The 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group Reports on a Special Modification of a Lockheed C-130A "EXCLUSIVE"

C-130A, N131EC shown on the ramp at Tamiami Regional Airport (KTMB) during the Summer of 2005. Operating from Tamiami whistle supporting a U.S. Govt. DoD project concerning the in flight launching and recovering of small drones over the Gulf of Mexico. Note the three bladed propellers a tail tale sign of the "A" model C-130
N131EC, shown in her USAF "Low Vis" paint scheme , which was applied in 2007 for the Hollywood movie 'American Gangster" as N131EC played a cameo role as a USAF C-130 of the Vietnam War period, as it brought back caskets of (KIA) servicemen

Miami, Florida 14th May 2009: Scan the skies and somewhere there will be one of many still active C-130 Hercules (or one of its more than 70 derivatives) in flight. No, it may not seem as enduringly beautiful as the Gulfstream IV. Nor is it fast as an F-22 Raptor. No, it may not appear as eerily intimidating as the F-117. To the non-discerning observer the C-130 Hercules or the "Herk" may seem no more than a flying eighteen wheeler truck.

Since early 2004, the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group (94th ACG) has had the professional and personal pleasure of knowing and having worked with Mr. Earl Cherry of Cherry Aviation, the owners and operator of N131EC.

N131EC, a C-130A whose serial number is 3212, was manufactured in 1959, powered by Allison's T-56-A11A/B engines and delivered to the Australian Royal Air Force (RAAF) where it served the RAAF well. Being just about the only C-130A still operating in the United States under a restricted Part 91 certificate, N131EC soldiers on in support of many DARPA and U.S. Govt. DoD R&D projects. One such project is the high-lite of our exclusive.

In speaking to Mr. Cherry in an exclusive over the phone interview, the 94th ACG was advised that N131EC is to undergo a modifications where it will be fitted with drogue chute in-flight refueling pods under each wing. Now one may say what is so special about that, as the United States Marine Corp VMGR's Squadrons fly with KC-130's as aerial fuel tankers. The issue is that N131EC will be the "ONLY" C-130"A" ever to be fitted with this capability, as Lockheed commenced to sling drogue chute aerial refueling pods under the C-130 with the "E" model and up to the latest and current production "J" models of which the United States Marine Corp currently operates as KC-130J's.

Once fitted with this first ever capability for an "A" model C-130 so as to undertake the support of aerial refueling, N131EC, will be supporting UH-60 Black Hawks, CH-53's, CH-47's and the Boeing V-22 "Osprey" tilt rotor. That was as to the extent of the interview, as the nature of the interview changed to CLASSIFIED and we therefore respectfully terminated our interview.