Herk: Hero of the Skies [Hardcover]

Joseph Earl Dabney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 091487540X | ISBN-13: 978-0914875406 | Edition: 3 Rev Exp

Starting out primarily as a tactical military airlifter, the C-130 Hercules air transport has gained worldwide renown for its use in hauling relief goods to disaster areas around the globe, becoming one of America's most effective ambassadors of goodwill. From airlift missions in Zaire and Ruwanda, to rescue missions in Uganda and Antarctica, the Hercules has played major roles in hunting hurricanes, fighting forest fires, refueling helicopters, developing oil fields, and revolutionizing scientific exploration.

These stories and many others are told through riveting first-hand accounts and more than 300 photos. The book covers the technical aspects of the C-130 Hercules, as well as its use as a humanitarian airlifter, and makes this 3rd edition of Herk: Hero of the Skies the definitive biography of this legendary aircraft.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Joseph E. Dabney currently lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area. He is a veteran of the Korean War and is retired from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Marietta, Georgia, where he served as a public relations representative from 1965 to 1989. Prior to that, he was a reporter for fifteen years and an editor with several Southern newspapers. Other books by the author are Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread & Scuppernong Wine; Mountain Spirits; and More Mountain Spirits.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Bright Mountain Books; 3 Rev Exp edition (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 091487540X
• ISBN-13: 978-0914875406
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #533,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Biological & Chemical

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herk: Hero of the skies, October 14, 2008

By 

Bruce E. Parr (TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Herk: Hero of the Skies (Hardcover)

When I graduated from tech school at Chanute AFB, Ill my first assignment was Langley AFB, VA with the 463rd Troop Carrier Wing, 463 Field Mintenance Squadron. That started a love affair with the C-130 Hercules that lasts to this day.
The author, Joe Dabney, has written a wonderful account about the inception and building of one of the most remarkable and versatile aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory. He relates stories of the Hercules in it's many missions far and beyond its intended purpose; that of moving men and equipment into limited spaces. Mr. Dabney tells of the many humanitarian life saving missions the Herk has been put through. One story relates of taking soldiers of the army of India into the high Himalayas to a runway at 10,000 ft. that wasn't even close to level and bringing out hundreds of orphan children.
A tip of the cap to Joe Dabney for writing an excellent book on the C-130 Hercules and a snifter clink to Lockheed for building one hellva bird.
Bruce E. Parr
463rd FMS
Langley AFB, VA/Mactan Isle AB, P.I.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for C-130 fans!, July 11, 2006

By 

Steven S. Silverwood "//Steve//" (Fountain Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Herk: Hero of the Skies (Hardcover)

When I was in the Air Force, I had the privilege of working on C-130 aircraft, both in Alaska at Elmendorf AFB and with the California Air National Guard in Van Nuys. I had a copy of this book at one time, a treasured part of my library, but unfortunately I loaned it out and have not seen it since (THAT won't happen again!). It was one I enjoyed reading over and over again, as I have a love for this aircraft like no other I've ever been associated with. This book captures that feeling nicely, with both a detailed history of the aircraft from concept to prototype, to all the variants that made their way from the drafting table to the production line and out to the individual units in the Air Force. The little ditty in the back of the book, written at the time the C-130 was transferred from Tactical Air Command over to Military Airlift Command, sums it up nicely -- it's carried everything you can imagine, and it's gone places you might not even believe possible, INCLUDING a carrier landing on the USS Forrestal! Aviation buffs of all ages, and especially us old military types who were up close and personal with this most capable of aircraft, will enjoy this book immensely!

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy a world atlas!, August 26, 2010

By 

Yurk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Herk: Hero of the Skies (Hardcover)

This book was great! I didnt know how someone could have written a book that does the C-130 justice, but this book does it. Some of the places that Mr. Dabney writes of while documenting the herks feats were places I previously have never heard of. I just happened to have a world atlas and broke it out. Not only was the book a great read, but it provided a history and geography lesson while telling of the herks many stops and heavy lifts. No question about it, this is a must read for anyone who loves aviation history or the 130.