Customer Reviews

Herk: Hero of the Skies

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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.

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!

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.

Great book for any C-130 or Air Force fan. Good quality, but wish it had more pictures...