Royal Air Force C130.Mk3


                   The Hercules, also known as the Fat Albert (after an American comic book character) is a 4 engined tactical
                    support aircraft capable of carrying 92 ground troops, 62 paratroops, 74 stretcher cases or a variety of vehicles
                   and freight up to 20 tons in weight over distances of up to 4,600 miles at speeds of over 300 knots.
                   It is an extremely versatile aircraft and is used by many of the world's air forces.

                   The 4 Allison engines drive 4-bladed, fully reversible propellers, which means that the aircraft can taxi backwards, or
                   perform 3-point turns on the ground.  This type of engine runs at a constant speed at all times, when the aircraft is
                   airborne.  Changes in engine power are achieved by changing the pitch of the propeller blades.  The engines give the
                   aircraft an economical cruising speed of 385 mph.

                   There are 25 Mk 1 Hercules in service.  The rest of the RAF fleet (30 aircraft) are Mk 3 stretched versions.  This                                      modification,  in 1980, added an extra 15 feet of fuselage.  The aircraft was split into 3 parts and 2 extra sections were added;                     one  behind the cockpit, and one just in front of the ramp at the rear.  This increased the volume of the cargo compartment
                  by 37%.

