Transall

The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft, jointly developed by France and Germany. The acronym "Transall" is derived from "Transport Allianz," the consortium formed to design and build the aircraft. The C-160 was initially conceived in the late 1950s to replace the aging piston-engine transports used by the French and German air forces. The first prototype flew in 1963, and production began in 1967.

The C-160 is a high-wing, twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed for tactical and strategic airlift duties. It is capable of carrying a wide variety of cargo, including personnel, vehicles, and equipment. Key features include a rear loading ramp, allowing for rapid loading and unloading, and a short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability, enabling operations from austere airfields.

Several variants of the C-160 were produced, including the C-160D (German Air Force), C-160F (French Air Force), and C-160Z (South African Air Force). Later upgrades and modifications led to variants such as the C-160NG (Nouvelle Génération - New Generation), featuring improved avionics and capabilities.

The Transall C-160 served extensively in various military and humanitarian operations worldwide. While production ceased, many C-160 aircraft remained in service with various air forces for several decades, playing a crucial role in military transport and disaster relief efforts. Replacement aircraft, such as the Airbus A400M Atlas, have gradually replaced the C-160 in many roles.