smudge,
in theory you are correct about overloading the a/c with pax. However this really only applies to 'normal' pax with a book weight of 180lbs. (is this figure still in use ?). So in theory we could load up to the max of say 90 plus two ALMs provided you had the fuel on first. This of course was on the original 'K' with a TOW of 155000lbs.
However a war load of troops (or paras) was a quite different proposition ! Even trying to get accurate figures for the weight of their kit was a task in itself especially away from a main base.
When half the 'K' fleet was stretched the seat figure went up to 128, with a corresponding increase in the para figures. To partly compensate the TOW of the stretch was upped to 160000lbs from 155000lbs. Iniitally the landing weight was left at 130000lbs but certain trips (mainly Taceval) caused problems so it was upped to 135000lbs. Paradoxically the original frames had their landing weight upped too!
The ZFW remained the same for both marks at 117892, an amazingly 'accurate' figure. And do not get me started on the fuselage bending moments !!!!