To celebrate the Hercules C-130 aircraft achieving 800,000 flying hours, a three-ship formation flyover was conducted over Sydney and the Hawkesbury last Wednesday, September 10.
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In November 1958, the RAAF became the first Air Force outside the USA to operate the C-130 aircraft, with a No. 36 Squadron crew.
During the past 56 years the aircraft, which includes C-130A, E, H and J-model variants of the Hercules, accumulated 800,000 accident-free flying hours across 48 individual airframes.
A Richmond RAAF Base spokesperson said that during the past 56 years, no Hercules aircraft had ever been involved in an accident.
The achievement was marked with the flyover of Sydney Harbour, the northern beaches and Richmond.
Former C-130E and H pilot, Greg Evans, told the Gazette that it was an amazing feeling knowing that the aircraft had achieved such a milestone.
‘‘It makes you feel so proud to have been part of it all,’’ Mr Evans said.
‘‘It is a great thing to see how useful they are for our country...you can really trust these aircraft with your life,’’ he said.
Mr Evans was involved with the C-130 aircraft for 16 of his 28 years with the RAAF.
‘‘I was a very lucky boy having so much exposure to the C-130’s,’’ he said.
Mr Evans said reaching 800,000 accident-free hours was incredible and was the result of a full range of luck over the years.
‘‘We made our own luck by having wonderful people fly them, and great people who were and still are dedicated to the aircraft and the Air Force,’’ he said.
The history of the C-130 aircraft:
■ 1958: purchase of the C-130A
■ 1966: purchase of the C-130E
■ 1978: retirement of C-130A
■ 1978: purchase of C-130H
■ 1999: purchase of C-130J
■ 2000: retirement of C-130E
■ 2012: retirement of C-130H