The first USAF transport crews where just delighted
after the 1956 introduction ot the C-130 into operational service. Maybe it was
just because of the “race car performace
“ of the new C-130A´s compared to their previous cargo planes
(C-47,C-54,C-119,etc…). But an occasional situation brought four really highly
trained and experienced C-130 commanders (and crews) and their wonderful Hercules
at the same place , at the same time….and the results couldn´t be better…
The place was: Fort Campbell
The year: 1957
The type of mission: dropping airborne troops
Weather at the DZ*: was below minimums
*DZ: Drop Zone
So our group of heroe´s wanted to show those “fixed on
the ground audience” what those planes were capable of (typical
AIR FORCE), while waiting for the weather conditions at the DZ to improve…First they were just doing fly bys. Then formation flying with four planes at
low altitudes, again fly bys.
The spectators were delighted, and the reaction was
faster than expected. There were a lot of request to the improvised C-130
UNOFFICIAL DEMONSTRATION TEAM. And after that little performance, the humble idea
turn into a sensation, reaching international level overnight.
They didn´t have a fancy name like the USAF
“THUNDERBIRDS” or the US NAVY “BLUE ANGELS”. At first they were called “THUNDER
WEASELS”, but finally “THE FOUR HORSEMEN” prevailed. It was accurate, after all
they were four heavy stallions being ride by USAF Cowboys…
Imagine to fly close formations with those heavy
beasts less than 8 feet from wingtip to wingtip. But the Herk is a pilot´s
plane, it is big and heavy but behaves almost like a fighter aircraft,
executing steep turns with grace and high maneuverability, and it is exquisite
over powered.
The FOUR HORSEMEN only survived three years, those
C-130´s were on high demand, and the USAF couldn´t afford to have them only for
Airshows.
PHOTOS BY COURTESY OF THE USAF
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