U.S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City C-130J Prop Shop Spotlight!

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C-130 Prop Shop Spotlight!

Every five years a propeller needs a 5 year degrease. In addition, every 15 years, a propeller has met its 15 year life expectancy and has to come off. Sometimes due to bird strikes, or wear and tear damage discovered during routine inspections, a prop must also come off for service.

Yesterday, a propeller was removed due to a five year regrease and is now being broken down completely by the C-130J Prop Shop in-house. This new prop was hoisted up, put on, calibrated, and is prepared for high powered engine runs to meet mission requirements.

C-130 Maintenance teams like the one showcased here, are constantly working behind the scenes to ensure our aircraft are mission ready 24/7 365 days a year!

CREDITS FACEBOOK U. S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City, N. C.

RNZAF HERCULESSEN C-130H’s tho Coulson for Firefighting

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Press Release – We’re expanding our C-130H Hercules fleet to 10 aircraft with the acquisition of four from the New Zealand Defence Force. These legendary planes will be converted at our Thermal, Calif., base and fitted with our RADS-XXL tank system—the world’s highest-capacity aerial firefighting tank (4,000 gallons per drop).

With this expansion, we’re strengthening our global wildfire response and continuing our mission to protect lives, communities, and critical resources. #coulsonaviation#aerialfirefighting#c130https://f.mtr.cool/kcoktcnnk

RIAT 1979 25 YEARS C-130 HERCULES RNZAF NZ 7001

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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