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Hercules, 2024

The Hercules is one of the most successful aircraft ever, and has been continuously modified over the decades to keep it relevant. This one is from the RNAF and is the C-130H variant which will soon be retired.

Two Hercs fly over here with the air force's new Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft which recently replaced the P-3K2 Orions which served in that role for 57 years.

Here is one of the four Allison T56-A-15 engines which produce 4910 shaft horsepower each. This gives this aircraft the ability to take off and land on short runways, and a cruising speed of 555 km/h. The operational altitude is sea level to almost 13000 meters (42000 ft).

Flares being released from aircraft always produces a spectacular result. We saw it from the F16 at this show as well, but maybe the best was the A4 Skyhawk in an early show, releasing them as it climbed vertically while spinning! I have a photo of this in my 1996 show report, on this web site.

This is the last time the RNZAF will display the H variant of the Hercules at a major show. New Zealand has used that model since 1965, but they will be replaced with new bigger J variants which should arrive soon. No doubt we will see those in future shows.

Sources: New Zealand Air Force, Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 program, Wikipedia.