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Feats of Hercules

The mighty 4-engine Lockheed HERCULES – America’s first Jet Age airlifter – performs cargo-handling feats no other plane can equal. Press a button and down comes the hydraulically-operated tailgate of the HERCULES, to loading dock height leaving a cavernous aft opening that measures 9 feet by 10 feet. In seconds, attendants attach a winch cable to loaded tandem-hitched pallets, in readiness on the dock. Press another button and 35,000 pounds of cargo glide inside the HERCULES – in only 40 seconds!

Airborne, the HERCULES climbs 2,450 feet per minute, fully loaded, and cruises at 305 knots. Arriving at its destination, this prop-jet giant can land and stop within 1500 feet – saving extra minutes of precious time. Highly maneuverable, it can be positioned quickly for unloading. Attach the winch cable, press a button – and out glides the whole 35,000-pound cargo in 40 seconds!

 

PROP-JET GIANT SWALLOWS 35,000 POUNDS IN 40 SECONDS

 

The all-mechanical loading / unloading system available only with the Lockheed HERCULES makes possible a 40% saving in manpower required to prepare and load freight for air shipment. And a 90% reduction of idle ground time can be accomplished by shortening the unloading / loading period from hours to minutes.

 Lockheed means leadership

Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, GEORGIA DIVISION, Marietta, Georgia / USA