The Royal Australian Air Force this week retires the last of its old-model Lockheed C-130H Hercules transports, which it will replace with new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Thanks to Australian reader Snoggeramus, we have several video reports about the Herky-birds' last flight over Sydney. (The video continues with news of the arrival of the sixth and last Boeing C-17 Globemaster III ordered by Australia.)
You can read more about the Hercules' retirement here and here. There's an excellent large-format photograph (suitable for computer wallpaper) here of the last C-130H flying over the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Peter
A fabulous aeroplane in every way!.
ReplyDeleteMy Wife and I were at a small cafe just across the road from Richmond RAAF Base, west of Sydney, about two weeks ago and I noticed one of the Hercs had a brightly painted vertical fin, now I know why.
A fair few hours as a pax in them since 1967, -'A' model, then 'B' and 'H'. After Cyclone Tracy destroyed Darwin on Christmas eve, 1974, the first aeroplane in was a Hercy Bird, it flew about 200ft directly over my wrecked house on approach, I looked up and felt great relief at the sight and sound, a never to be forgotten memory.
Many years ago I bought a book titled 'Herk, hero of the skies', a very appropriate title indeed!.