First RNZAF C-130H Hercules retires to Air Force Museum
On 19 February 2025 the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 40 Squadron safely delivered Hercules NZ7001 to the Air Force Museum in Wigram. NZ7001 was the first of three C-130H Hercules aircraft to arrive at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai in 1965. These aircraft were quickly put to work transporting personnel from NZ Army 161 Battery and aid to Vietnam. That same year, a Hercules with personnel and supplies made its first flight to Antarctica. By 1969 a further two were purchased bringing the fleet to five.
In their 60 years of faithful service the C-130Hs have clocked up more than 33,000 accident-free flying hours and 20,000 landings. They have flown midwinter Antarctic rescues in minus 35 degree Celsius temperatures, many disaster-response missions across the Indo-Pacific, short-notice evacuation tasks, such as Kabul in 2021, and operated in many combat zones.
In 2020, the Government announced the ageing fleet would be replaced by five new C-130J-30 Hercules. The last of the new aircraft arrived in December 2024, allowing the C-130H to take a well-earned retirement. The remaining four aircraft in the fleet have been retired at RNZAF Base Woodbourne.
In the coming months NZ7001 will be conserved before going on permanent display for New Zealanders to enjoy. And to optimize its preservation, the museum plans to expand its current footprint with a new exhibition hall large enough to house both the Hercules and the museum’s retired Lockheed P-3K2 Orion.
Source: RNZAF