RNZAF Hercules C 130J officially welcomed - 2024.

AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND September 10, 2024. The New RNZAF Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J transport aircraft was officially welcomed at a ceremony on Base Auckland (Whenuapai) today.

[@zyoungson215]

Amazing the C-130 flew 70 years ago, and they are still producing them now. If it ain't broke..

[@AirflowNZ]

Yes, a great design!

[@kieranmacdonald83]

I'll miss the smoke trails.

[@AirflowNZ]

Not such a target now!

[@JuicyNZ]

lovely sparkling props

[@AirflowNZ]

So quiet!

[@normandunckley3926]

I have lived to long, can remember and got film footage of the C130H's arriving new at Whenuapai flying in ceremony formation with the Hastings & DC-6 ( 1965) - Will these J's last 59yrs ?

[@AirflowNZ]

Probably yes!

[@stevengorst1000]

I hope the next Warbirds over Wanaka they bring that aircraft and the C-130H to compare the difference between them that will be cool.

[@paulfharris175]

The rest of the C130J'S will be in New Zealand 🇳🇿 by years end and the C130Hs will probably be gone by years end and I think that one has already been retired NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS

[@BrianFolwell]

Hasn't the RAAF displayed a C130J at Wanaka in the past?

[@SwOoPy287]

NZDF need a few big helicopters also i think... Roll on The Hercules generation 💪.. i was stoked to catch a ride with a servicemen on leave, boarded a C-130H from CHristchurch leaving from Burnham to Whenuapai airbase.. it was a swtas ride yep. and my family lives near the old Hobsonville airbase haha, about 10 km down the road.. be seeing you with a wave on my walks C-130J 😎

[@AirflowNZ]

Thanks for sharing your memories!

[@mamingakuri2436]

the nh90s are decently large up close

[@stevecallagher9973]

Its a beefier airframe all round huh! I'll have to retune my subconcious hearing to adjust to the new powerplants and props. Out of curiousity, has the RNZAF ever considered upgrading the previous Hercs or this one with weapons such as the gunship options or even dropping bombs out the cargo door aka MOAB?

[@AirflowNZ]

Steve, our Hercs have had many upgrades over the years, even getting glass cockpits. (electronic instruments)

[@jpvisuals726]

Beauty, did it fly non stop from the USA or any stop overs?

[@kiwinznorth]

Multi stops, Travis AFB, Honolulu, Samoa, then across to Whenuapai

[@AirflowNZ]

No, Via Honolulu and Apia. Those wing tanks still not big enough!

[@Mafoo001-yt]

What Camera do You Use?

[@AirflowNZ]

Canon EOS 90D. I also use also my older 80D. Cheers, Mike

[@Mafoo001-yt]

@@AirflowNZ Oh thanks for that!

[@michaelgreen2337]

I thought we were told that these were too big for Whenuapai? Am I mistaken or was it some spin I picked up when there was a proposal for intensive housing?

[@douglasharre7156]

I think that was the Poseidons (the Orion replacement). They will be based at Ohakea.

[@michaelgreen2337]

@@douglasharre7156 Yep, I think you are right.

[@allgood6760]

Read a book called HERK Heoo of the Skies

[@AirflowNZ]

Thanks for your comment!

[@dis0953]

Did you see the US Navy C130T?

[@AirflowNZ]

I was told about it but did not film it.

[@WillySnipper]

do you think nzaf will ever get fighter jets?

[@LEAD-DISPENSER]

no, not ever again

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

NZ 100% for the taking. No air cover, no fight.

[@gtestastretta1]

RNZAF is a misnomer really. There’s no Force aspect at all. Very sad.

[@mamingakuri2436]

@@CauliflowerMcPugg would they ever get used though. The skyhawks only ever fire a single few rounds in anger... at a fishing boat.

[@mamingakuri2436]

@@gtestastretta1 You are forgetting we have some of the most advanced anti submarine warfare planes ever made. Seasprites carry missiles as well.

[@bassetdad437]

Don't let your navy officers near it.

[@AirflowNZ]

Or hands on the tiller!

[@LEAD-DISPENSER]

soooooo like if your done with the H ... . well take it of ya hands .. .

[@AirflowNZ]

You will need a decent sized backyard!

[@kentonge1812]

What does itDO.

[@LuxLux-k3o]

Bukan di javads

[@bigboy0625]

😂😂 New Zealand getting excited of a 45 year old plane 😂😂 embarrassing

[@whatthesigmaW]

This is a fresh out-of-the-factory aircraft, got no facts? 😂😂embarrassing...

[@douglasharre7156]

@@whatthesigmaW He's going to be unhappy when he hears how old the B-52s are..:-)

[@oseiasdias]

Everyone else is buying the KC390 MILLENNIUM and NZ 50 years old airplane! WHT hell

[@patkelly6349]

How embarrassing. Park it next to a c5

[@mamingakuri2436]

what exactly is embarrising about this wonderful aircraft?

[@bingbong59]

Is this a fly by taxpayer plane ✈️?

[@AirflowNZ]

NZ spends less than 2% of our GDP on Defence. To pull our weight in the Pacific region we will have to double that!

[@Not-today-wb9do]

$941 million just to the air force per year when you say 2 percent of GDP for the total defense force it doesn't sound like much but the air force gets $941.000.000 every year . an we owe other country's in the area nothing we do it out of good will nothing else .. pull our weight . pffft

[@Suchislife312]

Who cares

[@whatthesigmaW]

amen