The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is the oldest serving transport aircraft design currently in Armed Forces inventory. As a result, thousands of crew members have served aboard the “Herkey Bird” throughout its service history. Many crew are intensely proud of the aircraft and as a result, the C-130 is, perhaps, the most tattooed transport aircraft out there… but that’s just a guess from our crack editorial staff!
Over 2300 C-130’s have been produced and they are still under production as the C-130J Super Hercules - nearly the same externally as the basic C-130 but with new engines, six-bladed propellers, digital avionics and other upgraded systems. The fact that it’s still rolling off the assembly line after 55 years is an amazing testament to the durability of the design and usefulness of the aircraft in a changing military over more than five decades.
A little known fact about the C-130 is the fact that it currently holds the record for the largest and heaviest aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier - a record set through a series of trials in October and November 1963 with a USMC KC-130F aboard the USS Forrestal.
This tribute tattoo of a C-130 as a paratrooper ship was created by artist Melissa Zimmer of Black Lantern Tattoo in Glendale, AZ.
Please click on the image above or the link below for two larger images.
Click the above image for the full-size photo.
Join the Tattoos In Flight Air Force! - If you have or find any aviation-themed tattoos on the web, send the photo to us along with the name of the artist, studio, location, and a website! Send them along to tattoosinflight@gmail.com, or use the “submit” tool at the right.
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