Jets and aircraft after the Cold War (12 Viewers)

[A4K]

Lockheed C-130H Hercules RNZAF 2022 the net
View attachment 895288

That's a great shot, and interesting if true (...?)

First, it's actually one C-130H (top rear), and three C-130J-30s.

Never seen a Herc with two tanks under each wing, so checked the net. Apparently the KC-130J does, the two inners carrying fuel as usual, and two outers for carrying drogue and tow cable equipment for in-flight refuelling.

The aircraft are definitely kiwis (AFAIK), as they have the FLIR in the nose and GPS pod top centre. AC-130Js, which also have the nose FLIR, have the GPS pod off to starboard (- not to mention the extra FLIR forward of the port u/c, and bloody big guns sticking out the side ) So it's not them.

I could find no reference to us fitting the outer external tanks however. According to the net, they are offered in the initial C-130J package, but not many operators have opted to use them, including the RNZAF.
That being the case, assuming everything I read is correct, either the RNZAF fitted them as a PR exercise, or it's an AI photo.

 

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[Viking1066]

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet '427' 9 Sqn Kuwait 2020 the net

 

[Viking1066]

McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II 501 Hokotai 2018 the net

 

[Viking1066]

Pre-delivery testflight over the Mediterranean near Marignane 2007 the net

 

[Viking1066]

RAF No.617 and USMC VMFA-211 operating off HMS Queen Elizabeth 2021 photo 4 the net

 

[Viking1066]

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet VFC-12 2017 the net

 

[Viking1066]

Landing on USS Ranger the net

 

[Viking1066]

JMSDF Kawasaki P-3 2017 the net

 

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[Viking1066]

F-15C Eagle from 67th FS refueled by KC-135R from 909th RS 2010 the net

 

[Viking1066]

F-16s photo 2 the net

 

[Viking1066]

F-22 Raptors sit on the flight line at Hickam Air Force Base 2007 the net