OTTAWA, April 5, 2016 – After five decades of RCAF service the Government of Canada’s longest serving CC-130E Hercules aircraft will be joining the Canada Aviation and Space Museum’s collection to commemorate the important role it played in Canadian Aviation military history. The storied aircraft landed at Rockcliffe Airport neighbouring the Museum today after a brief flight from CFB Trenton, home of RCAF 8 Wing.
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum prides itself in charting not only Canada’s rich aviation heritage but also the important milestones in the history and technology of flight.” said Alex Benay, President and CEO, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, “We appreciate the Department of National Defence’s understanding of the usefulness and significance of the aircraft beyond its active life span in the Royal Canadian Air Force and gratefully accept the guardianship of this significant aircraft for this and for future generations.”
The aircraft joining the Museum’s collection entered service in 1965 and was used as a transport airplane, a navigation training airplane, and a search and rescue aircraft. The RCAF / Canadian Armed Forces received 24 CC-130Es between 1964 and 1968. The Museum’s newest acquisition is the 3rd CC-130E - and the 7th CC-130 - acquired by the Canadian military.
Although designed in the early 1950s, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules remains one of the most successful military transport airplanes ever designed. Operated in every region of the globe, this flying truck has consistently shown itself to be extremely durable, reliable and tough. The Royal Canadian Air Force received its first Hercules in the fall of 1960. Improved versions were ordered as time went by. A new variant was in fact delivered in 2010-12 and will remain in services for years to come.
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INFORMATION:
Caroline Boutin
Media Relations Officer
613-410-5943