The Lockheed-Georgia Company presents “Touchdown!” — a circa 1960 color film touting the abilities of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engined turboprop military transport aircraft capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings. The film opens with one of the aircraft doing just that as it touches down in dusty field, “operating with sure-footed ease.” A series of other landings follow in quick succession as the narrator explains how the aircraft can land in areas that might bog down a truck or other transport. At mark 03:00, the narrator explains how the C-130 is a “seasoned veteran of combat deployment” and that the aircraft has been used on military and scientific re-supply missions. One of the aircraft, used by the United States Air Force, is shown landing on a jungle airstrip in Peru (mark 03:50) to provide 260 tons of heavy equipment and cargo, while another lands upon frozen tundra (mark 04:50) or Antartica. Aircraft landings and take-offs continue to fill the screen with a landing of a modified Hercules shown and discussed at mark 07:22, followed by landings “wherever war clouds have gathered” (mark 09:04), including Vietnam.
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four–engined turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. Over forty variants and versions of the Hercules, including a civilian one marketed as the Lockheed L-100, operate in more than 60 nations.
The C-130 entered service with the U.S. in the 1950s, followed by Australia and others. During its years of service, the Hercules family has participated in numerous military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. In 2007, the C-130 became the fifth aircraft—after the English Electric Canberra, B-52 Stratofortress, Tu-95 Bear, and KC-135 Stratotanker—to mark 50 years of continuous service with its original primary customer, in this case, the United States Air Force. The C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules being produced today.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
