Happy Birthday C-130

hairy · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:15 pm

Happy Birthday Herky Bird, 50 Today.

First flight of first production C-130A (53-3129) 7th April 1955.

(I know I'm early for most of you but it is 7th april already here in NZ :wink:

)

JBoyle · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:48 pm

I can't think of any other military aircraft that stayed in production for 50 years.

In fact, what other plane has had a long (or longer) production life?

The only civilian competition is the Beech Bonanza...even though new A36s have very little in common (other than the Type Certificate) with the original model 35s that flew on Dec 22, 1945.
Also, I believe the Bonanza line has been shut down a couple of times.

Soon another contender will be the Bell Huey (ff 20 Oct. 1956). Models with basically the same airframe (but not engines or rotor systems) are still being built.

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:56 pm

How about the B-52? If not it's close. Or are updates disqualified?

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:08 pm

the c-130 is so ugly that it's gorgeous!!! between the b-52 & the c-130 i can't think of 2 other pieces of military hardware that have given more bang for the buck to the over burdened tax payer since the post korean war!!!! (excluding u.s. navy ships of course!!) the pentagon is far from perfect, remember the $200.00 aircraft toilet seats?? but i salute the pentagon on the longevity of both aircraft types!! best, tom

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:10 pm

the coolest though is the spooky gunships!! deadly beautiful!!

hairy · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:28 pm

By the way they keep playing up, you would think think that our (RNZAF) C-130s were built on the 8th of April 1955.

As for the AC-130.....too KEEWL!

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:27 pm

Can't have a birthday party without piccies, sorry none of my own..we'll
have to settle for these until other guests arrive! One of the B-day girls..
Scrolldown half way for Spectre www.gunships.org/index2.html

Cone, anyone?? www.gunships.org

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:32 pm

I got to see a Beautiful C-130H fly over tonight. What a great site. I wish it was one of the units LC-130s, I always enjoy those a bit more.

Some of the Kiwi's near Chirstchurch might know a few of these, They spend a bunch of the year down by you.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/167 ... 1441WbGlEY

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:46 pm

I'm kinda partial to the stretched, civilian, L382G Herc - it keeps groceries on my table!

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:05 pm

Dan Jones wrote:

I'm kinda partial to the stretched, civilian, L382G Herc - it keeps groceries on my table!

Remember... you promised to let me know when you are making a trip to Ottawa in that. I am sure I saw it overhead a few years ago.

Mike

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:34 pm

Not only that Mike, I'll give you the whole tour. I was in Ottawa with it in...November 2003 I think, but we got in very late and then headed for Baffin Island the next morning. Next time though I will definately call. :-) How' the North Star coming?

JBoyle · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:08 pm

airnutz wrote:

How about the B-52? If not it's close. Or are updates disqualified?

We're talking new-build production...the 52 was produced between '52 and 62. There is still a lot of old metal in the 52Hs...

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:11 pm

Yeah...I didn't think I'd get away with that one. The Herk earned 'er
bones, fair and square!!

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

Here's to my good friend Patrick "Tico" Pentico who was killed along with eight others when his Mighty Herk crashed on 31Mar05. The world will be worse off without him in it.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.....

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:30 am

Very sorry for your loss, Brad.

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Happy Birthday C-130

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