# C-130 Hercules cargo plane turns 60 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 8, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121 "2015-04-08T13:51:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/21 "2015-04-09T19:55:13Z")
I hitched a ride on one once, when I was about 4 years old. One of the last flights out of Iran before the fall of the Shah. I remember walking up the ramp, being handed orange foam earplugs, and sitting on the side bench. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/22 "2015-04-10T01:09:55Z")
I got to ride a C-130 from Gander, Newfoundland to Trenton, Ontario at Christmas when I was five. I think that we stopped in PEI and Nova Scotia on the way. Thirty someodd years later I still remember the noise and the fact that there were two urinals at the front of the cargo bay. I don’t think that they were intended to transport families :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/23 "2015-04-10T06:01:46Z")
My dad was one of the Australian scientists that flew with a NASA earth survey C-130 when it came out here in the mid-1980’s. I got to go along on the follow-up ground team as a field hand. Still have the mission patch 😃 You can actually buy the aircraft! > **[PlaneCheck Aircraft for Sale - New planes and price reductions](https://www.planecheck.com/index.asp?ent=da&id=14440&cor=y)** > > Quality aircraft ads, real-time price reductions, email and rss alerts, sell your own plane ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/24 "2015-04-10T07:08:05Z")
Flew on one a few times back in the 1990s. Fuck its a loud plane. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/25 "2016-02-15T03:39:31Z")
Bumped. Here’s an AOL News photogallery: [25 photos that show America's most versatile plane can do almost anything](http://www.aol.com/article/2016/02/13/25-photos-that-show-americas-most-versatile-plane-can-do-almost-anything/21311939/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D336860288) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/26 "2016-02-15T16:09:40Z")
Occasionally a plane is built that is just so…perfect may be over-doing it, but it is the best word I have…in design and mission-performance that it becomes not only iconic, but virtually irreplacable. The C-130, along with the DC-3, UH-1 Huey, and B-52, are such planes (albeit the B-52 does not have the flexibility of performing multiple missions as the others do). The Mighty Hercules, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/27 "2016-02-15T16:10:40Z")
I repaired radios on C-130A models back in the late 60’s. Our squadron deployed to Vietnam and Thailand on a regular basis to shuttle troops and drop flares over the Ho Chi Minh trail. We maintenance types could jump on a flight, help toss out flares and qualify for hazardous duty pay for the month. We thought it was cool! Until the first one or two got shot down - then it wasn’t nearly as desirable. Got to see the original “Puff the Magic Dragon” up close and personal. ---
**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/28 "2016-02-15T17:54:37Z")
I hate these things. It’s a perfectly fine airplane, but sitting on a canvas seat getting shaken like a paint mixer for hours at a time is NOT FUN. I’ve never actually vomited in one of these, but I’ve seen more than few people lose their lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/29 "2016-02-15T18:22:46Z")
> [@Fir\_na\_tine](#): > > I repaired radios on C-130A models back in the late 60’s. Our squadron deployed to Vietnam and Thailand on a regular basis to shuttle troops and drop flares over the Ho Chi Minh trail. We maintenance types could jump on a flight, help toss out flares and qualify for hazardous duty pay for the month. We thought it was cool! Until the first one or two got shot down - then it wasn’t nearly as desirable. > > Got to see the original “Puff the Magic Dragon” up close and personal. I remember seeing Puff in 'Nam. Well, we couldn’t actually see the aircraft, as it was nighttime, but the streams of tracers from the miniguns were spectacular. Come to think of it, it may have been one of the original AC-47s, rather than an AC-130. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/30 "2016-02-16T04:53:05Z")
Great timing! I get to PJ in a C-130 tomorrow night. Nothing like leading a chalk of jumpers through a pitch black door, 1000ft up in the night sky. Good times. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/31 "2016-02-16T23:45:32Z")
Congratulations, C130!! We’ve shared so many memorable times together! [![](http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/32 "2016-02-17T02:37:32Z")
… ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/33 "2016-02-20T15:32:22Z")
One of my favorite warplanes, along with the Warthog. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/34 "2016-06-09T16:38:16Z")
See the second pic here: [Elephant walk (aeronautics) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_walk_(aeronautics)) ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/35 "2016-06-11T00:15:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > See the second pic here: [Elephant walk (aeronautics) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_walk_(aeronautics)) Sweet! Thanks for that link. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/36 "2017-07-20T19:54:30Z")
A Brazilian replacement for the Herc?: [Brazilian plane takes on an American military icon](http://money.cnn.com/2017/07/20/news/companies/embraer-kc390-military-transport-lockheed-c130-super-hercules/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/37 "2017-07-21T05:06:28Z")
Without a doubt the best ramp jump ever. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/38 "2017-07-21T05:44:37Z")
Little Rock’s economy benefits because of the The Little Rock AFB. It’s the primary C-130 Hercules training base for the Department of Defense. A lot of bases have closed. We’re very thankful that our base still has an important mission. They have held a few public media days at the base. Showing off the C-130’s. I’ve seen footage on our local news broadcasts. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/39 "2017-07-21T15:22:11Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A Brazilian replacement for the Herc?: [Brazilian plane takes on an American military icon](http://money.cnn.com/2017/07/20/news/companies/embraer-kc390-military-transport-lockheed-c130-super-hercules/index.html) It seems like a cool plane and all. Like a C-17 with dwarfism. But they’ll have to prove its short-field/austere-field performance, because in those circumstances, the Herc is simply money. There’s almost nothing else like it. Can the 390 throttle down for a safe [LAPES](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-altitude_parachute-extraction_system) delivery? Never seen or heard of that done by anything other than a Hercules. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121/40 "2017-07-22T07:48:06Z")
_C-130 rollin’ down the strip Marine artillery gonna take a little trip_ It was a good ride, from Alameda CA to Fort Sill OK. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121.md?page=3)