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| Science & Technology |
| The venerable C-130 Hercules marks 70 years since its first flight |
| 2024-09-21 |
| [AEROTIME] It is quite remarkable for an aircraft type to remain in active service for 70 years, especially when it is still in production. On August 23, 2024, the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft had been flying for 70 years to the day since its very first flight. Although keeping its general configuration and easily recognizable look, the venerable Hercules has seen numerous iterations since that eventful day of 1954 on which it first took to the skies. Today’s version of the Hercules, the C-130J Super Hercules, which is produced and marketed by Lockheed Martin, is a thoroughly upgraded version with modernized engines and avionics. During all these decades, the C-130 has also been adapted to perform a broad range of missions beyond the original tactical transport role. The Hercules has been used as a tanker, gunship, firefighter, electronic warfare, maritime patrol and special operations aircraft, to name just a few of the jobs it has performed. More than 2,500 C-130s in its different versions have been built since. The first of them was delivered to the US Air Force in 1956, but its versatility has also made the C-130 a best seller among air forces all over the world, with the number of past or current operators being counted in the dozens. It has also had an active role in a large number of conflicts, starting with the Vietnam War, but also in the Falklands War, the two Gulf Wars and many of the post-Cold War conflicts and in support of numerous humanitarian emergencies. Lockheed Martin markets also a version of the Hercules for the civilian market, the LM-100, LM-100J in its latest iteration. With more than 500 C-130J Super Hercules already delivered and quite a few orders in Lockheed’s order book, it looks like the C-130 may well become a centenary aircraft three decades from now. |
| Posted by:Beavis |
| #7 I just went to the Oceana Air Show today to see the Blue Angels with my son and his wife. My Ukrainian daughter-in-law said that her favorite plane was the C-130 Fat Albert. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2024-09-21 20:30 |
| #6 The C-130 MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System)is yet another reason for the amazing respect this aircraft has earned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZurPoIJ57B4 |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2024-09-21 17:52 |
| #5 He said "Tell me if it stops." That's fair. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2024-09-21 14:03 |
| #4 Got to ride one from Elmedorf to Adak, carrying our detachment and tools as well as refuel one of our Intruders. Mission was to certify Adak as a CV divert field. On the way back the crew enjoyed som low level caribou chasing. We guys in back were not as enamored by the yanking and banking…. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2024-09-21 13:55 |
| #3 Flew to Calif in the back of a USMC Herky once. There was a red hydraulic leak running down the inside wall in one spot. Told the crew chief. He said "Tell me if it stops." |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2024-09-21 09:56 |
| #2 A flight in a C-130 for the first time, and seated behind the pilot, is quite a thrill. It gives the appearance that the plane's landing gear won't deploy and the Herc is about to make a belly landing. |
| Posted by: S MAI 2024-09-21 07:38 |
| #1 Mr. Herc: "I am immortal. I shall outlast you, everything and everyone you love. I am eternal. I am time itself. Now. Where's my box lunches?" Happy Birthday to one of the truly great aircraft of all time. Mike |
| Posted by: MikeKozlowski 2024-09-21 06:58 |