Lockheed C-130 Hercules
by
Martin W. Bowman

• span : 132'7"(40.41m)
• length : 97'9"(29.79m)
• height : 38'3"(11.66m)
• wing area : 1,745 sqft(162.12mē)

WEIGHTS

• max normal take-off : 155,000lb(70,310kg)
• overload take-off : 175,000lb(79,380kg)

PERFORMANCE

• max speed at 30,000' : 384mph(618km/h)
• max cruise : 374mph(602km/h)
• ceiling : 42,900ft(13,075m)
• range : 4,900miles(7,885km)

FIRST FLIGHT

• Prototype : 23rd August 1954
• Production : 7th April 1955

WEAPONS (AC-130H Spectre)

• single 105mm(4.13") howitzer
• two 40mm cannon
• two 20mm cannon
• four 7,62mm(0.3") Miniguns

ACCOMMODATION
crew of four plus up to 92 troops


NOTES
The RAF operates around sixty Hercules, mostly from the RAF Lyneham Transport wing. Originally designated C-130 C.1s, they are being converted, stretched in fact, up to C.3 standard, their original American type being C-130H. A new order for C-130Js has been made by the RAF


ROLE
The worlds most popular transport aircraft, capable of most medium lifting roles. Has been used extensively in all manner of war and peace scenarios, from delivering troops and light vehicles to air dropping vital humanitarian aid to the third world. The U.S. has highly effective gunship versions with devastating fire power protruding from the aircraft's sides, called Spectres. Paratroopers jump from them, the Red Arrows transport all their support equipment in them. They land on ice in the Antarctic, by replacing their undercarriage wheels with giant skis. They can act as airborne fuel tankers to refuel fellow Hercs and other aircraft, sometimes by having to go into a short and swift dive to match speeds with faster jets.

UPDATE 1998

The RAF are currently taking delivery of the very latest Hercules, the C-130J. There will be a mix of 15 C.4 (stretched) and 10 C.5 (standard) airframes.

Squadrons using the Hercules:

• No.24 Squadron, RAF Lyneham (C.1/C.3)
• No.30 Squadron, RAF Lyneham (C.1/C.3)
• No.47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham (C.1/C.3)
• No.57 (Reserve) Squadron, RAF Lyneham (C.1/C.3)
• No.70 Squadron, RAF Lyneham (C.1/C.3)

UPDATE 2001

The first C-130J (ZH875) was officially received at RAF Lyneham on 23/11/1999.
The C.4s will be ZH865 to ZH879, and the C.5s will be ZH880 to ZH889.

C1P - XV306 - RAF Lyneham Transport Wing
Bathing in the sunshine, this example supported the amazing Los Halconis Chilean Air Force Display Team on their 1993 air-show season.