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In 1966 I had a summer job between college semesters at AVCO Aerospace in Nashville, building tail sections for C-130's. It had been in the USAF inventory for quite some time by then. We rode one from Clark AFB to Sydney Australia, and diagonally across the continent to Brisbane on a TDY assignment once. Both of those flights were a LONG haul in a webbing troop seat against the uninsulated aircraft skin! I'd hate to be Tail End Charlie on that low level formation- - - -flying in everybody else's prop wash and wake turbulence!

Just watch 'The Dambusters' again. I can just imagine a squadron of Lancasters doing that same low-level training.

I have ridden on them more than any other platform, by far.

If it’s fully loaded with packs it’s a terrible ride. If it’s not, just fold down the seats for an awesome place for a nap.

Back in the early 2000s, we were in Japan and got a rare clearance to fly over Vietnam. The pilots flew low and slow and brought down the ramp so we could get a good look at the country. It was surreal to think all that happened down there.

They fly out of an ANG base about 30 miles from us. Several go over or house about once a month.

When I was a teenager raking hay on an old International 300, I noticed the equipment behind me getting louder. I turned around and a C130 was making a low level pass directly overhead. Scared the livin' crap outta me!
I'm sure the fellers in the cockpit got a good chuckle.

Be sure to watch the segment starting at 6:55.





LM-100J
"Lockheed Martin’s LM-100J (Model 382J) is a derivative of a C-130J-30 Super Hercules, which is currently the airlifter of choice with 16 nations throughout the world. Through select design changes, the LM-100J will perform as a civil multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient transport of cargo."
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/lm-100j.html

With all the video shows there are things the H models can do the J model can't. After the USMC C-130 crashed over MS a couple of years ago the DOD was negligent in not doing proper inspections on the four blade props.

Jato launch is the best. Only did it once during a night jump at malamute dropzone on Elmendorf. Very impressive

I have a particular fondness for the KC-130. I separated from the Marine Corps as a first navigator. With over 2,000 hours flight time I remember it as a very forgiving aircraft crewed by some of the finest men that exist. Back then navigation over water was celestial, NDB, and with LORAN sometimes. Of course close to land it was Tacan and VOR.

Been quite a few years now but wonderful memories.

I remember some of the old time navigators talking about being very nervous until they saw lights on the Azores.

I have some fond memories of C130's, some nauseating ones involving NOE and some where the pucker factor has never really left, involving Gen 1 nods and landing and landing and finally landing



Joe

I grew up just a few miles from LRAFB which is the Air Force’s C130 training base. I joined the AF later on in life and the got stationed there as a fluke.
I’ve also taken many rides in them to get me in and out of the Balkans and Iraq. I respect the hell out of them, and regret not becoming a loadmaster when I joined the AF.

all i remember from when i was in the Army and was flying in both of them in cargo area ,a C-130 is louder than a C-141 jet. Also ,C-130 has no latrine .just a piss tube going directly outside the A/C.. Sooooo i can safely say , I have pissed on a lot of people