The History of the C-130 Hercules | Heavy Metal | Popular Mechanics

The C-130’s purpose can be seen in its dimensions. A team led by Lockheed aeronautical engineer, Willis Hawkins (who later designed the M1 Abrams tank), determined the size of the Hercules’ cargo hold simply by drawing a circle around the biggest piece of equipment the Army needed to airlift—a tank. Because tanks are usually transported by rail, the team made the fuselage the same length as a railroad boxcar. And like a boxcar, the C-130 was meant to haul. After its successful first flight, production began in earnest in Marietta, Georgia, where the Herc continues to enjoy the longest continuous military aircraft production run in history. The plane has gone on to serve 70 countries and be produced in more than 70 different variants. Continue with our story: https://bit.ly/3rdZa3J Subscribe to PopMech: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoPOPMECH -------------------------------------- Facebook:   / popularmechanics   Twitter:   / popmech   Instagram:   / popularmechanics   Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/popmech/?au... #heavymetal #c130 #popularmechanics #hercules