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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Lockheed L-100 / C-130 Hercules
    Latest Model:AC-130A Spectre
    Last Military Serial:53-3129 USAF
    Construction Number:3001
    Latest Owner or Location:Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Valparaiso, Florida

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    Dates

    Event

    10 March 1955

    Constructed as a C-130A-LM by Lockheed at Marietta, GA.
    Markings applied: LAC 3001
    Roll-out date

    7 April 1955

    First flight.

    Circa 1955


    Photographer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation photographer; negative #C9682
    Notes: This photo shows the 1st development model C-130A (53-3129) produced in Marietta, GA. The aircraft is shown during a test flight over Stone Mountain, GA near Atlanta.This photo was scanned from an original that was given in 1954 to Lamar E. Binion, Chief Flight Test Engineer, Lockheed-Georgia. The same photo is described on p. 17 of Lockheed Hercules by Francis K. Mason.(Thorsons Publishing, 1984.)

    14 April 1955

    Involved in an incident.
    Aircraft suffered serious damage while returning from a test flight when an engine fire broke out. The fire continued to burn and burned the entire left wing off just after the crew evacuated on landing.

    28 October 1958

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-3129.

    Circa 1959


    Photographer: Photo taken by Lockheed-Georgia photographer. Photo ID: RE 5203
    Notes: Photo shows the C-130 flight test team in Marietta, GA: Lamar E. Binion, Chief Flight Test Engineer (6th from right); Alan Youngs, Flight Test Engineer (7th from right). No other names are available.

    September 1959

    Converted to a JC-130A.
    Modified by Temco Division at Majore Field, Texas.

    October 1959

    To Cambridge Air Research Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

    July 1961

    Transferred to 6515th Test Squadron, Patrick AFB, FL.

    August 1962

    Transferred to 6550th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL.

    Flew missions for NASA over the Air Force Eastern Test Range.

    Circa March 1968

    Transferred to 4413th Combat Crew Training Squadron, England AFB, LA.
    Operated with markings: IH

    2 December 1968

    Converted to an AC-130A.
    This configuration included four M-61 20mm cannons and four GAU-2B 7.62mm miniguns.

    By March 1969

    Transferred to 16th Special Operations Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
    Operated with markings: EA

    27 March 1969

    Damaged.
    Damaged by anti-aircraft shell.

    19 February 1970

    Damaged.
    Damaged by anti-aircraft shell.

    18 April 1970

    Damaged.
    Damaged by anti-aircraft shell.

    November 1970

    Markings Applied: The First Lady, FI

    26 March 1971

    Damaged.
    Hit by a 37mm shell which exploded just aft of her nose wheel, inflicting serious damage not only to the wheel but also to the area beneath her flight deck; serious damage to structure and to her hydraulic and electrical components.

    May 1971

    Transferred to Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV).
    Upgraded with Surprise Package configuration which deleted two of the 7.62mm miniguns, two 20mm cannons and added two 40mm Bofors cannons.

    1971

    Transferred to 415th Special Operations Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL.
    Assigned for training gunship crews.

    25 July 1975

    Transferred to 711th Special Operations Squadron., 919th Special Operations Wing (AFRES), Duke Field, FL.

    27 June 1981


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At Greenham Common, still fitted with 3 bladed propellers.

    27 June 1981


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At Greenham Common. Note 3 bladed propellers.

    27 June 1981


    Photographer: Robert Nichols
    Notes: at RAF Greenham Common IAT

    Circa 1981

    Upgraded from 3-bladed propellers to 4-bladed.

    17 May 1986


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed at Chicago OHare Airport during open house

    17 May 1986


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed at Chicago OHare Airport during open house

    27 July 1986


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: 35mm slide photographed at the Dayton, OH, International Air Show and Trade Exposition.

    28 July 1994


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: On finals to Fairford.

    28 July 1994


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: Close up of nose art.

    30 July 1994


    Photographer: Peter Nicholson
    Notes: On display at the 1994 International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford using callsign Irid 11 and named First Lady.

    From September 1994 to March 1995

    Participated in Operation Uphold Democracy in Panama.

    28 September 1995

    Last flight.
    Last operational flight.

    1996

    To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
    View the Location Dossier

    September 1996

    Loaned to 96 ABW/MU, Eglin AFB, FL.

    10 September 1996

    Ferry flight. Delivered to Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Valparaiso, FL.
    View the Location Dossier

    Circa 2003


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At Valparaiso, Eglin AFB.Undergoing a repaint.

    12 September 2003


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    12 September 2003


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    28 March 2011


    Photographer: Terry Fletcher


    Credits
    Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...

    Print Sources
    United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 by Swanborough and Bowers

    Internet Sources
    C-130.Net
    National Museum of the United States Air Force
    Spectre Association
    Wikipedia

    Individual Contributors
    Glenn Chatfield

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