New Zealand has completed its transition to Lockheed Martin’s J-model Hercules, with its last operational flights with the C-130H tactical transport having been performed on 31 January, after a 60-year service life.
A series of farewell flypasts, conducted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF’s) 40 Sqn, followed around the nation on 3 and 4 February.
Four of its retired C-130Hs will be located at the service’s Woodbourne training base, with its remaining example due to be transferred to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, in Wigram, Christchurch.
New Zealand began operating the C-130H in 1965, and “clocked up more than 155,000 accident-free flying hours and nearly 100,000 landings at home and around the world”, its defence force notes.
“It’s an incredible record considering some of the challenging and often inhospitable operating environments,” notes chief of air force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb. During their use, the aircraft supported operations in locations including Antarctica, Afghanistan, East Timor, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
The RNZAF in December 2024 received the last of its five replacement C-130Js from Lockheed, having commenced routine operations with the new version three months earlier.
