Post by flyboy on May 21, 2018 14:13:18 GMT
THE LOCKHEED C-130 HERCULES
Early days
Development of the Lockheed Model 82 as it was known, started in 1951 following recognition of the need for turboprop transport aircraft to serve the USAF. This decision also led to the C-133 being developed. Following the placing of a contract for two prototypes
(designated YC-130s) on July 11th 1951 production contracts were issued in September 1952 and a production line was set up at Marietta, Georgia.
The first production C-130A flew from there on April 7th 1955 powered by 3,750 s.h.p Allison T56-A-1A engines, although later production aircraft had T56-A-9 engines. Delivery of the C-130A to Troop Carrier Command and TAC units commenced in December 1956. The nose profile was changed after the first 27 aircraft were completed to allow the incorporation of APS-42 or APN-59 radar, later the first 27 were retrofitted to the same standard with the easily recognised bulbous nose.
There were of course many different versions of the C-130A which included variants for drone launching, photo mapping, aerial survey, missile tracking, gun-ship, arctic re-supply, search and rescue and even one as a dedicated crew trainer.
There were 231 C-130A versions built.
However, the C-130As that visited Blackbushe in 1958/1959 were the standard version. The list continues to this day as later marks of the ever popular aircraft continue to serve with both military and civilian operators.
Specification:
For later version C-130H.
(C-130A not to hand)
Crew 4
Accommodation Up to 92 troops or 6 freight pallets.
Power Plants 4x 4,910 e.s.h.p Allison T56-A-15 turboprops.
Dimensions Span 132ft 7in, Length 97ft 9in, Height 38ft 33in.
Wing Area 1,745 sq.ft.
Weight Empty 76,780 lb, Gross 175,000lb.
Performance Max Speed 386 mph at 25,000 ft.
Cruise 353 mph.
Initial Climb 2,570 ft/min.
Service Ceiling 33,000 ft.
Range 2,745 st. miles with max payload.
Armament Nil.
C130s Noted visiting Blackbushe:
Reg C/N Type Operator Unit Dates Visited
56-0492 3100 C-130A USAF 463rd TC Wing, Oklahama 4.8.58. .
56-0529 3137 --..-- --..-- 322 Air Div. 4.9.58.
56-0550 3158 --..-- --..-- --------------- 3.9.58.
57-0454 3161 --..-- --..-- 39 TC Wing 3.5.59,4.5.59.
57-0463 3170 --..-- --..-- --------------- 3.5.58 from Evreux.
57-0465 3172 --..-- --..-- 322 Air Div. 17.4.59,18.4.59.
For Information:
56-0492 Crashed and W/O Japan 5.2.64.
56-0529 w.f.u and to AMARC
56-0550 To ground instruction Quonset Point.
57-0454 Crashed and W/O Selfridge ANGB 27.7.75.
57-0463 w.f.u and to AMARC
57-0465 Seized by Viet Cong 4.75.
Credits:
Wikipedia
rzjets
rj for access to his records. (n.b copies of his book still available)
enthusiasts records.
PB for the photographs.
Complete. J.S.M 22.5.18