Lockheed DC-130A Hercules, 570497 / 182-3204, Avtel Flight Test Inc.
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 570497
Construction Number: 182-3204
Code Number: 497
Model Lockheed DC-130A Hercules
Operator: Avtel Flight Test Inc.
Airport: Mojave (MHV / KMHV), USA - California
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 07/05/1993
Date Submitted: 06/02/2009
Photographed on the ramp at Mojave this Hercules was built as a C-130A for the USAF as 57-0497 but became the second GC-130A converted by Lockheed, (later redesignated as a DC-130A). She replaced a Boeing B-50 as the mothership for the Northrop Q-4B drone. From March 1963 she was operated by the 3225 Drone Squadron. Flown from Holloman AFB; Air Force Missile Development Center, New Mexico. From August 1968 to December 1968 she was assigned to the 4472 CCTS / 4453 CCTW, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Then from July 1970 she was operated by the 4472 CCTS / 4453 CCTW, also at Davis-Monthan AFB. Stored at MASDC from 8 January 1979 with inventory code CF024 she left MASDC on 13 March 1979 and was transferred to the US Navy as Bu.No.570497, to VC-3 (Fleet Composite Squadron-3) at NAS North Island. On 1 April 1985 she was transferred to Tracor Flight Systems Inc. (TFSI) at Mojave for contract drone operations then from 30 March 1990 was operated by Avtel Services Inc. in the same role. May 2002 saw a return to Navy service with VX-30 at Point Mugu. She saw combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 flying BQM-34 launch missions. She was active with VX-30 until June 2007 launching BQM-34 and BQM-74 drones and at the time was the oldest C-130 in US military service! She was retired on 27 June 2007 and flown to AMARC for storage.
Picture ID:1157192