NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules can operate from rough dirt strips and is the prime transport of the West for parachuting troops and equipment.
The four engine cargo hauler has been used for airlift support, DEW Line, Arctic supply missions air medical missions, aerial spraying, air tanker, and a host of other missions.
It remains in production over fifty years after its first flight. C-130 aircraft have accumulated over 22 million flight hours.
On February 2, 1951, the United States Air Force issued a request for a fleet of turboprop transport aircraft with a range of 1,265 miles that would seat 64 fully equipped troops and be able to fly out of rough, short airstrips. These were to be used by the Military Airlift Command (MAC) and the Tactical Air Command (TAC).
On July 2, 1951 Lockheed beat out other manufacturers to receive the USAF contract to develop the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
On August 23, 1954 the aircraft took to the sky for the first time.
On April 7, 1955 the first production aircraft flew.
In December of 1956 deliveries to Tactical Air Command units began.
To date over 2,000 Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft have been built.
Series J:
Compared with earlier models, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules J has a 21 percent higher top speed and a 50% increased rate of climb.
It has 40% more range and can cruise at a 40% higher altitude than prior models.
Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprops feature 15% better fuel efficiency while having 29 percent additional thrust.
Six bladed propellers are lighter and have fewer moving parts.
In the cockpit there are liquid crystal display (LCD) instruments for all major aircraft functions.
The pilot and copilot use two holographic head-up displays and four multifunction head-down LCD displays.
All displays are night vision imaging system compatible.
There are dual redundancy mission computers which provide system diagnostics.
In November of 2009 Lockheed Martin announced an anticipated increase in production of C-130 "J" series aircraft for
export to countries in the Middle East. In 2009, some sixteen aircraft should have completed assembly. Lockheed is
expecting to increase its total production of "J" series Hercules aircraft for export to at least thirty a year by 2011.
One of the most capable of all air tanker aircraft, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules is used by numerous agencies. It is equipped with MAFFS, Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System.
The system is designed to quickly convert the aircraft in to an air tanker. It consists of a total of seven components aboard the aircraft plus a ground based air compressor.
It is capable of being installed in about 120 minutes. Replenishment of compressed air and retardant is accomplished in a little over 15 minutes. The MAFFS on board system holds 3,000 gallons which can be delivered in 6 to 8 seconds.
In November of 1963 a Lockheed C-130 Hercules landed on the carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) without use of arresting gear.
The aircraft weighs the most and is the most massive aircraft to ever land aboard an aircraft carrier.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc C-130 Hercules from ASM. The ARF has a 100" wing span. Recommended power are 4 x .25 - .36 engines.
Radio Control Airplanes
Pictured above is the rc C-130 Hercules from ASM.
The first picture below is of the great looking rc C-130 Hercules built by Joe Grable.
The middle picture is of the C-130 Hercules rc from Nitro Planes.
In the last picture below is the rc C-130 Hercules from GWS.
Kit Cutters has the scale model rc C-130 Hercules for sale from Uncle Willies Plans. It has a 65" wing span. You can power it with either O.S. .10 engines or electrically.
Kit Cutters has the rc C-130 Hercules RC Airplane from Nexus Plans. Wing span is 108". It needs 550 motors for power.
Kit Cutters has kits for the C-130 Hercules rc from Dan Palmer Plans. Their 52" wing span rc airplane uses .051 engines for power and weighs 4+ lbs. Their 87" wing span model has a length of 64". It uses .25 engines for power and weighs around 11 lbs.
The largest Kit Cutters rc C-130 Hercules from Palmer Plans has a wing span of 133" and a length of 98". You can power it with four .49 engines. It should weigh around 22 lbs. all up.
Pence Aviation has a rc C-130 Hercules kit for sale. It is giant scale with a wingspan of 108" and a length of 61 1/2". Fuselage is all glass and wings are made from foam. You can power it with .25 - .46 two stroke engines or electric motors. Weight is around 19 lbs.
Electric Aero Modeling (EAM) sells a rc C-130 Hercules kit. It is a foamy with a 60" wingspan and 39" length. With four Speed 280 size motors it will weigh around 2 1/2 lbs.
Do you have a favorite rc C-130 Hercules? Please email us if you do.
Radio Control Airplane
Joe Grable's 141" wing span rc C-130 Hercules. It weighs in at 43 lbs. ready to fly and is powered by 4 x .91 Saito 4 cycle engines.
Radio Control Airplane
C-130 Hercules rc sold by Nitro Planes. It has a 60" wing span and is made from foam. Power comes from 280 motors.
Radio Control Airplane
GWS rc C-130 Hercules. It has a 44" wing span and a 33" length. Included for power are four EDP 50 motors.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
