The C130K has served as the RAF's workhorse since its introduction in April 1967.  The C130K has deployed troops and materiel worldwide from places such as Singapore, the USA, Africa and much of Europe and has participated in almost every humanitarian relief operation undertaken by the RAF. The C130K is roughly similar to the USAF C130, apart from some UK avionics, a stronger main floor in the cargo compartment and a British roller conveyor system for palletized cargo.

Thirty of our original 66 Hercules Mk1s were given a 15 feet fuselage stretch between 1980 and 1985, and re-designated the Mk3.  This increased the available payload quite significantly and ensured that of the 2 marques, the Mk3 became the most tasked.  It also ensured that the Hercules could carry 128 soldiers as opposed to 92 in the Mk1.  After the Falklands War in 1982, we converted another 6 Mk1s into the air-to-air refuelling role.  All our Hercules aircraft are based at RAF Lyneham, near Swindon, in Wiltshire.

The new generation of Hercules, the C130J, entered service in 2000.  25 C130Ks have been replaced with 10 Mk5s (standard) and 15 Mk4s (stretched).  The C130J is a significant advance, with its updated avionics, all glass cockpit and increased fuel efficiency.  Other features include a 6 bladed propeller, and the US roller conveyor system for palletised cargo.

The first Hercules flown was YC-130 on 23 August 1954.  The first RAF Hercules, the C130K, was flown on 19 October 1966, and the C130J-30 on 5 April 1996.

The Hercules entered RAF service on 1 August 1967 at RAF Thorney Island in Hampshire, with No 242 Operational Conversion Unit.  The first overseas unit was No 48 Sqn at RAF Changi (Singapore) in October 1967.  Within a year, Nos 24, 30, 36, 47, 48 and 70 Sqns were all operational on the C130K. The first aircraft to have the 15 feet extension was flown by Lockheed on 10 January 1980, with Marshalls of Cambridge completing the remaining 30 conversions.

Squadrons operating the C130K today are Nos47 and 70 Sqn, and Nos 24 and 30 Sqn operate the C130J.

Our C130 aircraft can be seen at Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and CFB Cold Lake, throughout the year.
 
 

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