C-130.

This is coolbert:

One of the most useful and valuable military aircraft of ALL time is the C-130. The Hercules.

"The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 50 years of service, the family has established a solid record of reliability and durability, participating in military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations.

"First flight

The first flight of the YC-130 prototype was made on August 23, 1954 from the Lockheed plant in Burbank, California."

Originally designed as a mere transport aircraft [C=cargo], this aircraft has morphed and developed into all sorts of variants.

"Over 40 models and variants of the Hercules serve with more than 50 nations."

These would include: [but not limited to.]

* The C version transport aircraft.

* The AC version, attack cargo gunship.

* The W version, weather recon aircraft.

* The KC version, aerial refueling aircraft. [Marines]

* The MC version, "Combat Talon" and "Combat Shadow" Special Operations aircraft.




* The HC version, refueling and rescue aircraft. [Air Force and Coast Guard].

* The DC version, drone delivery aircraft.

* The EC version, electronic warfare aircraft.

* The LC version, equipped with skis rather than wheels and tires for landing. For operations in polar regions.

* The PC-130, maritime patrol aircraft.

* The RC-130 reconnaissance aircraft.

* SC-130 search and rescue [no refueling capability as does the HC variant.]

* VC-130 VIP transport aircraft.

There are, in addition, a number of UNIQUE variants of the basic cargo aircraft. More or less experimental aircraft that were not fielded in numbers. This is to include:

* An EC version with a radome on top.

* Atmospheric research aircraft.

* NASA research aircraft.

* High Technology Test Bed aircraft.

* JC-130 and NC-130 space and missile operations aircraft.

* YMC version. Short Take Off Landing [STOL] aircraft for Special Operations missions.



I don't think anyone EVER contemplated that the Hercules would find so many purposes. Was originally designed to be used as transport and that was that. But has proven to be so durable and versatile that it has "morphed" as never any other aircraft has.

A tribute to the designers that such an aircraft has gone through such evolutions, stood the test of time, and presumably will do so for some time to come too.

The original aircraft have been modified over and over with all the different versions. Modifications to include:

* Avionics.

* Engines.

* Flight deck [cockpit].

* Air frame.

The Hercules is like the axe that in it's lifetime has had seven heads and five handles!!

Applications the aircraft have found also demonstrate an innovative approach on the part of the various military services. Find applications originally NEVER thought of when the aircraft was originally designed. As a transport, the C-130 was NEVER expected to be a combat vehicle. But has become one. Versions that fight include:

* Air gunship [the famous AC-130's]. A fighting aircraft.

* Combat Talon and Combat Shadow [used for Special Operations].

* C-130 used as a "bomber". To deliver fuel air explosive and "daisy cutter" bombs when needed.

"The MC-130 variant carries and deploys what are currently the world's largest conventional bombs, the BLU-82 "daisy cutter" and GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb. Daisy cutters were used during the Vietnam War to clear landing zones for helicopters and to eliminate minefields and have recently even been proposed for anti-personnel use. The weight and size of the weapons make existing bomber aircraft impossible or impractical for operational use."



[after reading about the capabilities of the Hercules in all it's manifestations, especially the Combat Talon version, these crews that fly the MC variant are the following in the footsteps of the famous British "Dam Busters" squadron. Low level, night time attack, special-purpose unit carrying special purpose weapons. Sixty years after the fact, the "Dam Busters" live!!]



Along with the B-52, the Hercules can be expected to be around for a long time to come. Another tribute to American engineering and know-how.

coolbert.