The first flight of the YC-130 took place on Aug. 23, 1954 at Lockheed’s Burbank, Calif. factory. Its four turboprop engines allowed the YC-130 to take off at only 800 feet. In addition to its enormous lifting power, the aircraft also proved to be much more maneuverable than expected, while meeting or exceeding all other U.S. Air Force performance requirements. The C-130H, the unit’s new workhorse, arrived at the 15 Wing in 1972 and replaced the C-119 fleet.
From the beginning, the C-130 has a large, unobstructed, fully pressurized cargo hold that can be quickly modified to transport troops, stretchers, passengers or airdrops of troops and/or equipment to combat areas. The C-130’s high wing design places the cargo floor at truck bed height above the ground. The C-130 also has an integral “roll-on/roll-off” tailgate. Combined with its massive lift capacity, long range and frugal landing field capabilities, it is a true tactical airlifter.
The aircraft underwent its first “midlife update” in 1991, followed by an avionics update in the late 1990s to remain in service until 2018, when it will make way for the first Airbus A-400M.
Features
Features
Wingspan 14.63 m
Length 10.52 m
Height 3.32 m
Engine 2 Gipsy Six of 200 HP
Maximum speed 251 Km/h
Cruising speed 211 Km/h
Range 900 km
Ceiling 5,100 m
Empty weight 1.466 Kg
Loaded weight 2.500 Kg
Number in service 7
Registration D-1 to D-7
1st commissioning 01 Apr ’47
Decommissioned in 1953
End of use: 17 December 2021
Read more about the C-130H in the book of Serge Verbeeck