2014 July | HUEY BRAVO

C-130/L100 Hercules
Date Updated: Monday September 04, 2006

Technical Details | Service History | Current Status | Photos | Fleet Information

Technical Details

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.

Service History

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 The day-to-day shuttle is no longer maintained or flown by C-130s.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.

Current Status

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.

Photos

Fleet Information

PAF s/n	*c/n*	*type*	*ex USAF*	*d/d*	*fate, last ntd*	*remarks*
5 x L.100-20 (stretched C-130) acquired 1973-75
3946	3946	L.382-176 L.382E-44K-20		(1973)	08.96 Mactan AB (good condition)	04.64 f/f as N1130E company demonstrator; 03.65 lsd as N50FW to ASA; 04.68 f/f as N50FW mod. L.382E-44K-20; 10.68 lsd as N50FW to Delta „304“; 03.69 r/d as N50FW to PSL Lease Corp. (op. by Flying W Airlines); 04.73 r/d as PI-97, later RP-97 to Phil. government; 10.78 r/d as RP-C97 to PADC, later s/d 3946; (03.81 stored MNL); ??.84 c/d as RP-C97; 3946 with PAF Noted operational in Mactan in July 2006. Photos available.
4302	4302	L.382E-15C		(1973)	not current	04.69 f/f as N7952S; 04.69 r/d as N7952S to Girard Trust; 04.69 lsd as N7952S to Flying W Airlines; 12.69 r/d as N30FW to subsidiary RDA; 02.73 r/d as N30FW to SAT; 08.73 r/d as PI-99 to Phil. government; ??.?? lsd as PI-99 to PAF; 10.78 r/d as RP-C99 to PADC, later s/d 4302; c. 80 sold and r/d as 5A-DJR to United Arab Airlines of Libya (noted 82, 90) (in spite of US embargo!)
4303	4303	L.382E-15C		(1973)	not current	f/f 11.68 as N9237R; r/d 11.68 as N9237R to Girard Trust; lsd 04.69 as N9237R to Flying W Airways; r/d 10.69 as N40FW to RDA; r/d 04.73 as PI-98 to Phil. government; lsd 07.73 as RP-C98 to Phil. Aero Transport; r/d 09.73 as CF-DSX to James Bay Energy Corp.; lsd 09.73 as CF-DSX to Quebecair; r/d 07.80 as CF-DSX to Echo Bay Mines; r/d 82/83 as CF-DSX to Worldways Canada; r/d 12.84 as N39ST to Trans america; (07.86 stored Frankfurt); (01.88 stored Oakland); 02.88 for sale; r/d 07.88 as N39ST to American Aircraft Corp., Hialeah, FL; r/d 11.88 as S9-NAI to IAS / Transafrik; w/o 09.04.89 in crash-landing at Luena, Angola, after fire in both engines, probably due to small arms fire.
4512	4512	L.382E-29C		(1973)	08.96 Mactan AB (inactive, bad con dition), 02.97 (active)	f/f 10.73 as N7967S; r/d 10.73 as RP-C100 to Phil. government; lsd 10.73 as RP-C100 to Phil. Aero Transport; sold ??.?? as RP-C100 to PADC; ??.84 c/d as RP-C100 and s/d 4512 with PAF
4593	4593	L.382E-33C		(1975)	08.96 Mactan AB (bad condition) reported to have left Mactan c. 24.08.96 Active 02.06	f/f 05.75 as RP-C101; r/d 05.75 as RP-C101 to Phil. government; lsd 05.75 as RP-C101 to Phil. Aero Transport; (03.83 stored MNL); c/d ??.84 as RP-C101 and s/d 4593 with PAF. A „4595“ was noted 02.02. Really 4593? Refurbished by Asian Aerospace in Clark starting in 02.04 and delivered to the PAF in 02.06. See photos page
3 x C-130H delivered 1976-77
4704	4704	L.382C-63D		11.76	03.97. Operational 02.06	d/d 11.76 to PAF; 13.05.-21.06.94 used for rescue flights to Yemen and painted in desert color scheme. Noted operating between Tacloban, Leyte Province 02.06
4726	4726	L.382C-63D		08.77	03.02 (not operational)	d/d 08.77 to PAF
4761	4761	L.382C-77D		11.77	w/o 15.12.93	d/d 11.77 to PAF; w/o 15.12.93 in crash into slope of Mt. Bernase in the Mt. Isarog area („at Hill No. 756, Mt. Bernacoi, Tinurilan“), Sitio Tinorilan in Brgy. Tanag, Libmanan, Camarines Sur, while en route Villamor to Naga City, killing all 16 on board.
1 x C-130A thought to have been transferred (leased?) temporarily from Aboitiz in 1991
3213	3213	L.182-1A	57-0507	(1991)	not current	12.58 d/d as A97-213 to 36 Sqn, RAAF; 05.78 r/d as N2268G (not used); ??.78 stored at Laverton (last noted 06.88); 05.88 r/d as RP-R3213 to Aboitiz, Manila; 03.91 re-r/d RP-C3213; c. 91 s/d 3213 with PAF (needs more confirmation); 04.91, 05.93 stored MNL; 11.93 for sale; lsd to Micronesian Aviation Corp.; 01.94 as RP-C3213 „Equator Traders“, „Micronesia Air Services“; 10.94, 01.95 not in service?
5 x C-130B ex-USAF 1991-92 (last aircraft arrived 13.01.92)
0294	3593	L.282-1B	60-0294	10.91	03.02 (not operational)	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 stored at Mactan. See Photos page.
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 1998
0597					01.99	Nothing known. C/n 3597 went to Greece AF 08.92.
3545	3545	L.282-1B	58-0747	(04.98)	01.99	AMARC CF107 since 04.92 (l/n 12.96); 25.04.98 reported as „6683“ (call-sign?) at Yokota AB on delivery to PAF.
3552	3552	L.282-1B	58-0753	(04.98)	01.99	AMARC CF112 since 08.92 (l/n 12.96); 25.04.98 reported as „7836“ (call-sign?) at Yokota AB on delivery to PAF. Noted at Mactan in 08.06
2 x C-130B ex USAF c. 2001
0954	3633	L.282-1B	61-0954		12.01. Operational 02.06	AMARC CF137 since 10.93 (l/n 12.96). Noted 02.06 delivering supplies to Southern Philippines. See photos page
2638	3674	L.282-1B	61-2638		01.02	AMARC CF170 since 12.94 (l/n 12.96).
Note: Some of the latest deliveries have been seen only once. Aircraft 0597 needs confirmation as does 3553. 3552 has been noted in good condition in Mactan in July 2006 and is apparently due for overhaul with Asian Aerospace as funding is approved.

PAF s/n

Nothing known. C/n 3597 went to Greece AF 08.92.

Note: Some of the latest deliveries have been seen only once. Aircraft 0597 needs confirmation as does 3553. 3552 has been noted in good condition in Mactan in July 2006 and is apparently due for overhaul with Asian Aerospace as funding is approved.