The most versatile military transport aircraft ever built, the C-130 Hercules has been in continuous production for more than half a century and has seen service with more than 50 different air forces around the world. No other aircraft has shown such continuous durability and her adaptability has ensured that the Hercules in all her many manifestations is the ultimate success story of aviation and military design. Originating in the 1950's when the USAF needed an aircraft with heavy cargo lifting ability, troop-carrying capacity, and the ability to operate safely from the most primitive of runways, the Hercules has appeared wherever there has been a crisis, war, or emergency. In combat, no matter whether in tropical jungle, desert landing strips, or almost-impassable terrain, the C-130's homely and familiar profile has arterialized where she was most needed. From the icy wastes of Antarctica to the earthquake-stricken island of Haiti in January 2010, the aircraft has arrived on the scene laden with medical and emergency supplies, aid teams, and heavy lifting gear. This is the full story of the Hercules and a faithful record of all her exploits over half-a-century, in her many guises, from gunship in Vietnam, to flying hospital in Arabia, and is fully illustrated with many original color and black-and-white photographs. All Hercules types and many foreign air forces and civilian operators are covered, including their varied uses and multiple roles. This complete aircraft history also contains a type listing, details of sub-contractors, exhibits and museums, together with color aircraft profiles which combine to make The Lockheed Martin Hercules essential reading for the aviation enthusiast or historian.

“An engaging retrospective on the long-lived and ubiquitous C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter . . . Sweeping in its scope . . . an invaluable reference.” —Aviation History Designed in response to a 1951 requirement, the C-130 Hercules is the most successful military airlifter ever built. Since it first flew in prototype form on August 23, 1954, more than 2,100 have been produced in over eighty different versions. Across its variants, the Hercules serves more than sixty air forces, as well as many civilian cargo operators, in a multiplicity of roles, including air-to-air refueller, gunship, airborne command post, flying hospital, and firefighter. This rugged and easily maintained aircraft entered service in 1956 with the USAF Tactical Air Command. Ten years later, the “Charlie 130” was providing essential logistical support in Vietnam. This period in Southeast Asia was the Hercules’ finest hour. Paradrops, airlift, and evacuation operations were completed around the clock, often at low level, usually under fire and nearly always in bad weather. A generation later, this “Mr. Dependable” was serving with equal distinction in the Gulf War in the role of airlifter, radio-countermeasures, and “psy-ops” platform, gunship and, once again, “block-buster bomber.” The “Herky Bird” or “Fat Albert,” as the C-130 is fondly known, has proved a key component in humanitarian relief operations, as well, in all parts of the world. “Martin’s technical and informative look at their creation and use is absolutely fascinating. An iconic aircraft gets Martin’s VIP treatment in this wonderful book.” —Books Monthly “A history of an aviation great, from the pen of a popular and well-established author of aviation history.” —Firetrench

A complete close up of the Famous C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in use with over 70 Air Forces. Every part of the aircraft is included in the over 500 photos. In the 65 years of service so far, many types have been developped and are all included: C-130H, EC-130H Compass Call, EC-130J Commando Solo, the gunship versions: AC-130W Stinger II and AC-130J Ghostrider, the MC-130J Commando II, MC-130H Combat Talon II, HC-130P Combat King I and HC-130J Combat King II, the Hurrican hunter WC-130J Weatherbird, the ski-equipped LC-130 and fire-fighting C-130s. Includes 14 pages of cockpit and 14 pages of maintenance! A unique and complete reference book!

Lockheed C-130 Hercules and its Variants chronicles the development and career of the world's predominant military airlifter, from its origins in the depths of the Cold War through the present day. Over 170 photographs, many never before published, show the "Herk" in a variety of roles and paint schemes; coverage includes gunships, electronic warfare and reconniassance models, testbed and special use aircraft, and Navy/Models. Close-up detail photos of several variants will be of interest to scale modellers.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules has been in continuous production for over six decades, longer than any other military aircraft in the world, and no end of production is yet in sight. The Hercules has been a part of US combat operations since Vietnam, and the airframe, which began life as a simple transport, has been adapted to a variety of roles, including gunship, electronic warfare, refueling, and rescue. This book chronicles the development and use of the Hercules from concept to combat. Through dozens of archival photos, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples of surviving vehicles, these iconic armored fighting vehicles are explored, and their history is explained.

A highly illustrated celebration of fifty years of the Hercules in service with the Royal Air Force.

Jerry Thigpen's study on the history of the Combat Talon is the first effort to tell the story of this wonderfully capable machine. This weapons system has performed virtually every imaginable tactical event in the spectrum of conflict and by any measure is the most versatile C-130 derivative ever produced. First modified and sent to Southeast Asia (SEA) in 1966 to replace theater unconventional warfare (UW) assets that were limited in both lift capability and speed the Talon I quickly adapted to theater UW tasking including infiltration and resupply and psychological warfare operations into North Vietnam. After spending four years in SEA and maturing into a highly respected UW weapons system the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) chose the Combat Talon to lead the night low-level raid on the North Vietnamese prison camp at Son Tay. Despite the outcome of the operation the Talon I cemented its reputation as the weapons system of choice for long-range clandestine operations. In the period following the Vietnam War United States Air Force (USAF) special operations gradually lost its political and financial support which was graphically demonstrated in the failed Desert One mission into Iran. Thanks to congressional supporters like Earl Hutto of Florida and Dan Daniel of Virginia funds for aircraft upgrades and military construction projects materialized to meet the ever-increasing threat to our nation. Under the leadership of such committed hard-driven officers as Brenci Uttaro Ferkes Meller and Thigpen the crew force became the most disciplined in our Air Force. It was capable of penetrating hostile airspace at night in a low-level mountainous environment covertly to execute any number of unconventional warfare missions.

Since 1943, scores of remarkable aircraft have rolled out of the hangars occupied by Lockheed's top-secret Skunk Works program. This in-depth look at the famous research-and-design team's secret projects reveals the nuts and bolts behind aircraft ranging from the P-80 Shooting Star to today's X-35 Joint Strike Fighter prototype. While the emphasis is on high-profile products like the U-2 Dragon Lady, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk and F-22 Raptor, the book also examines Skunk Works projects that have yet to be covered in book form, including the Tier III Minus DarkStar unmanned air vehicle and the X-33 VentureStar orbiter. Photographs from Lockheed and private archives help explain how the Skunk Works have revolutionized military aviation from the jet age to stealth and beyond.

From February 1967 to April 1968, David Vaughan flew the Lockheed C-130 Hercules in Southeast Asia. Initially a co-pilot, he moved up to aircraft commander and then instructor pilot as he mastered the challenges of landing on very short, unimproved airstrips in difficult terrain and bad weather. He describes his progression from inexperienced novice to veteran flyer as he learned his trade under combat conditions. Vaughan's airlift missions took him to more than 50 fields in South Vietnam, from the Delta in the south to the DMZ in the north, carrying supplies, mail, food, ammunition, and soldiers alive, wounded, and dead. Among his most harrowing flights were resupply missions into the U.S. Marine base at Khe Sanh during the most intensive days of the 1968 Tet offensive. This expanded and revised edition of his memoir details several additional episodes and features more than twice as many photographs as appeared in the original edition.