Landing a C-130 on an Aircraft Carrier

No, I'm not crazy. It' actually been done.



"When one reviews the encyclopedic range of accomplishments by the C-130 Hercules and its valiant aircrews over the years, surely one of the most astounding took place in October 1963 when the U.S. Navy decided to try to land a Hercules on an aircraft carrier. Was it possible? Who would believe that the big, four-engine C-130 with its bulky fuselage and 132-foot wing span could land on the deck of a carrier?"

The aircraft had very little modifications done to permit this. The fuel pods were removed from the wings, the nose gear was modified with smaller gear and the brakes were modified to incorporate anti-skid hardware. The Forrestal's modifications were the removal of the arresting gear, and the painting of a white line down the axial or main runway deck. Those were the only modifications done to the aircraft and the aircraft carrier. All told there were 29 touch and go landings from the angled flight deck and 21 full stop unarrested landings and 21 unassissted take offs from the main or axial deck.

The C-130 Hercules first entered service with the United States Airforce in 1956, and is still going strong today as the C-130H, R and T and the newest Version the C-130J Super Hercules. Hopefully this fine old warbird will continue in it's tradition of service.