C-130 in Brazil

The Forca Aérea Brasileira or Brazilian Air Force have operated nineteen C-130s since 1965. First five were C-130Es model L.382-16B, arriving three in November 26th 1965, escorted by Meteor F.8s over brazilian soil and delivered to 1°Esq/1°GTT "Coral" at Campo dos Alfonsos AB, Rio de Janeiro. Three additional C-130E (one L.382C-5D in 1965 and two L.382C-8D in August 1968) followed. Initially, they wore alternate serial numbers like 2451 (FAB65) or 2455 (FAB6808). From this lot, three aircrafts were lost in different circumstances: 2452 in OCtober 1966, 2450 in 1969 at Recife and 2457 during a landing approach in bad weather at Santa Maria AB in 1985. Remaining aircrafts were transfered to 2°Esq/1°GTT "Gordo".

In November 1968 arrived three RC-130E model L.382C-47D equiped for SAR duties, replacing the old Boeing SB-17Gs from 1°Esq/6°GAv. They were delivered to 2°Esq/1°GTT, but later on transfered to 1°Esq/1°GTT. This aircrafts had three extra windows in the cockpit and a paradrop door, being also used as maritime patrol. Finally they were transfered to the Air Transport Group, when the EMB-110B Bandeirantes and Learjets took in 1988 their role in SAR and maritime surveillance duties respectively.

New deliveries included one C-130H (2465) model L.382C-45D and two C-130Es (2463 and 2464) between March and October 1975. Two KC-130H (2461 and 2462) model L.382C-47Ds were delivered in October 17th 1975 and November 25th same year respectively, equipped with air refuelling drogues for the F-5 fighters. FAB 2462 was converted into C-130H in 1988, but was converted again to tanker in 1991.

Finally, three C-130Hs were delivered in 1984 (2466) and 1987 (2467 and 2468). The last one crashed into the sea in December 1987, during a landing approach in bad weather to Fernando de Noronha Is. All C-130Hs and KC-130Hs operate with 1°Esq/1°GTT at Galeao Airport in Rio de Janeiro and work very close with the Army Paratroops Division.

A C-130H was fitted with skies, to support the brazilian mission in Antarctica, landing there for the first time in August 23rd 1983.

 Picture Gallery

C-130H s/n 2467  (World Air Power Journal)	C-130H s/n 2465   (World Air Power Journal)	KC-130H s/n 2461 (World Air Power Journal)
C-130E s/n 2464 (Air Forces of the World)	RC-130E s/n 2460 (Jorge Núñez Padín)	RC-130E s/n 2459 (World Air Power Journal)