Hercules (Volume 2) - Variants

For more than 70 years, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules has been the backbone of Western airlift and a trusted workhorse for air forces around the world. With over 2,700 built, its adaptability is unmatched: transport, gunship, tanker, electronic warfare platform, drone mothership and special operations aircraft are just some of its roles. The Hercules Story charts this remarkable versatility, tracing the aircraft's journey from the pioneering YC-130 prototypes to the advanced C-130J family in both military and civil service. It profiles the many variants, missions and operators that shaped its legacy, making it an essential reference on this aviation icon.