Designed in response to a 1951 requirement, the C-130 Hercules is
the most successful military airlifter ever built. Since it first
flew in prototype form on 23 August 1954, more than 2,100 have been
produced in over eighty different versions. Across its variants,
the Hercules serves more than sixty air forces, as well as many
civilian cargo operators, in a multiplicity of roles, including
air-to-air refueller, gunship, airborne command post, flying
hospital and fire-fighter. This rugged and easily maintained
aircraft entered service in 1956 with the USAF Tactical Air
Command. Ten years later the 'Charlie 130' was providing essential
logistical support in Vietnam. This period in South-East Asia was
the Hercules' finest hour. Paradrops, airlift and evacuation
operations were completed around the clock, often at low level,
usually under fire and nearly always in bad weather. A generation
later this 'Mr Dependable' was serving with equal distinction in
the Gulf War in the role of airlifter, radio-countermeasures and
'psy-ops' platform, gunship and, once again, 'block-buster bomber'.
The 'Herky Bird' or 'Fat Albert', as the C-130 is fondly known, has
proved a key component in humanitarian relief operations ever
since, in all parts of the world. The incredible success story of
the C-130 is far from over. Here Martin W. Bowman tells the full
story of this remarkable aircraft at first-hand.
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