Lockheed C-130 Hercules

 

Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Photo by Ross Cannon

 

First flown on 25th August 1954 and still being produced as the C-130J. Over 40 models or variants of the Hercules served with more than 50 nations. The C-130 commonly known as Fat Albert entered service with the RAF in 1968 as a replacement for the Blackburn Beverley. The Hercules operates from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire and has been the backbone of RAF transport for over 40 years.

 

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin, Bruce Martin, Ian Bracegirdle, Ross Cannon and Wayne Willday