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.
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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.
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
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?
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.
PAUL
says:Nice job looks a bit like the RNZAF scheme – Oh by the way our Skyhawk replacements have just arrived 🙂
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/singapore-fighter-jets-train-new-zealand
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.