boeing wound up making out like bandits; they took their efforts and turned it into the 747 and sold the hell out of ’em. Lockheed of course wanted in on that action, but their efforts to turn the C-5 Galaxy into a civilian aircraft by way of the L-500 were unsuccessful. Plans were in place for both passenger and cargo haulers, with various pitches such as stuffing the aircraft full of automobiles.
This was from 1970. Those Cadillacs and Continentals suggested as alternatives would soon fall victim to the early 70’s OPEC oil embargo and the subsequent skyrocketing price of gas.