Bus Buster UK
160304-105238 (Royal Air Force Hercules C.3 XV202)
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was designed as a troop and freight carrying aircraft capable of operating from unprepared surfaces. Because it was designed from the outset as a military cargo aircraft, the C-130 featured a rear ramp for ease of loading. At the time this was an innovation. The rear ramp also allows air-dropping of supplies.
The first prototype flew in 1954 and deliveries of the aircraft to the United States Air Force began in 1956.
The RAF ordered sixty-six Hercules, and the first of these was delivered in 1966.
This example is one of thirty of the original order that were lengthened, because some regular loads were filling the cargo bay while weighing much less than the aircraft could lift ("bulking out"). Extra length was achieved by inserting additional fuselage sections fore and aft of the wings.
More than 2300 Hercules have been built and there are more than forty variants of the type. The Hercules is used by more than 60 countries and has been in service with its original operator the United States Air Force for more than 50 years.
Type : Medium range tactical transport.
In Service : 1967 - 2011 (new C130Js introduced 1999)
Engines : Four 4,900hp Allison T-56 Turboprops.
Maximum Speed : 600kph (375mph)
Max. Altitude : 10,000m (33,000ft)
Airframe : All metal stressed-skin.
Wingspan : 40.5m (133ft)
Length : 34.6m (113ft 6ins)
Max Loaded Weight : 45,000kg (99,000Ib)
Empty Weight : 34,300kg (75,600Ib)
Capacity : 128 passengers /96 stretchers
64 paratroops
8 pallets
3 Land Rovers or an armoured personnel carrier.
Hercules C.3 XV202 history.
Manufacturers number 382-4226.
Built at Lockheed Marietta, Georgia as a C-130H-130-LM Hercules.
Given USAF serial number 66-8552 this aircraft was one of 66 C-130K Hercules aquired for the RAF between December 1966 and May 1968.
August 1967 : Delivered to the RAF as Hercules C.Mk.1 following painting and fitting out by Marshalls of Cambridge.
1981 : Converted to C.Mk.3, with fuselage lengthened by 15ft/4.57m by Marshalls as one of 30 conversions carried out between 1980 and 1985 using additional Lockheed-supplied fuselage sections fore and aft of the wing.
Used mainly on longer routes and for paratrooping.
To RAF Lyneham Transport Wing, Wiltshire (comprising Nos. 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons and 242 O.C.U, all part of No. 38 Group.
1986 : Retrofitted with in-flight refuelling probe above cockpit, designated C.3P.
1994 : Displayed at international Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloustershire, as part of the Hercules' 40th anniversary and was serving as part of the Lyneham Transport wing.
1st January 2009 : To Marshalls, Cambridge for storage.
March 2011 : Took part in Operation ELLAMY from Malta in support of the Libyan conflict. Subsequently with No.47 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton (the last four Hercules left Lyneham on 1st July 2011, prior to that station's planned closure in late 2012).
12th August 2011 : Flown from RAF Brize Norton to RAFM Cosford. This is thought to be the final landing of the last RAF C.3.
Image Copyright D.J.Ralley 2016.
Not to be used without prior permission.
160304-105238 (Royal Air Force Hercules C.3 XV202)
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was designed as a troop and freight carrying aircraft capable of operating from unprepared surfaces. Because it was designed from the outset as a military cargo aircraft, the C-130 featured a rear ramp for ease of loading. At the time this was an innovation. The rear ramp also allows air-dropping of supplies.
The first prototype flew in 1954 and deliveries of the aircraft to the United States Air Force began in 1956.
The RAF ordered sixty-six Hercules, and the first of these was delivered in 1966.
This example is one of thirty of the original order that were lengthened, because some regular loads were filling the cargo bay while weighing much less than the aircraft could lift ("bulking out"). Extra length was achieved by inserting additional fuselage sections fore and aft of the wings.
More than 2300 Hercules have been built and there are more than forty variants of the type. The Hercules is used by more than 60 countries and has been in service with its original operator the United States Air Force for more than 50 years.
Type : Medium range tactical transport.
In Service : 1967 - 2011 (new C130Js introduced 1999)
Engines : Four 4,900hp Allison T-56 Turboprops.
Maximum Speed : 600kph (375mph)
Max. Altitude : 10,000m (33,000ft)
Airframe : All metal stressed-skin.
Wingspan : 40.5m (133ft)
Length : 34.6m (113ft 6ins)
Max Loaded Weight : 45,000kg (99,000Ib)
Empty Weight : 34,300kg (75,600Ib)
Capacity : 128 passengers /96 stretchers
64 paratroops
8 pallets
3 Land Rovers or an armoured personnel carrier.
Hercules C.3 XV202 history.
Manufacturers number 382-4226.
Built at Lockheed Marietta, Georgia as a C-130H-130-LM Hercules.
Given USAF serial number 66-8552 this aircraft was one of 66 C-130K Hercules aquired for the RAF between December 1966 and May 1968.
August 1967 : Delivered to the RAF as Hercules C.Mk.1 following painting and fitting out by Marshalls of Cambridge.
1981 : Converted to C.Mk.3, with fuselage lengthened by 15ft/4.57m by Marshalls as one of 30 conversions carried out between 1980 and 1985 using additional Lockheed-supplied fuselage sections fore and aft of the wing.
Used mainly on longer routes and for paratrooping.
To RAF Lyneham Transport Wing, Wiltshire (comprising Nos. 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons and 242 O.C.U, all part of No. 38 Group.
1986 : Retrofitted with in-flight refuelling probe above cockpit, designated C.3P.
1994 : Displayed at international Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloustershire, as part of the Hercules' 40th anniversary and was serving as part of the Lyneham Transport wing.
1st January 2009 : To Marshalls, Cambridge for storage.
March 2011 : Took part in Operation ELLAMY from Malta in support of the Libyan conflict. Subsequently with No.47 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton (the last four Hercules left Lyneham on 1st July 2011, prior to that station's planned closure in late 2012).
12th August 2011 : Flown from RAF Brize Norton to RAFM Cosford. This is thought to be the final landing of the last RAF C.3.
Image Copyright D.J.Ralley 2016.
Not to be used without prior permission.