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RAAF finishes repaint of C-130J fleet

written by australianaviation.com.au | August 30, 2017
C-130J Hercules, A97-448, emerges from the Douglas Aerospace hangar at Wagga Airport following the aircraft's repaint. (Defence)
C-130J A97-448 at Wagga Wagga Airport after being repainted. (Defence).

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has finished the repainting program of its fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules airlifters.

The last C-130J to be repainted in the current two-tone dark grey scheme, A97-448, emerged from the Douglas Aerospace hangar at Wagga Wagga Airport in mid-August, images released by Defence show.

The C-130J was first introduced into RAAF service in 1999 featuring a light grey camouflage scheme. The current two-tone dark grey scheme was introduced in 2007, reflecting the aircraft’s shifting focus to tactical airlift operations.

The 12 C-130Js are flown by 37 Squadron out of RAAF Base Richmond.

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Comments (21)

  • Paul

    says:

    Looks great! I still miss the Hercs in the all silver paint scheme from the old days. I must be showing my age as well?

  • Bill

    says:

    May be the RNZAF ought to paint their Fleet the same scheme ?

    Here’s hoping RZAF gets the C-130J to replace the C-130H

    Helen Clarke, will be talking the Singapore Air Force, forcing them to disband their Fighter Wings soon !

    After all she been carry out Agenda 21 and Common Purpose; working for the Bankers

    Time the Government put the “Force” back in The “Royal New Zealand Air Force” and bought some
    decent Fighter Aircraft……

  • AVGEEK

    says:

    All 12 are definitely not re-painted.

    Flying Colours Aviation in Townsville have done 4 (A97-440, A97-441, A97-442 & A97-447)

    Douglas Aersopace only painted one (A97-448)

    I’m no mathematician but that’s only 5, what’s happening with the other 7?

  • PAUL

    says:

    @Bill heck yeah! no more Agenda 21 types needed in NZ!

  • Paul

    says:

    6 Singapore F-16 a , 2x c-130s and KC-135 transitted Amberley yesterday.

  • Jason

    says:

    AVGEEK – all C-130Js HAVE been repainted from their original light grey scheme they were delivered in.

  • Philip Hannaford

    says:

    Paul,
    I hope you can get to Okahea to photo those Vipers buzzing the landscape?
    A great warm-up and shake-down before the F15SGs transit in the not-too-distant future.

  • PAUL

    says:

    @ Paul nice @ Phil yes hope we can get some good pics or video footage. There’s some good footage of them on You tube from Pitch Black recently whci I was checking out this morning over a cuppa

  • Paul

    says:

    I have photos of them arriving at Amberley. I’m not going to NZ for some F-16s .

  • Steven

    says:

    @Avgeek actually ALL 12 have been repainted. Not sure what ‘facts’ you are using but Douglas aerospace just repainted the last of the original fleet – per-say ALL painted.

    Look forward to seeing many more in my home town and training base!

  • Dunover

    says:

    That looks like the same fancy paint they use on super hornets to improve stealth.

  • AVGEEK

    says:

    My mistake, I though they meant they’ve repainted all 12 recently (including the ones that were painted since 2006-2008).

    So there’s 5 freshly painted, and 7 that are almost a decade old? Surely the other seven would be coming up for repaint as well?

  • ULISES VELEZ

    says:

    new PAINT SCHEME BUT DOING THE SAME JOB.

  • Christopher

    says:

    Paul,

    Very exciting news for our Kiwi brothers…F-16’s & possibly F-15’s, jet fighters within your airspace once again! The awe inspiring sounds & the smile on everyone’s faces have been sorely missed…
    Me thinks even the sheep will enjoy the spectacle!! It might put them under a little bit of stress & start producing high quality wool! ??????

  • ESLowe

    says:

    Interesting…but just wondering. I imagine the 130J is about 2/3 of the way of it’s active life. Will the Air Force replace them with the Atlas a400 when the time comes?

  • Paul

    says:

    Toatally agree Christopher. That wool comment cracks me up?

  • Derrick

    says:

    @ESLowe, once the rest of the C-27J have arrived it should reduce the flight hours on the C-130

  • Raymond

    says:

    ESLowe, if anyone knows the answer to your question, then they likely know more than anyone in the RAAF does at this stage…

  • Paul

    says:

    ESlowe , most likely I would say , but that’s just a guess.

  • Brian

    says:

    The only replacement for a C-130 is another C-130. The A400 is half way between a C-130 and a C-17 in size. That would leave a large capability gap between C27J and A400. Personally, I doubt the A400 would ever see RAAF service.

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