Post WW2 Aicraft »

RNZAF C-130H Hercules Final Flights

60 Year Old Aircraft Finally Retired From Service

The RNZAF acquired three Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in 1965. By 1969, they'd proven so valuable as strategic and tactical airlifters that a further two were purchased (NZ7004 and NZ7005). All five of these aircraft were officially retired from RNZAF Service on the 31st January 2025, and made their final flights on the 4th February 2025.


Click to view video

The final three Lockheed C-130H aircraft operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, make their final formation flyby of RNZAF Woodbourne, as they complete one last aerial tour of New Zealand before their ultimate grounding. 
Photo © Historical Aviation Film Unit

Click To View: Final flyover of three Lockheed C-130H aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. These aircraft flew the length of New Zealand over two days, and then made their last ever approach and landing at RNZAF Woodbourne in Blenheim, New Zealand.

In 1965 the first three Hercules were delivered to No. 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland, and were quickly put to work transporting personnel from the New Zealand Army's 161 Battery, and aid to Vietnam. The aircrafrt were also used to make new Zealands first flights to Antarctica.

In the 1970's the C-130s were the first RNZAF aircraft to visit mainland China and the USSR during the Cold War. They also provided excellent service in Pakistan, Cambodia and Bangladesh.

NZ7001-NZ7003, the first three aircraft purchased in 1965, were the first of the C-130H models off the Lockheed production line, and have given New Zealand six decades of exemplary service.

The Air Force upgraded the C-130H fleet under the Life Extension Programme (LEP) in the early 2010s, which included:

* New avionics (glass cockpit, communications, and navigation systems)

* Structural and mechanical overhauls and

* Enhanced self-protection systems

The first Hercules C-130H purchased by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1965, NZ7001, makes its last ever approach to RNZAF Woodbourne after one final flight.   Copyright © Historical Aviation Film Unit


Thank you Lockheed, for producing such an excellent all-round aircraft, and thanks to all the RNZAF personnel and crew who have kept these aircraft flying for the past 60 years.

The RNZAF has replaced the C-130H fleet with five new C-130J Super Hercules, which offer:

* Improved fuel efficiency and range

* Modern avionics and digital cockpit

* Higher payload capacity

* Better performance in extreme conditions

The transition to the C-130J marks a significant modernization of the RNZAF’s air transport capability.


Share This Story :

Other Stories and Videos:

There's More Exclusive Content On Historical Machines TV

HMTV is our advert-free streaming video channel which features an awesome array of video and long form documentary material which is not available elsewhere. Sign up for a free trial and enjoy the significant and varied range of material we have on offer...

HMTV Free Trial  

Please consider subscribing to HMTV, or buy us a drink to support our historical (story and film) preservation endeavours.

Comment Form is loading comments...