C-130 short final

C-130 on short final approach … SEA 1972. Although not the case here the C-130 was capable of landing on very short, unpaved runways. The large balloon-like tires and mammoth landing gear struts were designed to absorb high impact landings … often referred to as “assault” landings whereby the aircraft would basically be driven into the ground with slight flare at the runway threshold maintaining a fairly steep angle. Full flaps would be used to minimize approach speed. Hard braking and prop-reversal would accompany the touchdown as all prayed with end of runway quickly approaching. I recall a few assault landings with Captain Ed on dirt runways that were well under 3000 feet somewhere in Cambodia … quite a wild ride with clouds of red dust everywhere. Naturally gross weight of aircraft dependent on cargo load was always a major factor in calculating acceptable takeoff and landing distance limits. C-130s have even landed on aircraft carriers … very brave souls.