april 2025 – c-130herculesvrienden.nl

EXHIBITION OPEN! Our Mighty Hercules exhibition is now open – and thanks to No. 40 Squadron RNZAF there is a very special trophy as its centrepiece.

The trophy has a bit of a back story, so bear with us!

Back in 1979 Lockheed decided to celebrate 25 years of C-130 Hercules production with a special competition to find the best example of the aircraft at the International Air Tattoo being held at Greenham Common in England.

Hercules NZ7001 (also known as Charles) was sent to represent the RNZAF.

There were 26 other air forces competing, all hoping their Hercules would come out best.

Before it left Whenuapai NZ7001 was cleaned to within an inch of its life, but when it landed all the cleaning bays were full of crews getting their aircraft ready.

So the Kiwis started cleaning by hand, and they must have done a wonderful job.

Because, when the judges made their decision, NZ7001 was the best in show, winning the Concours D’Elegance.

And, as well as flying the longest way, having no cleaning bay, NZ7001 was the oldest aircraft in the competition at 14 years.

The trophy normally takes pride of place in No. 40 Squadron’s hangar, but has been lent to us for this special exhibition.

Come along and see the exhibition – we’re open every day from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

And from Friday you’ll be able to see Charles in person.

PS: The picture credit is Fred de Ruiter – isn’t it a fantastic photo of a gleaming NZ7001 from 1979.

Here’s to Charles – world beater and #extraordinaryaircraft!

#rnzaf #rnzafpastandpresent

Farewell to our centennial aircraft paint job! The same 103rd Aircraft Structural Maintenance shop team who painted our celebratory Centennial C-130 are now busy sanding, cleaning, and repainting it this week as the regulated window for this special design closes out.

If you missed it, this awesome design honors the past 100 years of #flyingyankee history! The distinctive black and yellow lightening bolt harkens back to the designs on the squadron’s P-51 Mustangs, flown overseas in the China-Burma-India theater. This “black lightening” design is featured in many squadron patches and decor around the base.

The invasion stripes on the tail honor the 324th Fighter Group which later became the 103rd Fighter Group and eventually, 103rd Airlift Wing. This design was painted on Allied aircraft flown in Operation Overlord and Operation Dragoon in 1944.

Thank you to the 103rd Aircraft Structural Maintenance shop for both the unique design and their hard work on starting and closing out this project. #legacyaircraft #GoMaintainers #c130hercules

: Capt Jen Kaprielian VIA FACEBOOK 103d AirLift Wing