HC-130H and HC-130P

hjc · by **hjc** » 13 Jan 2023, 10:04

Good day folks,

Possibly a simple question, but I can't seem to find the anwser: Can anyone tell me what the difference is between an HC-130H and an HC-130P, please?

Thank you.

c130kcf · by **c130kcf** » 13 Jan 2023, 19:08

i was on an HC-130 P in Guam. Tail# 66-225. It had Benson tanks and what I call radome whiskers that extend out to snatch the balloon cable that was attached to a guy in a harness on the ground. I don't know if it was Lockheed modified afterwards or delivered that way. It was in, 79th Air Rescue and was the only one there when I was there, Apr 67 -Apr 69.

Saw the man pickup demonstrated at Pope AFB Apr 69 to Mar 70. This 24 yr old thought it was quite impressive. Not for me.

daswp · by **daswp** » 15 Jan 2023, 18:53

Air Fore: H models were E models with newer engines, T-56-A-15.
The P's were modified H-models with a lot of avionics and added defensive gear.
N models (IIRC) were modified from the basic C-130H models, rounded nose and all the the gear the P models had.

FWIW, at least one HC-130H became a WC-130H, then was converted to a MC-130P, finally being retired. I'll have to go back and look up which tail number.

hjc · by **hjc** » 16 Jan 2023, 08:46

Thanks folks.

I take it the upgrade didn't involve a change of engines but maybe an adjustment in the MTOW?

wwatt · by **wwatt** » 18 Jan 2023, 22:21

Only difference between HC-130H and HC-130P was IFR system.

hjc · by **hjc** » 19 Jan 2023, 08:59

Thanks for the replies!!