C-130/L100 Hercules
Date Updated:
Monday September 04, 2006
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The
PAF has four models of the C-130 in it’s books – three
military models (A, B and H) and one civilian model, the L.100-20 which is
basically the "H" model C-130 (with little or no military equipment) but with a 20
foot fuselage extension.
The "A" model differs from the
later models primarily in having less powerful engines (Allison T-56A-9 or
T56A-11 with 3,0750 eshp). "B" models had the more powerful T-56A-7 with
4,050 eshp that was mounted slightly more forward of the wing compared to the
C-130A. It also had a higher gross weight compared to the earlier model as
well as could carry more fuel. The H model had even more powerful engines
– T56A-15 with 4,508 eshp. It also has a different braking system as well
as a redesigned and strengthened center wing section. It also carries a
different radar from the first two models. The L.100-20 has the same
engines as the "H" model. One visual difference between the "H" model and
the "B" models of the Hercules is the wing tanks – "B" models were the last type
not fitted with wing tanks. Every model after the "B" had them fitted as
standard.
The PAF has operated C-130s since 1973 with the delivery of
the first L.100-20s. The type was assigned to the
220th Heavy Airlift Wing
of the PAF and was based out of Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base. The three H
models came in 1976 and were delivered new from the factory. With the lack
of funds to pay for newer models or more H models, the PAF has had to rely on
acquiring B model Hercules from US stocks at AMARC. It is interesting to
note that the very first L.100-20 produced by Lockheed as a company demonstrator
ended up with the PAF.
The PAF used to maintain a regular shuttle service between
three major airbases in the Philippines –
Villamor,
Mactan and
Zamboanga.
Troops, supplies and equipment (including armored vehicles and howitzers) were
regular passengers. These days, with the decline in flyable aircraft,
those flyable C-130s are largely held in reserve and are used to ferry troops
and supplies to the latest hotspots only when required and only during
emergencies. The day-to-day
shuttle is no longer maintained or flown by C-130s. The day-to-day transport needs of the AFP
are now met by scheduled airlines, through leases or by the Navy, though the
Navy has its own set of problems.
There had been news reports of
the PAF acquiring four ex-RAF C-130Ks but nothing has come out of this with the
aircraft eventually being acquired by Poland, Romania and Sri Lanka. These were
to have been sold with two sets of roll-on/roll-off reconnaissance/sensor
pallets containing a maritime surveillance radar package from Lockheed Martin as
well as a maintenance package covering the whole of the PAF C-130 fleet.
Negotiations had reached a pretty advanced stage with space at Clark being set
aside by the PAF for Lockheed Martins overhaul facility. The deal was
later cancelled by the Philippine congress on allegations that the deal was
overpriced. Salvation however came in the form of a company called Asian
Aerospace.
Like much of the PAF, C-130 availability declined
steadily since 1993. The slide however has been reversed thanks to
increased funding from the US with operational numbers up from a low of 1
operational unit to about five on any given day. As of July 2006, two B
models, one H model and two L100-20 stretched models are operational.
Despite the commonalities it still must present a minor logistical nightmare
since the fleet now represents three different subtypes.
In the past, PAF C130s were initially being sent to Airod of
Malaysia in the late early 21st century for overhaul as funding became available. Since June 2004, overhauls have been done at Clark with Asian Aerospace
and the assistance of Lockheed Martin. The latest aircraft to benefit from
this is PAF4593, a Lockheed L100-20 (stretch). Another C130 is about to begin the
overhaul process with a further two in line pending funding. In the
meantime, non-flyable aircraft sit in Mactan Air Base in storage.. The eventual
goal is to have at least 6, maybe 7, fully operational aircraft by the end of
2007 subject to funding.
|
Inventory |
Supportable |
Operationally ready |
1991 (CY-91) |
10 |
8 |
5 |
1992 (CY-92) |
11 |
8 |
6 |
1993 (CY-93) |
11 |
8 |
4 |
1994 (1st semester CY-94) |
11 |
5 |
3 |
2002 (Speculative) | 13 | ?? | 1-3 |
2005 (Speculative) | 13 | ?? | 2 |
2006 | 13 | 6 |
5 (two L100-20, two C130Bs and one H model are in service) |
Editorial: Some good news for a
change. Operational numbers are going up but there is a cloud in the
silver lining. Funding is hugely dependent on the good graces of the US.
9/11 has thrown the PAF a lifeline.
PAF s/n |
c/n |
type |
ex USAF |
d/d |
fate, last ntd |
remarks |
5 x L.100-20 (stretched |
||||||
3946 |
3946 |
L.382-176
L.382E-44K-20 |
|
(1973) |
08.96 Mactan AB (good |
04.64 f/f as N1130E |
4302 |
4302 |
L.382E-15C |
|
(1973) |
not current |
04.69 f/f as N7952S; |
4303 |
4303 |
L.382E-15C |
|
(1973) |
not current |
f/f 11.68 as N9237R; r/d |
4512 |
4512 |
L.382E-29C |
|
(1973) |
08.96 Mactan AB (inactive, bad con dition), |
f/f 10.73 as N7967S; |
4593 |
4593 |
L.382E-33C |
|
(1975) |
08.96 Mactan AB (bad |
f/f 05.75 as RP-C101; |
3 x C-130H delivered |
||||||
4704 |
4704 |
L.382C-63D |
|
11.76 |
03.97. Operational 02.06 |
d/d 11.76 to PAF; |
4726 |
4726 |
L.382C-63D |
|
08.77 |
03.02 (not operational) |
d/d 08.77 to PAF |
4761 |
L.382C-77D |
|
11.77 |
w/o 15.12.93 |
d/d 11.77 to PAF; |
|
1 x C-130A thought to |
||||||
3213 |
3213 |
L.182-1A |
57-0507 |
(1991) |
not current |
12.58 d/d as A97-213 to 36 |
5 x C-130B ex-USAF |
||||||
0294 |
3593 |
L.282-1B |
60-0294 |
10.91 |
03.02 (not |
ex 731 TAS |
0725 |
3520 |
L.282-1B |
58-0725 |
post-08.91 |
01.99 (not operational) |
ex 165 TAS |
0738 |
3535 |
L.282-1B |
58-0738 |
05.91 |
08.96 |
ex 731 TAS |
0749 |
3547 |
L.282-1B |
58-0749 |
(04.91) |
03.02 (not operational) |
ex 164 TAS. Noted |
0961 |
3646 |
L.282-1B |
61-0961 |
??.91 |
08.96 (wfu, black anti-corrosion paint) |
ex 164 TAS |
3 x C-130B ex USAF in |
||||||
0597 |
|
|
|
|
01.99 |
Nothing known. C/n 3597 went
|
3545 |
3545 |
L.282-1B |
58-0747 |
(04.98) |
01.99 |
AMARC CF107 since 04.92 |
3552 |
3552 |
L.282-1B |
58-0753 |
(04.98) |
01.99 |
AMARC CF112 since 08.92 |
2 x C-130B ex USAF c. |
||||||
0954 |
3633 |
L.282-1B |
61-0954 |
|
12.01. Operational 02.06 |
AMARC CF137 since 10.93 |
2638 |
3674 |
L.282-1B |
61-2638 |
|
01.02 |
AMARC CF170 since 12.94 |
Note: Some of the latest deliveries have been seen only
|