[Llarry]

Four-engine transports don't usually come to mind when thinking about the U.S. Navy, but the Naval Reserve has five small transport squadrons flying a mix of C-130T and KC-130T aircraft. There are also 5 active ex-Marine KC-130T transport/refuelers that support Navy air test activities.

The first photo is of a C-130T transport with the older four-blade propellers that have become a maintenance issue. The second photo is of a KC-130T transport/refueler with the replacement 8-blade props. (The current C-130J uses six-blade props.)

The Navy wants to buy 32 new C-130J and KC-130J aircraft to replace these older ones, but the program is not in the budget; whether the funds will be found is an open question.