[AlaskaErik]

For those not versed in USAF aircraft tail numbers, the first two digits are the year production started on that particular aircraft. In this case, 53-3129 was started in 1953 and was delivered in 1955. When I was in Afghanistan last year, there were 44 year old Herks flying daily missions all over the country. And when the last C-17 is retired, the C-130 will still be in service. As an aside, sometimes the tail number is abbreviated. 53-3129 can also be displayed as 3-3129. Then you have to know your airplanes to know what the first digit is.

[papasmurf]

Thanks for the 411.