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6. C-130 HERCULES Multipurpose Transport
The U S Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National
Science Foundation and governments of 36 foreign nations have
bought more than 1400 C-130 Hercules in 45 versions, and this
remarkable aircraft is continuing in production and remains in
demand by both U.S. and foreign users. Also prominent in
returning freed U.S. prisoners from Vietnam. C-130s played
direct combat roles as gunships in Vietnam and carried more than
two thirds of all combat cargo and passenger tonnage airlifted
by the Air Force within that country. Hercules also serves as a
nation builder, airlifting heavy machinery in India's Himalayas,
carrying massive oil drilling equipment over the Andes and
speeding road construction in Brazil and Peru. Other missions:
air-sea rescue, missile tracking, drone launching, aerial
refueling, ski operations, weather observation. Length 97 ft.,
wingspan 133 ft., maximum cruise 360 m.p.h. Built by
Lockheed-Georgia. |
