C-130E Hercules

Lockheed · USA · first flew 1961 · transport aircraft

The C-130E introduced fixed external fuel tanks under the inner wing, extending range enough for transatlantic ferry and long overwater missions.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	4 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Allison T56-A-7A engines; same blunt-nose fuselage as earlier marks but longer range
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Enlarged underwing fuel tanks between inner and outer engines distinguishing it from C-130A/B
Allison T56-A-7A engines; same blunt-nose fuselage as earlier marks but longer range
No extended fuselage or 6-blade props — those belong to the J Super

Distinguish from the C-130H by the slightly less powerful engine exhausts and absence of H-model's improved avionics fairings; both share the same classic 4-blade propeller versus the J's 6-blade.

Specifications

The C-130E Hercules has a length of 29.8 m (98 ft).
It has a wingspan of 40.4 m (133 ft).
Its maximum speed is 592 km/h (368 mph).
Typical crew: 4-5.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed in the early 1960s to meet USAF strategic airlift requirements, the E model entered service in 1962 and became the most widely exported Hercules variant of its era. Over 500 were built for the USAF and numerous allies.

Variants

The E differs from the A and B by its underwing tanks and uprated T56-A-7A engines; the subsequent H retained the tanks and added further engine refinements.

Where you'll see it

Operated widely by the USAF, RAF (as the Hercules C.1 equivalent designation), and over 30 other air forces into the 2000s.

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