American transport aircraft Lockheed C-130 Hercules COBI 5839 - Armed Forces 1:61

You know that:

• The Hercules transport aircraft was developed based on a US Air Force requirement for a rugged aircraft capable of carrying cargo up to 2,000 miles.
• The first flight of the prototype YC-130 took place on 23 August 1954.
• The design of the aircraft was inspired by the successful Lockheed Constellation, which served as a transport aircraft during World War II.
• The original C-130 was designed to carry troops and cargo, but a number of other versions were later developed, including a version for paratroopers and rescue workers.
• One of the C-130's most distinctive features is its high payload capacity. The aircraft can carry up to 20 tons of cargo or 92 soldiers.
• The C-130 was also the first aircraft to be equipped with an in-flight refuelling system, allowing it to operate over long distances without the need to land.
• Many pilots have referred to the C-130 as a winged tractor for its ability to take off and land on short, unpaved surfaces.
• The C-130 has been deployed in a number of conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. It has also been used for humanitarian missions, such as supplying the population after the 1999 earthquake in Turkey.
• The C-130 has also been used for scientific research and the study of atmospheric phenomena. In 1991, an experimental aircraft equipped with a new generation of weather radar, the C-130A-II, was put into service for atmospheric and climate research.
• The aircraft has been upgraded and improved throughout its lifetime. Modern versions of the aircraft are equipped with electronic systems that allow for more accurate navigation and improved communications.
• The C-130 Hercules has become a legend in the aviation world and continues to serve as an essential tool for military and civilian purposes. Its versatility, high payload capacity and ability to operate from unpaved runways make it one of the most respected aircraft in history.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: wingspan 40.4 m, length 29.8 m, height 11.6 m
• empty weight 34 000 kg
• maximum take-off weight 70 300 kg
• power plant 4x Allison T56-A-15 tubular propeller engines, each with an output of 3 160 kW
• maximum speed 640 km/h
• cruising speed 540 km/h
• range 3 800 km
• maximum flight level 10 000 m
• capacity 20 000 kg cargo, or 92 passengers, or 64 soldiers
• crew 4-5 

John F. Kennedy Jr. about the C-130 Hercules:

"To me, the C-130 is a symbol of the best that aviation technology can do for the men on the ground."