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Vietnam - AC-130 Mission, QuickTime movie, 1.1Mb, 320x240.
| | Lockheed Model 82 (C-130 Hercules)
C-130A Hercules: The Hercules is a classic airlifter, and as such is the mainstay of many Western air arms' tactical transport capabilities. The type is still in full production and development into more advanced forms, yet has its origins in the early 1950s. From the time it became embroiled in the Korean War (1950-1953) the US Air Force found that its Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar tactical transport, which had only just entered service, lacked adequate performance and payload. In February 1951, therefore, the USAF issued a requirement for an advanced tactical airlifter to Boeing, Douglas, Fairchild and Lockheed. The requirement called for the ability to carry 92 infantrymen or 64 paratroops over a radius of 1,100 nm (1,267 miles; 2038 km) or a freight payload of 30,000 lb (13608 kg) over radius of 950 nm (1,093 miles; 1760 km), and other features required of the new type were two side doors for minimum-dispersal paratroop drops as well as an integral rear ramp/door arrangement that could be opened in flight, the capability to operate from short and indeed unprepared airstrips, and the ability to fly at speeds down to 125 kt (144 mph; 232 km/h) in paradropping operations or even lower for assault landings.
In July 1951 the Lockheed Model 82 was declared winner of the design competition, securing an order for two YC-130 prototypes. The company's object had been to exceed the USAF's requirement wherever possible, and the core of its design was a hold of nearly square section with the length to accommodate a sizeable payload comprising a whole range of tactical equipment in a volume of 4,500 cu ft (127.43 m3). | |  |
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