This C-119J Flying Boxcar made the world’s first mid-air recovery of an object returning from space. In August 1960, it caught the Discoverer XIV satellite using recovery gear lowered from the open rear door.
Fairchild C-119J
Flying Boxcar
The C-119 Flying Boxcar was developed shortly after WWII to carry heavy loads of cargo, paratroopers or medical patients. Its wide rear doors and a fuselage parallel to the ground made it easy to load and unload. It first flew in 1947 While the J model was specially developed to catch satellite film recovery vehicles, Flying Boxcars also played an important role in the Korean War carrying troops and supplies.