Image: Lockheed KC-130F Hercules aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 30 October 1963
Description: The U.S. Navy Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (BuNo 149798) from Transport Squadron 1 (VR-1), loaned to the U.S. Naval Air Test Center aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 10 October 1963. Official description: "Forrestal made history in November 1963 when on the 8th, 21st and 22nd, LT James H. Flatley III and his crew members, LCDR [W. W.] 'Smokey' Stovall and Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jets) 1st Class Ed Brennan, made [29 touch-and-go landings and] 21 full-stop landings and takeoffs in a C-130F Hercules aboard the ship. The tests were conducted 500 miles [800 km] out in the North Atlantic off the coast of Massachusetts. In so doing, Forrestal and the C-130 set a record for the largest and heaviest airplane landing on a Navy aircraft carrier. The Navy was trying to determine if the big Hercules could serve as a 'Super-COD' — a 'Carrier On-board Delivery' aircraft. The problem was there was no aircraft which could provide resupply to a carrier in mid ocean. The Hercules was stable, reliable, and had a long cruising range and high payload." "The tests were more than successful. At 85,000 pounds [39,000 kg], the C-130F came to a complete stop within 267 feet [81.4 meters], and at the maximum load [121,000 pounds, 55,000 kg], the plane used only 745 feet [227.1 meters] for take-off [and 460 feet, 140.2 meters, for landing]. The Navy concluded that with the C-130 Hercules, it would be possible to lift 25,000 pounds [11,000 kg] of cargo 2,500 miles [4,000 km] and land it on a carrier. However, the idea was considered a bit too risky for routine COD operations. The C-2A Greyhound program was developed and the first of these planes became operational in 1965. For his effort, the Navy awarded LT Flatley the Distinguished Flying Cross." [1]
Title: Lockheed KC-130F Hercules aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 30 October 1963
Credit: U.S. Navy photo [2] from Navsource.org
Author: U.S. Navy
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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