The first C-130J-30 Hercules of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has left the Lockheed Martin paint shop in Marietta, Goeorgia, the country’s Ministry of Defence revealed.
The military transport aircraft had five units ordered in 2020 to replace four C-130H Hercules currently in operation and which were acquired in 1965.
According to the New Zealand Defence Force, the first C-130J will be delivered at the end of the year. A second turboprop is also in the paint shop after receiving its engines, the service added.
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The C-130J-30 variant has a 4.5 meter longer fuselage and can accommodate up to 21 tonnes of payload.
The new RNZAF transport aircraft will operate with Number 40 Squadron whose crews have undergone training and certification with the US Air Force 19th Airlift Wing in Hawaii.
USAF training support
“It took 14 painters two days to apply 238 liters of paint on the 11.85 meter high aircraft, using ladders and scaffolding. Royal New Zealand Air Force markings will be applied in the coming months, including the RNZAF Kiwi roundel and Number 40 Squadron’s mariner’s compass,” said Andrew Rooney, Project Team Lead at the Ministry of Defence.
According to the New Zealand government, the C-130J will be used in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and deployment of personnel and equipment both within New Zealand and overseas.
The Air Force will also have a flight simulator installed in Auckland.
