Alternatives to the Hercules Twin with photos

[McColm]

The Lockheed-Georgia L-400 Twin Hercules was a study of how to build a lighter-weight version of the C-130. Which would have given the company a product to compete with the Transall C-160 and Aeritia G.222 both intended to replace the C-47, C-119 and C-123 aircraft.


https://flic.kr/p/2rYYDeo


An alternative was to keep the C-130 fuselage but reduce the wingspan to 119.7ft/36.5m and reduce the main landing gear to two single wheels, neither of these proposals got passed the drawing board but scaled-down concept models were built.

https://flic.kr/p/2rYZY8m


One of the alternatives that was built, originally intended for the Thai Airforce to evaluate before signing on the dotted line was the Mancro C-123T. This started life as a Fairchild
C-123B Provider with a bulbous nose cone which contained a weather radar. The conversion work was carried out by Waco Airmotive. The radial engines were replaced with Allison
T56-A-7B. Development began in September 1979 with the first flight made on October 24th 1980. Further improvements would have been needed for a fully functioning aircraft subject to the specifications of the customer. The project was ended due to funding shortages.

https://flic.kr/p/2rYZYvf


The alternative to the twin-turboprops was four General Electric J47-GE-11 turbojets these were fitted by Chase Aircraft and tested on the XC-123A unfortunately this aircraft was found unable to operate from short/rough airstrips. Only one example was built but didn't qualify for the twin-engined alternative.

SJMcColm Engineering Limited did propose the SJMc Harlequin C.1, this used the fuselage of the C-130 Hercules with the twin-boom twin-fins from the Fairchild C-119 with a pair of SJMc turbojets later changed to turbofans. Originally a contender for the USNAVY as a Carrier On-board  Delivery which went head-to-head with the Fairchild M-216 ( light-modified C-123B). The Harlequin was modified to be used as an air-to-air refuelling aircraft, again studied by the USNAVY over an 18 month period by this time the British Air Ministry had made up their minds to place an order for 30 examples for Transport Command,  Canada and Australia would receive 20 each. The Canadians used their's for Combat Search and Rescue, Transport and Tankers whilst Australia used their's mainly in the transport role and then for ELINT duties.  New Zealand leased 15 for cargo/freighter work.
Even the Channel Islands used them as Air-Car-Ferries and later for freighter services.  Back in Blighty the Harlequin C.1 and KC.1 would also undertake the Electronic Warfare,  Maritime Surveillance and Early Warning applications bringing the fleet upto 60.

https://flic.kr/p/2rYYGCT

https://flic.kr/p/2rYZKwo


As for the Twin-engined version of the C-130 Hercules, SJMcColm Engineering Ltd used the fuselage of the C-130E/H for the C-400 Eccles powdered by a pair of Napier Eland turboprops which were later replaced with the Rolls-Royce/Allison turboprops when they became available.  Originally used in the AEW role for 11 Group but later orders placed for Transport Command and 18 Group Coastal Command.
The project name was changed from Eland to the production name of Eccles.

https://flic.kr/p/2rYZLaY


https://flic.kr/p/2rZ149y


Across the pond Lockheed Martin were promoting the SC-130B Maritime Patrol Aircraft and later the SC-130J so naturally SJMc had to build a twin-engined version Sea Hercules MRA.1 powdered by a pair of Allison T56 turboprops the alternative to the Lockheed P-3A Orion and Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic with the weapons bay along the fuselage.


https://flic.kr/p/2rYYRVf

https://flic.kr/p/2rYUfQ9

Fuselage weapons bay next to the sonorbouy launch tubes which can be loaded from the outside as well as internally.


https://flic.kr/p/2rZ22SE