First
Lockheed Martin
C-130H Hercules
Delivered
On December 12th the first Lockheed Martin C-130H
Hercules landed at the 33rd Airlift Base in Powidz. During the
transit, it still wore US reg and designations. Despite that, it is
the first example of this C-130 variant that will formally beco-
me a part of the Polish Air Force. According to the amended
agreement signed by and between Poland and the United
States, three second-hand C-130H Hercules from the US Air
Force's stockpile would be delivered to Powidz. The exam-
ples wear registration numbers 91-9141 (already in Powidz),
and also 89-1182, and 89-1185. Both aircraft are currently un-
dergoing PDM procedures at the OGMA facility in Portugal.
The procedure is carried out due to the fact that USAF is still
formally the owner - and as the owner the US Air Force had a
right to select the contractor for the PDM. The remaining two
aircraft - former 85-0035 and 85-0036 - are undergoing PDM
at the WZL Nr 2 S.A. in Bydgoszcz.
As the Polish Ministry of Defence points out, the new C-130H
Hercules is to be commissioned in late January this year.
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