(C-130H) Hercules makes final flypast over Sydney

news.com.au ^ | 19th November 2012

[naturalman1975]

TWO Hercules aircraft will end more than 30 years of service with a final low level flight over Sydney.

The Hercules C-130H planes will fly over Sydney on Monday morning before retiring from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on Friday.

.....

The C-130H has provided tactical and strategic airlift for Australian Defence Force personnel around the world since 1987.

This includes operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Timor.

The planes were used in the aftermath of the Bali bombings in 2002 to carry the injured from Bali to Darwin.

The planes were also used to drop hay to stranded cattle in regional NSW.

"They leave behind a considerable record of accomplishment," said Air Commodore Gary Martin.

"One which all men and women who have worked on this aircraft can take great pride in."

After their final flight, the C-130Hs will be retire to RAAF Base Richmond as the latest-generation C-130J 'Super Hercules' takes over its role with the Air Force.

[BwanaNdege]

C-130J Super Hercules

[Gay State Conservative]

Everything I've ever read indicates that the RAAF is,and always has been,an outstanding service..as are the other branches of Australia's Armed Forces.My sister lives within a mile of US Air Force base which,among other things,services various aircraft including the C-5 and the C-130.All the aircraft that fly over her house (at no more than 500 feet) are impressive closeup.

Having vacationed at Coogee Beach several times it's easy for me to imagine the C-130 flying over the cliffs of Coogee,Bondi and other coastal suburbs of Sydney.

[Traveler59]

A 6-minute video of a C-130J at the Paris Air Show. (Viewers be warned, you may get vertigo)

Paris Air Show 2011

[freedumb2003]

Link is a little broke. s/b http://www.parisairshow.eu/photo-reports/2011-49th-salon/

(think you left out the : in the http)

But I can’t find any videos on that page...

[hosepipe]

Puff the Majic Muzzie Flusher....

[Traveler59]

Hmmmm... Try this link http://www.wimp.com/cockpitview/

[freedumb2003]

That link works — VERY cool!

Thanks!

[llevrok]

The longevity of this air frame speaks to being a nearly a perfect design right out of the box decades ago.

[Randy Larsen]

That was awesome!

Thank You!

[artichokegrower]

Our Coast Guard still uses the C-130H. They were built in the 1980s’.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I don’t think there’s a fair size and up country that doesn’t own at least one Herc or at least the Russian knock off.

[Dartman]

We see these babies up our way every day. They fly out of CFB Trenton (Canada) and practice low level passes at Peterborough ON airport every day. It’s a small airport and prepares the crews for what they will see in the field.

But I really like their nasty brother, the AC-130. Nasty.

[elcid1970]

I saw the Russian version (Antonov An-12) of the C-130 side by side with the Herc in Uzbekistan. No comparison at all, smoky takeoff, funny looking. When the DHC contractor started using them for mail, delivery simply ceased.

[Nowhere Man]

WE still have the C-130H’s here in Pittsburgh at the 911th. When I was a kid, I also remember them flying the old C-124 Globemaster II’s and C-123 Providers, both piston engined aircraft. The C-124’s were real noisy.

[moovova]

Wow! Thanks.

[llevrok]

There are a few US aircraft (off the top of my head) that have perfection status to me. The A10 Warthog, Hercules, B52, C47, Huey. Just great utilitarian airframes that just keep on doing dependable jobs for decades with no complaints.

[llevrok]

There are a few US aircraft (off the top of my head) that have perfection status to me. The A10 Warthog, Hercules, B52, C47, Huey. Just great utilitarian airframes that just keep on doing dependable jobs for decades with no complaints.