c/n 50000. US military serial 72-1875. The YC-15 was designed to fly against the Boeing YC-14 in the AMST (Advanced Medium STOL Transport) competition, which was intended to replace the USAF C-130 fleet. Neither was eventually ordered, although the C-17 owes much to its YC-15 predecessor. This was the first of the two aircraft built. When the program was complete the aircraft was retired to AMARC, but in 1981 it was moved to the Pima Air Museum, along with one of the YC-14s. In 1996 it was returned to flight status to support the C-17 program. On 11th July 1998 the No1 engine suffered a massive failure during flight and the aircraft made an emergency landing at Palmdale. It sat there for ten years before being moved, by road, to Edwards AFB. Four years later, the second aircraft (72-1876) was scrapped on Celebrity Row at AMARG, making this the only surviving example. Part of the AFFTC Museum, it on display at the West Gate to Edwards AFB, CA, USA.