Wings Over The Pacific
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Lockheed C-130 Hercules

If there ever was an aircraft that represented a pick-up truck, then the C-130 Hercules is it. Put it in and get it there. So sound and well designed was the basic prototype, that the several different production variants differ little externally from that first Herc.

The first prototype flew August 23, 1954. The production Hercs (C-130A) began flying on April 7, 1955. In 1964 a C-130 landed on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, without the use of arrester cables, catapults, or JATO. Note that the JATO system is not used in Canada any more due to the fuselage stress.

Click on the gallery to the left to see much more of the mighty Hercules.

The C-130 Hercules is certainly entering the twilight of it's flying career, but undoubtedly many will be flying for at least another 25 years in a variety of roles all over the world.

Specifications; Engines (four) Allison T56-A-15 turboprops 3,362 kW. (4,508 ehp.), Wing span; 40.41 m. (132' 7"), Length; 29.79 m. (97' 9"), Maximum take-off weight; 79,379 kg. (175,000 lbs.), Maximum speed; 621 km/h (386 mph.), Range 4,000 to 8,264 km. (2,486 to  5,135 miles), Armament: some gunship versions.

Wings Over The Pacific was updated November 10, 1998