Lockheed C-130A Hercules
1958-1978
A97-205, No. 36 Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond
When the C-130A Hercules entered RAAF service, it represented a quantum leap in transport capabilities for Australia. The RAAF was the first export customer for the Hercules and, more than 55 years later, continues to operate the type in the form of the C-130J.
A97-205, the first of twelve RAAF C-130A Hercules, touched down at RAAF Base Richmond on 13 December 1958. The C-130A was declared fully operational with No. 36 Squadron on 1 May 1959, having already supported the ferry flight of RAAF Sabres from RAF Williamtown to Butterworth, Malaya. At this early stage, the C-130A had also participated in the SEATO exercise in Thailand and provided transport for Australian Army exercises in Queensland.
The C-130As of No. 36 Squadron supported the Australian deployment to the Vietnam War before being supplemented by twelve C-130Es from 1966. During the course of its RAAF career, the C-130A was utilised on disaster relief flights to Darwin following Cyclone Tracy in 1974; humanitarian missions to South Vietnam during the country’s downfall to Communist Forces in 1975; and numerous support tasks to the territories of Papua and New Guinea as well as the South Pacific.
A97-205 flew 36 Squadron’s 100,000th accident-free flying hour on 9 November 1972. Immediately prior to the retirement of the RAAF C-130A, A97-205 participated in a special formation flight with the RAAF’s first C-130H, A97-001, marking a ‘changing of the guard’ for airlift operations at No. 36 Squadron.
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