Lockheed KC-130F Hercules

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Bureau Number: 149798
Construction Number: 3680

The aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlift variant of the C-130 Hercules operated by the US Marine Corps, Bureau Number 149798 holds a significant place in US Navy history as the largest and heaviest aircraft to ever land on an Aircraft Carrier.

Loaned to the U.S. Naval Air Test Center in 1963 as part of a program to evaluate the types suitability for Carrier Onboard Delivery" (COD) operations, the aircraft made 29 touch-and-go landings, 21 unarrested full-stop landings and 21 unassisted takeoffs during from the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) at gross weights of 85,000lbs to 121,000lbs. Though successful and earning her pilot the Distinguished Flying Cross, the use of C-130's for COD was sidelined in favor of smaller aircraft.

Returning to active USMC duty later in 1963, BuNo 149798 remained in service through 2005, her service including several tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom before being flown to Pensacola for preservation.

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