RAAF retires C-130H Hercules aircraft Nov 30 2012

[Liberator]

Today Nov 30 2012, saw the RAAF retire its fleet of C-130H Hercules from active service at RAAF Richmond air base NSW, Australia.

For 34yrs since 1978, 12 C-130H tactical transport aircraft have called Richmond home serving along side C-130E retired in early 2000's which were replaced with new C-130J models.

On a day which saw Sydney "cook" in 43 deg temperatures in western Sydney, the retirement event was commenced at 9am when it was cooler and for other reasons. Earlier on at 830am the 2 flying C-130H Hercules started up and taxied out for their final flights.

An acknowledgement of their hard work saw the Defence minister in attendance and RAAF Senior officers as well. A few base staff watched the parade of 37 Sqn members. The colour standard of 37 Sqn was paraded and a review of the personnel conducted. In the review and speeches, the 2 C-130H Hercules made 3 passes over the base south - north and east - west.They then landed and were given a "wash down" by 2 fire trucks with their water hoses as a parting gesture.
The C-130s taxied in, shut down and the 12 aircrew members then had official photos taken of their final flight.

The final outcomes of the well traveled and well used H models are so far - according to the the news on base today, 4 are being given to Indonesia, 1 will remain on base as training aid, 1 will go to RAAF Point Cook Museum in Victoria (joining a C-130A, C-130E Hercules already there on display) and 6 are yet to be determined but again Indonesia has expressed interest in these for their air lift operations.

I was lucky to be one of only 4 or so local media on base to see this final flight up close - here are my photos as shown on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 213&type=1

In just 2 years ive seen the F-111 final flight, Sea King final flight and now a C-130 model final flight.... quite a few aircraft types of the ADF are reaching their withdrawal dates...and we will see a few more in next few years retired according to plans.

Cheers

Phil Buckley
Australian Pilot journalist

[Liberator]

Short film with Nov 30 2012 retirement day footage and some extra historical footage.... of the C-130H RAAF transport...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUAARkyX ... e=youtu.be

One is going to Point Cook Museum and is expecting to fly out end of this week all going well.

[Liberator]

The RAAF have confirmed that the C-130H allocated for the Point Cook Museum A97-011, has now landed there after its final flight from RAAF Richmond earlier today.