Today in flying history 23 Aug 1954 - Herc

[cowpatz]

First flight Lockheed C-130 Hercules, American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft - 63 years!!
The first three were ordered for the RNZAF in June 1963, and delivered in April 1965, replacing the Handley Page C.Mk.3 Hastings.
They were the first H models to be delivered outside the USA. In 1967 two further aircraft were ordered, and they entered service with 40 Squadron in early 1969.





Lockheed C-130 progress film - 1955

Watch on youtube.com

Hercules Documentary

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Herk on a carrier

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Rocket test fail

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Courtesy of Grayson Ottoway

[Splitpin]

CP what a post ...and what an aircraft.

[cowpatz]

Yeah amazing to see them still so popular. A versatile aircraft.
The gunship is my favorite for some reason

[Charl]

+1
I had the Captain Sim version with that cannon poking out the side.
"Flying Fortress" would've been more apt on this one than the B-17 I reckon.