The Australian Government ordered twelve C-130J-30 Super Hercules in December 1995 as replacements for the twelve C-130Es in service since 1966, deliveries began during 1999.
A97-440 ~ Arrived 24 September 1999, Nose Art: “Cargo Cat”
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A97-441 ~ Arrived 24 September 1999, Nose Art: “Time Machine” replaced with “Ice Queen” , now “Drop Bear”
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A97-442 ~ Arrived 20 October 2001, Nose Art: “High Maintenance”
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A97-447 ~ Arrived 23 October 1999, Nose Art: “Roll With It”, 75th Anniversary
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A97-448 ~ Arrived 03 December 1999, Nose Art: Nil
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A97-449 ~ Arrived 23 October 1999, Nose Art: “Harder, Longer, Faster”, then “Walk The Line”, both now removed.
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A97-450 ~ Arrived 24 November 1999, Nose Art: “Black Pearl” now removed
Carried “Hercules 50 years” artwork on tail.
Tail Art depicts the Air Force 50 Years of C-130 Operations 1958~2008
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A97-464 ~ Arrived 07 September 1999, Nose Art: Nil
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A97-465 ~ Arrived 18 January 2000, Nose Art: “Combat Dolphin”
~~Wing centre section damaged by crane during engine change on unknown date. Aircraft parked at Richmond and used for parts pending decision on depot level repair. ~~ Returned to service 2006.
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A97-466 ~ Arrived 30 March 2000, Nose Art: “Desert Devil”
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A97-467 ~ Arrived 18 April 2000, Nose Art: “10 Years MEO”
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A97-468 ~ Delivered 2000, Nose Art: “DROP’N LOADS (BULL RIDER)” Now removed
~~Wings damaged in a storm at Richmond on 3/12/2001 but repairs not commenced until 12/2003. ~~ Aircraft back in service 03/2005. Parts supplied from A97-465.
All Nose Arts have since been removed from the C-130J-30 fleet.
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July 2023 ~ 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force at a cost of $9.8 billion. The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base, Richmond NSW.
Delivery of the first replacement aircraft is expected late 2027.