Lockheed C-130H Hercules
Specifications
RNZAF serial no. NZ7001
The Lockheed Hercules first went into service in 1956 and has gone on to become the world’s most successful tactical troop carrying and cargo aircraft.
In 1963, RNZAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Ian Morrison, implemented a programme of modernisation focused on enhancing the capabilities of the RNZAF and the Hercules was the obvious first choice in the transport role.
An initial order for three Hercules was placed in mid-1963 and they were flown to New Zealand by RNZAF crews who had received training in the United States, arriving on 14 April, 1965. They officially entered service with No. 40 Squadron the next day. Two additional aircraft were ordered in 1967, arriving in January 1969.
The fleet went on to perform extraordinary service for the RNZAF for the next 60 years.
From Antarctica to Afghanistan, the fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft delivered cargo, troops, tactical weapons and humanitarian aid wherever and whenever required.
The fleet of C-130 aircraft received new outer wing sections in 1981 and a life extension programme started in 2005. This involved an extensive avionics upgrade of the flight deck and structural refurbishment. The aircraft were then re-designated as the C-130H(NZ).
When the last Hercules retired in 2025, the fleet had completed more than 155,000 accident-free flying hours and nearly 100,000 landings.
The RNZAF decided the best aircraft to replace the Hercules was another Hercules, the fleet was replaced with five new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
NZ7001
NZ7001 was the first of the RNZAF’s five Lockheed Hercules to be built.
Throughout its 60-year operational career, NZ7001 completed more than 33,000 flying hours while delivering humanitarian aid, supporting New Zealand’s Antarctic programme and delivering essential cargo into combat zones as part of New Zealand’s commitment to its allies and partners around the world.
On 19 February thousands turned out to Wigram to see the NZ7001 pull off the last of more than 20,000 landings on a shortened airstrip.
NZ7001 is the only C-130H Hercules aircraft preserved by the RNZAF. The other four were sold overseas as firefighting aircraft.
