That scissors lift bed was used to raise cargo to the side of planes like the KC-135 that had a big loading door about 10 feet off the ground, as well as other similar aircraft that did not have front or rear cargo ramps for loading. I believe the KC-97 which would have been in use in 1954 also had a similar type of cargo door. The C-124 had a front ramp and clamshell doors that opened up under the nose of the plane.
Jerry

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