Did you know that a C-130 landed on a Carrier?

2015-09-05T21:16:34-04:00

"When one reviews the encyclopedic range of accomplishments by the C-130 Hercules and its valiant aircrews over the years, surely one of the most astounding took place in October 1963 when the U.S. Navy decided to try to land a Hercules on an aircraft carrier. Was it possible? Who would believe that the big, four-engine C-130 with its bulky fuselage and 132-foot wing span could land on the deck of a carrier?

Not only was it possible, it was done in moderately rough seas 500 miles out in the North Atlantic off the coast of Boston. In so doing, the airplane became the largest and heaviest aircraft to ever land on an aircraft carrier, a record that stands to this day."

http://theaviationzone.com/factsheets/c130_forrestal.asp

C-130 Hercules Lands on U.S.S. Forrestal

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-09-05T21:17:02-04:00

Yes

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 5 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-09-05T21:35:32-04:00

That crew was gutsy

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Sep 5 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-09-05T21:42:24-04:00

Great piece of history!

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Sep 5 at 2015 9:49 PM

2015-09-05T21:49:11-04:00

So, they tested it. It worked FAR better than they thought it would, or could. And then they trashed the idea. Sounds about right.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-09-05T22:28:59-04:00

I've jumped out of plenty of them but I've never heard about this. What guts,(or luck) it took for that pilot to land. I mean that's something you can't train for. What an amazing feat. I read the story and it sounded like it made several touch and goes. Did I read it correctly? How would a C-130 make touch and goes?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-09-05T22:38:28-04:00

How awesome is that? I would have really enjoyed seeing that, having flown on a C-130 before I would assume that would be extremely difficult. Kudos to the pilots and crew!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-09-05T22:57:41-04:00

The problem is it can't take off again and then clutters the deck. So emergency landing sure, but ever planning it doesn't work :-/.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 11:20 PM

2015-09-05T23:20:49-04:00

But could they launch it??? If they couldn't, CVA-59 just became a giant waste of space out in the ocean.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Sep 5 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-09-05T23:54:38-04:00

Didn't know that; however it's good to know.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-09-06T00:26:11-04:00

Guts,.........and Nuts.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 6 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-09-06T00:28:26-04:00

I know that they are great at running into mountains.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 6 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-09-06T09:42:31-04:00

SN Greg Wright I totally believe it. I've been on these babies when they have taken off and landed in jungle areas where the wings and tail were clipping the tops of trees because the space was so tight from beginng to end in remote areas of South America. Amazing aircraft, I just wish they would build some updated versions because they are getting a little outdated.

Response by PO1 Michael Fullmer made Sep 6 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-09-06T10:02:14-04:00

Actually, I knew this, having served onboard her twice. Would be interesting to see one of these big guys, land on a Nimitz Class or one of the new Gerald R. Ford Class once they come into service.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 6 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-09-06T10:59:08-04:00

C-130s can do anything!
If I was told they found one on Mars I would be temped to believe it!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 6 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-09-06T11:13:31-04:00

And then it used JATO bottles to take off...

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 6 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-09-06T11:50:47-04:00

Late 1980: in a top-secret mission to rescue the American hostages in Iran, the US government modified a C-130 Hercules to be a "Super STOL" aircraft by adding 30 rockets to boost it on takeoff and slow it on landing. The plan was to land on a football pitch near the US embassy, but the project was scratched when the only fully-modified C-130 crashed during a test flight.

http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/military-aircraft/top-secret-c-130-with-rocket-boosters/ [login to see] 01/

Top Secret C-130 with Rocket Boosters

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 6 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-09-06T16:03:52-04:00

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 8 at 2015 4:09 AM

2015-09-08T04:09:47-04:00

No. Pretty dang cool though. Should have refined and made it standard procedure.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 8 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-09-08T13:49:55-04:00

Why not???we did after all send man to the moon...right??? wink wink....

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 10 at 2015 4:12 AM

2015-09-10T04:12:55-04:00

US Navy, proving once again it can do the Air Force's job much better than they can. (Sorry TSgt Hunter Logan , I have to bust the USAF's chops every now and again!) Go Navy!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-09-10T11:58:01-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-09-10T12:02:56-04:00

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-09-10T12:57:03-04:00

Indeed the plane that can do it all at home, in the desert, on ice, and in Hollywood films. It is the longest continuously produced and utilized military aircraft in history! Have you read a recent CNN article on the "Furious" Hercules? http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/us/c-130-hercules-military-plane-anniversary/

The 'Furious 7' C-130 Hercules that just won't quit - CNN.com

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules -- the longest continuously produced military plane in history -- performs a jaw-dropping stunt in "Furious 7."