The Lockheed C-130 Hercules Turns 60
lockheed martin kc-130j super herculesMarine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) "Sumos"
60 years ago today, the first YC-130 took flight for the first time at the Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, on August 23, 1954. As of July 2014 there have been 2,471 C-130s delivered to 70 countries in more than 70 variants, and it has operated from all seven continents. The legendary Lockheed designer, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, (father of the P‑80, U‑2, SR‑71 and many other aircraft) thought only 100 C-130s would be sold, total. Kelly Johnson said, "The Hercules is a good design, but there is no market for it." 60 years later Lockheed Martin continues to build this amazing aircraft, and it can be said that the C-130 must one of the most important aircraft in aviation history.
