'ODIN' becomes a firefighter
Coulson Aviation of Portland (OR), USA has taken up the conversion of Lockheed C-130H N136CG (c/n 382-4334) into Tanker #136. The machine is ‘ODIN’ a name it already had while flying as serial 952 of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. With its conversion program on schedule, this aircraft has an estimated completion date of early 2024.
It was the fifth and final C-130H of a group that was stored with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309th AMARG) at Davis-Monthan AFB (AZ). They arrived at Davis-Monthan in November/December 2008 after being retired by the Norwegians and replaced by C-130Js.
Coulson, on the lookout for additions to its fleet of firefighting aircraft, found the former Norwegian Hercules in good condition and with relatively low flying hours. The company bought the five C-130Hs in November 2019 with the intention to modernize the aircraft with new glass cockpits and firefighting-specific equipment.
The first of these was former Norwegian Air Force 956 ‘TY’ (c/n 382-4338). It was converted into Tanker #132 with registration N132CG. The second to be converted became N130CG Tanker #130, which used to fly in Norway as 957 ‘BRAGE’(c/n 382-4339).
On 18 April 2023 Coulson announced that, after several months of extensive heavy maintenance in Tucson (AZ), the third Herky, N140CG ‘FRØY’ was ready for the ferry flight to Canada. There in Port Alberni (BC), the plane that will become Tanker #133 underwent various system upgrades and RADS-XXL tanking system install. N140CG is the former Norwegian Air Force 955 (c/n 382-4337). The conversion has taken place and Tanker #133 is expected to be operational in the fall of 2023.
Since then the fourth Hercules, N382CG (c/n 382-4336) was prepared for a ferry flight from Tucson (AZ) to Coulson’s Thermal (CA) facility where heavy maintenance and conversion work will continue. N382CG is the former Norwegian Air Force 954 named ‘BALDER’. N382CG will become Tanker #136. The plane is seen here with all of its maintenance personel in the foreground.
The activities to prepare the final Hercules (c/n 382-4334) for flying started in the last week of May 2023. As mentioned before it is the 5th C-130 Coulson purchased from the Norwegian Air Force (former Norwegian serial 952 named ‘ODIN’).
Scramble published information on the former Norwegian Hercules fleet here and here.
Photos: Coulson Aviation