C-130s in Argentina

Argentina´s Hercules were asigned to 1st Squadron, 1st Group of Primera Brigada (First Brigade), based at El Palomar AB, Buenos Aires. First three C-130Es were received in 1968 but two of them were lost in different circumstances; the first one was lost in August 28 1975 due to a bomb placed near the aircraft at Tucuman airport. The other one was shot down in January 6 1982 by a british Sea Harrier from 800th Squadron during the Falklands Is War, killing the crew members. The third aircraft (TC-61) was converted to C-130H.

Between 1971 and 1975, five C-130H arrived to argentinian soil. One of them, TC-68 was used as a bomber during the Falklands War, with a drop system installed in the aft section and the ramp.

In 1979, two KC-130H tankers were delivered to the argentinean air force, being designated as TC-69 and TC-70. Later on this year, an L.100-30 was purchased to replace the downed aircraft. This was a demonstrator aircraft from Lockheed and was assigned LQ-FAA civil registration, being redesignated next year as LQ-APW, being used by LADE (Líneas Aéreas del Estado), the government airline. Finally, twelve ex USAF C-130B were delivered to the FAA.

During 1997, C-130H serialled TC-68 was used as a ferry for the newly aquired A-4AR FightingHawks. This aircrafts were purchased by the Argentinian Navy to replace the aging A-4Bs and A-4Qs.

 Picture Gallery

C-130H s/n TC-68  (Air International)	KC-130H s/n TC-69  (World Air Power Journal)	C-130H s/n TC-61 (Flap International)
L.100-30 s/n LQ-APW  (World Air Power Journal)	C-130H s/n TC-61 (Flap International)