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Airframe Details for C-130 #3732

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C-130 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 3732 (62-1787)
LM Aero T/V 3732
Plant Lockheed Marietta Plant
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 62-787
C-130E
Current USAF 62-787
C-130E
Status [pre]

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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
Unknown [act] 62-787 C-130E
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 1608 ATW C-130E
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 314 TAW C-130E
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 776 TAS 'DL' C-130E
Mar 1972 [act] 62-787 USAF 374 TAW C-130E
April 15, 1972 this aircraft flew a significantly heroic and now famous mission under call sign "Spare 617." Aircraft was attempting to air drop ammunition to enemy surrounded South Vietnamese forces at An Loc. Near the drop zone, Spare 617 received heavy enemy ground fire that damaged two engines, ruptured a bleed air duct in the cargo compartment, and set the ammunition on fire. Flight engineer Sanders was killed, and navigator Lenz and co-pilot Hering were both wounded. Despite receiving severe burns from hot air escaping from the damaged air bleed duct, loadmaster Shaub extinguished a fire in the cargo compartment, and successfully jettisoned the cargo pallets, which exploded in mid-air. Despite almost losing a third engine on final approach, pilot Capt. Caldwell landed Spare 617 safely at home base at Tan Son Nhut after loadmasters were able to get the gear to extend using the cranking mechanism. For their actions, Caldwell and Shaub received the Air Force Cross, the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor. Shaub also received the William H. Pitsenbarger Award for Heroism from the Air Force Sergeants Association.
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 314 TAW C-130E
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 139 TAS C-130E
Unknown [act] 62-787 USAF 130 TAS C-130E
Sep 1987 [act] 62-787 USAF 154 TATS C-130E
16 Apr 1992 [act] 62-787 USAF 154 TS C-130E
Mar 2009 [act] 62-787 USAF 154 TS C-130E " Spare 617"
Special characteristics:
  • Nose Art
18 Aug 2011 [pre] 62-787 C-130E

USAF Museum
Jun 2016 [pre] 62-787 C-130E
Spare 617 is now on display in the Global Reach Gallery at the NUMUSAF


Abbreviations and symbols:
[act] Active [i/a] Instructional Airframe [sto] Stored (e.g. at AMARG)
[cld] Cancelled Order [msh] Involved in Mishap [w/o] Write-off
[con] Converted [o/o] On Order
[des] Destroyed (drone) [pre] Preserved (museum, gateguard) T/V LM Aero Type/Version (Construction) number
[emb] Embargoed [scr] Scrapped Photo Available
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