Cargo lift is one of the basic and primary necessities for an organization to run successfully and efficiently, for this various aircraft industries have manufactured a special and very important breed of air crafts. These air crafts are only meant for heavy duty to light duty transportation of equipment, passengers and troops. Their defenses are limited and thus are not meant to fight in any kind of war until or unless they are modified to do so like the AC-130 Gunship, a special breed of successful transport aircraft the C-130 Hercules.


Here I have compiled a list of the most popular cargo airplanes ever built in the history of aviation. I may have missed out some so feel free to comment.

C-130 HERCULES



C-130 is most successful aircraft ever developed by the Lockheed Martin. More than 70 countries right now are using these aircraft for multipurpose roles. This aircraft is easy to maintain and also fuel efficient.

ILYUSHIN IL-76



Il-76 also known as ‘Candid’ is a soviet built aircraft and is used primarily for strategic airlifts. Originally built for the military, the plane is also used for the delivery of outsized or very heavy cargo.

ANTONOV AN-12



An-12 also known as ‘Cub’ is also a soviet made aircraft design to compete with the American built aircraft C-130. Presently nearly 40 countries are operating An-12 for various purposes.

C-47 SKYTRAIN



The Douglas C-47 or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. Due to its popularity more modified C-47′s were built later.

ANTONOV AN-32



An-32 also known as ‘Cline’ is a Russian made aircraft meant for military transportation. The An-32 is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and enjoys excellent take-off characteristics under tropical and high-altitude conditions.


CASA CN-235



CN-235 is twin turbo-prop engine built in Spain and Indonesia. This aircraft was designed for light duty lift and was made for the military as well as commercial use. Nearly 30 countries are presently using this aircraft.

C-17 GLOBEMASTER III



C-17 is a US made aircraft built by the Boeing industry. The C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout the world.

ANTONOV AN-124



An-124 also known as ‘Condor’ is a Russian-Ukraine built aircraft and has the honor to be the biggest cargo plane in the world.


TRANSALL C-160



C-160 is a military transport aircraft. It is turboprop-powered and of conventional configuration for aircraft of this type, with high wings, and a loading ramp built into the rear of the fuselage.

C-27J SPARTAN



C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft, with the engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. Nearly 8 countries are using this aircraft for military air lift purpose.