Fonz
Premium Member
Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
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http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/326591/9ae7f790/29_oktober,_1980.html
quote: Operation 'Credible Sport'
In 1980, following the failure of Operation "Eagle Claw" (aka Desert One) the U.S. military made radical modifications to a C-130H Hercules so it could take off and land almost like a helicopter. The aircraft was equipped with lift rockets slanting downward, slowdown rockets facing forward, missile motors facing backward, and still more rockets to stabilize the plane as it touched down. The mission — land in a Tehran soccer stadium, rescue 53 American hostages held captive in Iran, and get out...FAST!
Two aircraft received these special modifications and were redesignated YMC-130H. The first modified plane (#74-1683), created in just a couple of months, crashed on the runway during a training exercise after a rocket discharged prematurely and ripped off the aircraft's right wing. The second modified plane (#74-1686) was never used and is now on display at Robins AFB in Georgia.
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willay
Moderator Organiser: South East, National Events Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
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thats pretty awesome
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deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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So they never actually went into the stadium etc?! Also, why would you need a great big fuck off Hercules for 53 people?!
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Hercules are really not that big.
Was in one for over 3 hours in the cockpit while a pilot had his last "touch n go" trials before his exam. Bloody noisey inside!
Great planes, but really not that big.
Fcuk being the test pilot in that though!!!
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drunkenfool
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Registered: 7th Feb 03
Location: Hereford Drives: Audi R8 V8
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Kurt
Member
Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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Imagine being in the cockpit when those foreward rockets go off 
Rocket aided takeoff
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