C 130 Hercules In The Raf

A highly illustrated celebration of fifty years of the Hercules in service with the Royal Air Force.

“An engaging retrospective on the long-lived and ubiquitous C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter . . . Sweeping in its scope . . . an invaluable reference.” —Aviation History Designed in response to a 1951 requirement, the C-130 Hercules is the most successful military airlifter ever built. Since it first flew in prototype form on August 23, 1954, more than 2,100 have been produced in over eighty different versions. Across its variants, the Hercules serves more than sixty air forces, as well as many civilian cargo operators, in a multiplicity of roles, including air-to-air refueller, gunship, airborne command post, flying hospital, and firefighter. This rugged and easily maintained aircraft entered service in 1956 with the USAF Tactical Air Command. Ten years later, the “Charlie 130” was providing essential logistical support in Vietnam. This period in Southeast Asia was the Hercules’ finest hour. Paradrops, airlift, and evacuation operations were completed around the clock, often at low level, usually under fire and nearly always in bad weather. A generation later, this “Mr. Dependable” was serving with equal distinction in the Gulf War in the role of airlifter, radio-countermeasures, and “psy-ops” platform, gunship and, once again, “block-buster bomber.” The “Herky Bird” or “Fat Albert,” as the C-130 is fondly known, has proved a key component in humanitarian relief operations, as well, in all parts of the world. “Martin’s technical and informative look at their creation and use is absolutely fascinating. An iconic aircraft gets Martin’s VIP treatment in this wonderful book.” —Books Monthly “A history of an aviation great, from the pen of a popular and well-established author of aviation history.” —Firetrench

Read the legendary story of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, seen through the eyes of former RAF captain Scott Bateman 'An engaging and revealing read' - JOHN NICHOL --- Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow. Whether it’s war, natural disaster, or humanitarian emergency, for over fifty years the RAF’s Hercules force was the first in and last out of any crisis faced by the UK government around the globe. First conceived in the 1950s, the US-built Lockheed C-130 Hercules earned its spurs flying difficult and dangerous missions in the Vietnam War before entering service with air forces around the world. Originally designed as transport aircraft, the Hercules has been pressed into service as an aerial tanker, gunship, spyplane, air-sea rescuer and bomber. Instantly recognisable, it became synonymous with daring special forces missions like the legendary raid in Entebbe in which dozens of hostages were rescued from the clutches of terrorists. In RAF colours it's seen action on every continent on the planet including Antarctica, flying life and death missions in the Falklands, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan and all points in between. Former RAF Hercules Captain Scott Bateman opens the cockpit to give an action-packed insider’s account of what it’s like to fly this legendary flying machine in peace and war, and at home and abroad, paying tribute to the remarkable men and women who operated this much loved aircraft, and to those comrades in arms who, in doing so, made the ultimate sacrifice.

The C-130 Hercules first flew in 1954, an easily maintained aircraft which entered service with the USAF Tactical Air Command. Ten years later the 'Charlie 130' was providing the essential logistical support in Vietnam where a new landing technique, the Khe Sanh approach, added to the Hercules folklore. Paradrops, airlift and evacuation operations were completed around the clock, often at low level, usually under fire and nearly always in bad weather. AC-130 gunships blasted the Ho Chi Minh Trail at night, Lamplighters and Blind Bats dropped flares, and others scattered defoliant, 'pancake bombs' and 15,000 'Big Blue' block-busters. But more than anything else it was in the role of 'Trash and Ass hauler' that the C-130 earned unstinting admiration from ground troops and aircrews alike. The 'Herky Bird' or 'Fat Albert', as the C-130 is fondly known, went on to serve with similar panache in the Gulf War and in humanitarian relief operations around the world. Today, the modern C-130J version continues to provide the effective support for which the Hercules name is renowned.

Transport aircraft are vital for both strategic and tactical tasks to support national security objectives, military exercises and training, and humanitarian aid. Despite a decreasing fleet size, and an increasing need for maintenance and upgrades, the Ministry of Defence is meeting the requirement for Hercules aircraft to transport military personnel and freight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hercules aircraft are available to fly on planned missions 85 per cent of the time. This report found increased stress on the aircraft has been caused by landing on unpaved airstrips in Iraq and Afghanistan, additional use of air drops, as well as a change from transporting people and equipment over long distances to making short flights in theatre. More wear and tear' has resulted, and increased maintenance costs. Fatigue, which decreases the life span of the wings, is accumulating more rapidly than in the past. The Department has had to retire four aircraft during 2006 and plans to retire a further five C-130Ks during this year, ahead of their planned retirement date of 2010. The Department will also need to address shortened wing life on the newer C-130J. The initial estimate for the number and type of spares for the C-130J was inaccurate, leading to some spares shortages. Whilst the shortages have not been allowed to affect aircraft deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq, on average Hercules C-130J have been unable to fly for 24 days a year for lack of parts. The Department has a shortage of engineering staff, and the RAF estimates that additional personnel would give increased aircraft availability. The focus on operations has meant there are fewer aircraft available for training. Aircrew on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan fly on average 60 hours per month, as opposed to 13 hours for aircrew based in the UK. Simulators are not able to replicate fully flying the Hercules C-130, as they have not kept pace with modifications and upgrades to the aircraft. As a result, there is a danger that the broader skills base of crews could be eroded in the future. There are also significant risks to the future ability of the Department to provide sufficient airlift to the armed forces. These include the withdrawal from service of the Hercules C-130K, the late delivery of the planned A400M transport aircraft, and a reduction in the anticipated service life of the C-130Js wings from flying in more challenging environments during operations. These issues could leave the RAF with a shortage of fixed wing aircraft.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules and its Variants chronicles the development and career of the world's predominant military airlifter, from its origins in the depths of the Cold War through the present day. Over 170 photographs, many never before published, show the "Herk" in a variety of roles and paint schemes; coverage includes gunships, electronic warfare and reconniassance models, testbed and special use aircraft, and Navy/Models. Close-up detail photos of several variants will be of interest to scale modellers.

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