C-130 in Mexico

Since 1988, the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana or FAM have received ten C-130As. This were asigned to No.310 Heavy Transport Air Squadron, based at Santa Lucía, and as a part of No.6 Air Group, replacing the old C-47s and C-118s.
Upon arrival, all of them had a "Europe One" camouflage and were serialed FAM 10601 to 10610. One of them (10609) was reserialed as TP300 and wore a civil registration XC-UTP, being used within the Presidential Fleet. Was painted white with a blue cheatline along the fuselage, but was later repainted in the same colors as the others.

 In 1997 there were only four aircrafts in service, since one was lost in an accident and the other three (10606, 10607 and 10608) are dismantled at BAM No.1. An L.100-300 ex PeMex (Mexican Petroleum Co.) was later incorporated to FAM and actually has the same camouflage colors as the others.

Remarkable is the fact that FAM 10601 is the oldest operative Hercules in the world, being the fourth aircraft out of Lockheed production line and delivered to the USAF in 1956. All mexican aircrafts have returned to the US for avionics and engines update, having changed their three blades propellers for four blades.
 

 Picture Gallery

C-130A s/n 10605   (Víctor Gutiérrez)	C-130A s/n 10602, 10604  (Air Forces Monthly)	C-130A s/n 10601  (Víctor Hugo Vargas)
L.100-30 (Víctor Hugo Vargas)