The C-130 Hercules is a highly successful military airlifter serving globally in numerous roles. This book describes its history, performance in wars like Vietnam and the Gulf War, and its diverse functionalities from airlifter to gunship. Characteristics ISBN-13 9781861262059 ISBN-10 1861262051 Book cover finish(es) Hardcover ( square spine binding ) Special Features Dust Jacket Condition Like New Author(s) Martin W. Bowman Publisher The Crowood Press Ltd Number of pages 160 Published date 1999 Language(s) English Collection / Series AVIATION CROWOOD SERIES Size 22.86 x 29.85 x 2 cm Categorie(s) • APPAREILS - CONSTRUCTEURS• AVIATION MILITAIRE Description Designed in response to a 1951 requirement, the C-130 Hercules is the most successful military airlifter ever built. Since it first flew in prototype form on 23 August 1954, more than 2,100 have been produced in over eighty different versions. Hercules serve more than sixty air forces, as well as many civilian cargo operators, in a multiplicity of roles, including air-to-air refueller, gunship, airborne command post, flying hospital and firefighter.This rugged and easily maintained aircraft entered service in 1956 with the USAF Tactical Air Command. Ten years later the 'Charlie 130' was providing the essential logistical support in Vietnam where a new landing technique, the Khe Sanh approach, added to the Hercules folklore. South-East Asia was the Hercules' finest hour. Paradrops, airlift and evacuation operations were completed around the clock, often at low level, usually under fire and nearly always in bad weather. AC-130 gunships blasted the Ho Chi Minh Trail at night, Lamplighters and Blind Bats dropped flares, and others scattered defoliant, 'pancake bombs' and 15,000 'Big Blue' bomb clusters. But more than anything else it was in the role of 'Trash and Ass hauler' that the C-130 earned unstinting admiration from ground troops and aircrews alike.A generation later this 'Mr Dependable' was serving with equal distinction in the Gulf War in the role of airlifter, radio-countermeasures and 'psy-ops' platform, gunship and, once again, 'block-buster bomber'. The 'Herky Bird' or 'Fat Albert', as the C-130 is fondly known, has also proved a key component in humanitarian relief operations in all parts of the world.This incredible success story is far from over. The C-130J is a low-risk, off-the-shelf, modern version of the Hercules, incorporating state-of-the-art technology to provide a cost-effective replacement for any twenty-year-old Hercules.Martin W. Bowman tells the full story of this remarkable aeroplane in this new addition to the Crowood Aviation Series.
