Lockheed Unveils New Super Versatile Special Operations C-130 Variant

The Drive ^ | JUNE 20, 2017 | TYLER ROGOWAY

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I've always thought that if properly outfitted and insulated, it would make a great personal luxury aircraft.

Good fuel mileage as compared to a jet and doesn't need a hugely long airstrip. Plus, plenty of room.

[Skooz]

The C-130 may well go down in history as the finest airplane ever built.

[hdstmf]

I was involved with the first C-130A models 1956. I think it was the first operational turbo prop aircraft. When I saw the engines it was hard to believe the thrust. It was only about two foot long. My prior experience was with the 28 cylinder R4360 recip engines common to big bombers and transport aircraft. In 1958 a C-130 “disappeared” on a cross country flight. It turned up long after it would have run out of fuel. It was reported that it had simply shut down two engines and kept on flying.

[archy]

“C-130 rolling down the strip
Airborne ranger going to take a little trip.
Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door,
Jump right out and count to four.”
>>Special operators have been singing that song for half a century. What an airplane!<<

Basic trainees were Jody-calling that tune when I went through basic at Ft Knox in 1966. The Drill Sfgts took particular amusement in pushing the Airborne gung-ho stuff to those of us slated for further training as tankers.

Including me, who eventually wound up with 10th Special Sorces Group at Bad Tolz, and my pal Skip, who wound up getting the Medal of Honor.

Yeah, we reeeelly needed that Jody call motivation. My first jumps were out of the C119 *Dollar Nineteen* *Vomit Comet* though, later obnes out of a C160 Transall.

[ought-six]

Britain had turbo prop aircraft before 1956, such as the Vickers Viscount.