50 Amazing Facts About The C-130 Hercules

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What do you know about the C-130 Hercules? We mean, really…how much do you actually know? Sure you know it’s a prop plane, sure it’s widely used and sure it carries a lot of cargo. But what about the intricacies of the aircraft, what about the neat historical tidbits? Well, you’re about to have your mind blown by the awesome facts and images of the C-130. Enjoy!



The C-130 Hercules is one of the most versatile aircraft ever produced. It’s seen duty as a cargo transport vehicle, air assault aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, search and rescue, maritime patrol, refueling aircraft and even as a firefighter. It’s been around for a long time and has quite a few stories to tell. Enjoy these 50 amazing C-130 facts and C-130 images that will blow your mind.

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]49.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] Over 2,400 C-130s have been delivered across more than 60 nations. Over 40 different variations of the C-130 exist.


[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]48.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] While evacuating Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the final days of the Vietnam war in April 1975, a C-130 actually lifted 20,000 pounds above its listed maximum payload capacity.


[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]47.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] That 20,000 pound excess from the last fact? It was 452 humans – 360 more people than the C-130 is designed to carry. The C-130 was the last plane not destroyed at the airfie[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]ld, and it was leaving for good in the midst of heavy enemy fire.



[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]46.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] A 105 mm Howitzer is housed inside of the AC-130J variant. The AC-130J is a long-endurance, heavy duty air-to-ground combat plane.

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]45.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] Natural disasters usually see the C-130 respond almost before any other fixed-wing aircraft because of it’s ability to land on short or unprepared runways. However, it appears a natural disaster may have gotten the best of this particular C-130.


[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]42.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] Main versions of the C-130 that are currently in use by the Air Force are the C-130E, C-130H, C-130J and C-130J-30.


[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]41.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] Its latest and possibly greatest variation – the C-130J Hercules – is currently in use in more than 10 active missions worldwide.

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]40.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] The Unites States Air Force, as well as those in Italy, Canada, Norway and Denmark are under contract for more than 300 new C-130Js.
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]38.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] The C-130 has a maximum takeoff weight of 155,000 pounds, which is just about the same weight as a space shuttle.



[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]34.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] The C-130J Hercules has a max speed of 417 mph at 22,000 feet of altitude. The original C-130 could make it up to about 366 mph.


[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]33.[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)] 44,000 pounds of payload is how much the C-130J-30 can carry – the most of any C-130. variation. The rest carry 40,000 pounds or 42,000 pounds.

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Courtesy photo

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]32. According to the Air Force’s most recent stats, the C-130J costs $48.5 million per unit. That is up from around the original $11.5 million of the C-130E.

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65)]28. The GBU-43 is the largest conventional bomb ever dropped in combat. It was dropped by a MC-130.

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