Glad they are preserving another aircraft:
http://www.carolinasaviation.org/military/mc-130-hercules
EC-130E 62-1857
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was introduced in the 50's as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft for the US Air Force. Since its introduction the versatile aircraft has served gunship, search and rescue, scientific research, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, firefighting, and much more. The C-130 is the only military aircraft to remain in production for over 50 years and it's still going strong.
Our EC-130E was one of the aircraft used in the Iran Hostage Crisis Rescue attempt in 1980 called Operation Eagle Claw, but it has seen service in many battles both before and after this event.
Here is a brief excerpt of the event as told in Col James Kyle’s book on the mission called “The Guts To Try”:
“As Tharps aircraft accelerated down the runway, we were watching through night vision goggles. The blown fuel truck at the far end had pretty well burned itself out – there were only stars and moonlight.
Then, as the C-130 reached the 3,000-foot point, my heart leaped into my throat. The aircraft hit the sand piled up along the shoulder of the road. There was a giant shower of dust and sand.
My God! We’ve lost ‘em!
Then, out of the other side of the billowing mass, the struggling Hercules appeared, straining to recapture its lost airspeed. Another 1,000 feet and the big bird staggered into the air”.
Since the aircraft is located on an active ramp area, free tours will scheduled each day to allow visitors to view this exhibit.
Read the entire history of this amazing aircraft here!
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...-hostage-raid-plane-on-long.html#.Um6HAXBOMb3
Russ Tharp has a special affinity for the military transport that has joined the squadron of historic exhibits at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte – he was at its controls the night in 1980 when it was used in the failed rescue of U.S. hostages in Iran.
He was there when the mission unraveled in the swirling dust. When the secret desert rendezvous point was unexpectedly breached by smugglers and then a busload of civilians. When a helicopter crashed into another plane. And finally when Tharp rammed the C-130 into a roadbed on takeoff.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...plane-on-long.html#.Um6HAXBOMb3#storylink=cpy
http://www.carolinasaviation.org/military/mc-130-hercules
EC-130E 62-1857
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was introduced in the 50's as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft for the US Air Force. Since its introduction the versatile aircraft has served gunship, search and rescue, scientific research, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, firefighting, and much more. The C-130 is the only military aircraft to remain in production for over 50 years and it's still going strong.
Our EC-130E was one of the aircraft used in the Iran Hostage Crisis Rescue attempt in 1980 called Operation Eagle Claw, but it has seen service in many battles both before and after this event.
Here is a brief excerpt of the event as told in Col James Kyle’s book on the mission called “The Guts To Try”:
“As Tharps aircraft accelerated down the runway, we were watching through night vision goggles. The blown fuel truck at the far end had pretty well burned itself out – there were only stars and moonlight.
Then, as the C-130 reached the 3,000-foot point, my heart leaped into my throat. The aircraft hit the sand piled up along the shoulder of the road. There was a giant shower of dust and sand.
My God! We’ve lost ‘em!
Then, out of the other side of the billowing mass, the struggling Hercules appeared, straining to recapture its lost airspeed. Another 1,000 feet and the big bird staggered into the air”.
Since the aircraft is located on an active ramp area, free tours will scheduled each day to allow visitors to view this exhibit.
Read the entire history of this amazing aircraft here!
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...-hostage-raid-plane-on-long.html#.Um6HAXBOMb3
Russ Tharp has a special affinity for the military transport that has joined the squadron of historic exhibits at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte – he was at its controls the night in 1980 when it was used in the failed rescue of U.S. hostages in Iran.
He was there when the mission unraveled in the swirling dust. When the secret desert rendezvous point was unexpectedly breached by smugglers and then a busload of civilians. When a helicopter crashed into another plane. And finally when Tharp rammed the C-130 into a roadbed on takeoff.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...plane-on-long.html#.Um6HAXBOMb3#storylink=cpy