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After 60 years, C-130 still a 'magnificent machine'
Tim Nguyen regards the C-130 “Hercules” as a “good friend.” The 60-year-old military aircraft has been the focus of his professional career, and quite possibly saved his life. During the 1975 Fall of Saigon, Nguyen -- then serving in the South Vietnamese air force -- escaped on the last C-130 out of Vietnam. (www.foxnews.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I inspected C-130's for a number of years at Lockheed, they had their share of issues like any plane but the H model was the best and still flys in a lot of countries. Just like in any big military program, the Company lobbies Congress to keep building them even if the Military says " we have enough " that is how the J model came about, it has upgraded power plants and avionics but pretty much does the same thing as the H models plus it has the 6 blade composite props from Downey that are problem areas. Hundreds of various models are parked in the Az desert that still are useable.
Good Old Lockheed.
Even if Lockheed is building them, all graft and corruption aside, they built a plane this time. Military can be manipulated but too much civilian use here to be denied. You got to give the devil his due.
Just like the DC3, it has surely earned it's place in aviation history. Probably the two best airplanes the military ever had and more than likely the C130 will be around in civilian applications long after the military discontinues them.
I flew around the Mediterranean from Genoa Italy to Rota Spain in a Navy C-130 in 1965 stopping at Nice France and Barcelonia Spain. They had trouble regulating the heat roasted some of the time,froze the rest of the time.
The C-130 did it job.....many times over too.
Thank you AF.
A great ride indeed.