Warbird Information Exchange

For you C-130 Fans...

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findP ... i=0&sc=400

"The longest continually operating military aircraft production line in history".

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

The Duracell battery of aircraft...

M

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Mark Morris

For you C-130 Fans...

Love that airplane! Still cranking out new ones 50 years since the first ones came off the line...amazing!

Although the C-130 production has been long lived the rate is fairly slow. 2300 aircraft in 50 years averages 46 per year.

In comparison I offer the following examples,

The F-4 line turned out 5057 in 20 years (1959-1979). Average 252 per year

The A-4 line produced 2960 from 1954 to 1979. 25 years. Average 118 per year

C-17 delivered 18 in one year. It is a large airplane though. You will never see the same rate due to the complexity and cost. You could probably make 200 A-4 wing spars with the same amount of metal in one C-17 wing spar.

Nice quote

a bang for the taxpayer's buck, & a testimonial of a great & versatile design!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!