C-130
in Ecuador
C-130
in Ecuador
The Ecuadorean Air Force has operated a total of eight Hercules of different types, all of them asigned to No.11 Transport Wing at Mariscal Sucre AB in Quito, sharing the runway with the International Airport.
In July 12 1977 the FAE got their first C-130H model L.382C-74D receiving FAE-743 military registration and HC-BEF civil registration. Next month in August 9th, a second C-130H landed in Quito, being serialed as FAE-748. This one crashed in July 12 1978 agains a mountain near Quito, while trying to land in bad weather conditions. The aircraft was arriving from Miami, with a full load of medical equipment for the Military Hospital.
As a replacement, a third C-130H model L.382C-87D was received in April 1979, being asigned FAE-812 serial. In 1981 the FAE purchased a larger L.100-30 (FAE-893), which was extensively used upon its arrival, during the Ecuador-Peru conflict in 1981. This aircraft suffered a misfunction of the landing gear and had to belly land at Guayaquil. Was repaired and still continue flying.
In April 29 1982 FAE-743 crashed at Monjas, near Quito, in similar circumstances as FAE-812, but during touch and go operations. Apparently the Hercules was flying at low altitude in dense clouds, hitting a mountaing while re-taking the runway for a new pass.
To help fighting the drug smugglers, the US Government gave to the FAE four ex USAF C-130Bs, being serialed FAE-894 to 897. They wore a "Europe One " camouflage, different from the "Vietnam Style" of former C-130s.
The FAE-894 is the first C-130B out of Lockheed production line and served with the Kentucky ANG, while the FAE-895 was in service with the Alabama ANG.
FAE-896 and 897 were flown from Davis-Monthan AB in Arizona, where they were parked in no fly conditions. It was necessary to do some repairs to make them air-worthy. Once they arrived to Quito, they stayed unoperative as a major inspection was required, comprising major structural changes in the aircrafts. Today they serve as a source of spare parts for the operatice C-130s.
During a new confrontation with Peru in 1995, this time between Cenepa and Santiago rivers in the rainforest, the C-130s were used to perform logistic flight to ecuadorean posts along the disputed border. Now, the entire Hercules fleet is being used in humanitary missions for the victims of El Niño.
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(World Air Power Journal) |
(FAE) |
(World Air Power Journal) |
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(FAE) |
(Flap International) |
(Dirsat) |
