Lockheed C-130 Hercules 4 Engine Turboprop Military Transport DVD
This DVD is a collection of films and newsreels on the famous Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four engine Turboprop Military Transport. The C-130 was designed as a troop transport carrier in the early 1950's that could land and takeoff on short unprepared runways. The design was so successful that it it is still in production today and used all around the world. The C 130 aircraft are used as cargo planes, paratroops aircraft, airlift (MATS) and as gunships.
An interesting C 130 takeoff from an aircraft carrier was done in the early 1960s. At this time, the US Navy was using small twin-engine aircraft with a limited range and cargo capacity for carrier resupply purposes. They wanted to see if a C-130 with a much larger cargo capacity and range could be used for resupply. The experiment consisted of a series of C 130 landings, takeoffs and touch-and-go landings on the aircraft carrier Forrestal. The C-130 aircraft used was essentially stock except for beefed-up anti-skid brakes and a couple of other minor modifications. No arresting hooks were used but the results were very encouraging. The C-130 was able to land, stop and takeoff again with plenty of margin – even with a cargo of 36,000 pounds. In the end however, due to increased risk, the Navy decided not to use this capability. One major factor was that if the C-130 experienced mechanical problems while on the carrier, it would block the flight deck and therefore regular carrier operations with fighter jets would not be possible. Still, the C-130 is an amazing aircraft!
Here is a description of the C-130 films on this dvd:
Film #1 - C-130 Development. This is a great USAF and Lockheed film on the early development in 1955 about the famous C-130 Hercules. From the factory floor to its early flights, this is worth watching! Runtime is about 13 minutes.
Film #2 - USAF MATS. This is a great USAF film on the early days of the Military Air Transportation Service around the world. The goal was getting equipment, supplies and manpower to anywhere in the world quickly. Amazing story! Runtime is about 28 minutes.
Film #3 - 90 Degrees South. This is a Air Force film about the American research base in the Antarctic and how to supply them by using the C-130 Hercules. Great footage of the C 130 in flight, takeoffs and landings. Runtime is about 27 minutes.
Film #4 - C-130 Airlift in Vietnam. In Vietnam, it was important to get supplies and troops to undeveloped areas and this is a collection of newsreels on the C-130 troop transport doing just that. Runtime is about 16 minutes.
Film #5 - Defending the Night. This is an USAF short film on the coordinated effort to use an AC-130 gunship to interdict the enemy at night in Vietnam. The AC-130 was the C 130 Hercules gunship variant which carries an M137 105mm cannon as its major armament. Missions were flown at night for gunship protection since the AC-130 flies at a relatively low 7,000 feet of altitude due to the unpressurized cabin. This film was silent so we added sound and info. Runtime is about 7 minutes.
Film #6 - C-130 Newsreels. This is a collection of C-130 newsreels:
Runtime is about 16 minutes
Total runtime for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules 4 Engine Turboprop Military Transport DVD is about 107 minutes. Format is NTSC DVD and region-free.
