How Do You Identify A C-130 Hercules?
Many say Lockheed’s C-130 rivals the legendary DC-3 as the prototypical aviation workhorse. The first of the turboprops was delivered to the US Air Force in 1955. More than 600 of the hard-working Hercules transports remain in service with the USAF, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. Look for a relatively large, four-engine airplane. Note that the engines are mounted with square-tipped, four-blade propellers, and two engines are attached to each wing. Note that the wings are mounted at the top of the fuselage and the wingtips terminate in small bullet-shaped fuel tanks. Note the C-130’s body is boxy in appearance, with a bulbous nose cone and the underside at the stern tapering sharply upward toward the vertical stabilizer. Look at the vertical stabilizer. It reaches nearly four stories in height, with the horizontal stabilizers attached near its base. Look at the aircraft from the rear. Note the clamshell doors, which can open in flight to permit air-dropping cargo. Ch
