The symbolic last flight of the RAF’s C-130J Super Hercules took place on 28 June.
The UK now plans to sell the fleet of aircraft to an interested buyer. The aircraft will be prepared for this purpose at the facilities of Marshall Aerospace.
The first C-130 Hercules, a C-130K registered as XV177, arrived in the United Kingdom on 19 December 1966. Over the years, they were extensively used in various locations around the world, supporting both military operations and numerous humanitarian missions.
In 1994, the British government decided to replace the C-130K fleet with a new generation of Hercules aircraft. At that time, a contract was signed for 25 C-130J Super Hercules (the first customer). During the deliveries of the new aircraft, London started the systematic retirement of the older ones, which were also offered for sale. Mexico and Austria were among the countries that took advantage of this option.
As part of the structural changes in the Royal Air Force, the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft were replaced by Airbus A400M Atlas. The transport fleet also includes the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and is supplemented by the Airbus A330MRTT Voyager.
