The most widely produced transport aircraft since WWII has to be the Lockheed Hercules (now Lockheed-Martin). In continuous production since the early 1950s, there have been several attempts to produce a viable replacement, but none seem to match the capabilities of this large four engine turboprop tactical transport. One of the reasons it has remained a favorite with air arms and private transport companies for decades.

In this revised edition from author Peter C. Smith we get the full history of this incredible aircraft. Originally published in 2001, this 2010 version includes more information and a few more images detailing the latest version, the C-130J. As you can imagine, the book covers the development, early problem solving, and service introduction. Then there are chapters on the different variants from the C-130A through the B, E, H and the C-130 J. In between the seeming plethora of special variants from the AC-130 gunships to the HC-130 N/P special ops versions, the WC-130 weather aircraft, LC-130 ski equipped versions, EC-130 electronic surveillance variants and the DC-130 drone controllers, just to name a few. It seems that the C-130 has almost no limitation on the sorts of jobs it can perform. Even when taken out of military service, they find a use with private companies hauling cargo or equipped for fire fighting.

The Hercules is not only a major US tactical transport but new builds have been sold world wide and when one adds in surplus US airframes, that total comes to some fifty different countries for use in their air arms or commercial operators. 

Besides being a great read, this is also a good book to use for research and reference. There are a number of appendices that cover subjects like export sales, aircraft serial numbers, detail photos and pilot's notes. There are a few glitches such as identifying an EC-130Q as a standard USN transport and I was surprised by the lack of photos of USMC airframes in the three greys camouflage scheme, a scheme that has been around since before the book was first published. However, these are quite minor and I'm sure most wouldn't notice these at all.

In all, an excellent reference book that I know you will find as useful as have I. A book that seriously deserves a space on your library shelf and one that I can easily recommend to you.

April 2011

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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