The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft.

Jun 26, 2023 · The Hercules sported a number of different camouflage schemes during its RAF service, perhaps most short lived being this desert scheme from Operation Granby in 1991. An order was placed in 1994 for 10 standard C-130J (C Mk 5) and 15 longer C-130J-30 Hercules (C Mk 4), the first arriving at RAF Lyneham in 1998.

Oct 17, 2023 · The Lockheed C-130 Hercules retired from the UK RAF, making way for the Airbus A400M Atlas. The C-130 Hercules had a long and successful service with the RAF, used in various operational roles and humanitarian missions.

Mar 27, 2023 · After 57 years of outstanding service in both K- and J-form, Britain’s Royal Air Force has taken the unpopular decision to retire the beloved C-130 tactical transport. Former RAF C-130 pilot, David Thombs, reveals the good, the bad and the ugly truth of the C-130.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The C-130J is the newest version of the C-130 Hercules, and the only model currently in production.

Jun 20, 2023 · Officially, the RAF will stand down the C-130 and 47 Squadron that flies it on June 30, 2023. To celebrate the aircraft’s service and retirement, a trio of C-130s flew over locations of significance in England, Wales, North Ireland and Scotland.

Jun 14, 2023 · The RAF association with the C-130 began back in the early 1960s when it needed to replace several different types of transport aircraft with one design. After a UK design was cancelled, the decision was taken in 1965 to order 66 Hercules aircraft to support RAF operations around the world.

May 23, 2023 · Yesterday the C-130J Hercules completed a salute to the nation in a farewell flypast across the country. Flying over RAF stations and places of significance to the aircraft's history, it was a fitting goodbye in preparation for it's retirement on 30th June 2023.

Jun 15, 2023 · A farewell flypast for the Royal Air Force’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft took place today as the service’s remaining J-models approach retirement later this month. C-130s — starting with legacy C-130K models — have been in operational service with …

Lockheed Martin received the launch order for the J-model from the RAF, which ordered 25 aircraft, with first deliveries beginning in 1999 as Hercules C4 (C-130J-30) and Hercules C5 (C-130J). The standard C-130J had a flyaway cost of US$62 million in 2008.