Air Force retires decorated C-130E

Stars and Stripes ^ | Thursday, June 05, 2008 | Scott Schonauer

[Jet Jaguar]

An airman with the 86th Airlift Wing salutes on Wednesday at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as C-130E cargo aircraft "63-7865" taxis down the runway for its final flight before retirement. This summer, the wing will retire five of its aging C-130E aircraft.

[Northern Yankee]

I loved flying in those planes.

They were solid.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Already told the Airforce Museum about this one.Maybe they can stag it on the way to DM.Damn fine A/C to save.

[Jet Jaguar]

Agreed. This is one fine, honorable bird.

[Jet Jaguar]

AZ boneyard candidate.

[Doogle]

http://www.386aew.afnews.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/071113-F-6470S-002.jpg

[Doogle]

whoops forgot to type *LOL* previous post..that link above is a clearer photo ..and can be enlarged

[HiJinx]

Yep, that’s where I’m sure it’s headed. I had a friend/co-worker who preserved aircraft there after he retired.

This would be worth a visit. I’d also keep my eye on the D-M newspaper to see if they cover its arrival.

[SkyDancer]

Are they not building or flying the 130? .....

[HiJinx]

Well then, if Wright-Pat doesn’t snag it, perhaps a call to the Pima Air & Space Museum is in order.

This bird would be a perfect addition to their collection.

[SandRat]

Pima Air Museum is more likely.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

And I agree with that as well.Damn good museum with the 390BG addition.

[Jet Jaguar]

I hope it doesn’t just sit gathering dust.

To a museum. It would be appreciated and viewed daily.

[uglybiker]

The Pima Air Museum is just down the road from there. Maybe they can make room for it.

[blam]

[Yo-Yo]

Are they not building or flying the 130? .....

Yes, they are building the C-130J. Note the six bladed propellers.

[blam]

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks Blam.

[blam]

[Dumpster Baby]

Are they not building or flying the 130? .....

The C-130 has been in continuous production since 1958 I believe. The current versions have "glass" cockpits with computer display screens rather than the old round "steam gauges". So much weight of wiring was eliminated in the process, about 800 pounds, that the planes were too light in the nose. The weight had to be replaced with steel armor panels that were an optional upgrade for planes in combat zones. The current C-130's now have a semi-armored cockpit, even for commercial customers.

The old planes have to be retired because of metal fatigue. Here's what happens when they're flown too long:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDNCac2N1o&feature=related