Lockheed C-130 (oz17029)

About this Plan

Lockheed C-130. Radio control scale model. Wingspan 102 in, wing area 1020 sq in, for 4x K&B .21 engines. Uses foam construction.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 29/9/2026: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "An incredible scale project, yet one that can be built by any experienced modeler. A frequent trophy winner. It's true 'monster' scale! Lockheed Hercules C-130, by Skip Mast.

If you are considering a multi-engined project, here is one that flies better than most trainers I have flown.

I became hooked on multi-engined models about twelve years ago when I designed and built an all-foam DC-3 with two Super Tigre 46s that flew just great and dispelled all the myths that I had heard about multi-engined aircraft; ground-handling was the only problem encountered with this plane. Then came a B-29 a couple of years later powered with four 15s that flew even better and lasted almost seven years before pilot error did it in.

The C-130 started out as a one-year project but somehow wound up taking two years to complete. The C-130, like most of my projects, is all foam covered with balsa; the cowls, engine nacelles, and main landing gear fairings are of fiberglass. The model features retracts, Fowler flaps and cargo door, spans 102 inches, weighs 18 pounds and is powered by four K&B 21s.

The test flight was at the 1980 Mint Julep scale meet at Falls of Rough, Kentucky, on Saturday morning before official flying began. This was also the test flight on the Heathkit radio that was completed and installed in the airplane the week before. I had intended to test fly the day before, but by the time the engines (which had not been run before) were started and adjusted for high and low rpm, and a taxi test or two had been performed, it was pointed out to me by Hank Pohlmann that the radio had been on for almost two hours; so it was decided not to fly before recharging the batteries.

On Saturday morning the engines started easily and a last full-throttle check was made with the airplane held at a 45° nose-high attitude. The model was taxied to the center line of the long smooth runway at Falls of Rough and, with my heart pounding and hands shaking, the throttle was advanced. The C-130 moved down the runway and lifted off like it had been flying for years. I was amazed at how smooth and fast this monster flew. After a few laps around the field, it was time to get the plane back on the ground. Since I was half afraid to try those big flaps, a flaps-up landing was made and it was long and hot. The flaps were tried on the next flights and they slowed the airplane right down to a walk.

The C-130 finished in second place at the Mint Julep, competing in some very fast company. I was pleased.

CONSTRUCTION: I will assume that modelers wanting to tackle this project already know basic building techniques and have some previous experience with standoff scale models. Therefore I won't go into great detail on construction but simply give an outline of how I did it. You may have your own favorite technique or a better idea, so by all means use it.

The fuselage is constructed of polystyrene foam planked with balsa and is built in four sections - nose, center, tail, and tail cone. Begin construction with the center section, building a box of 2 in foam, and mark center lines on end of box. Attach wing saddle templates at proper location on sides of box and cut wing saddle using the hot-wire method. Tack-glue the saddle cutouts back in place in the box and fasten fuselage cross-section templates to ends of box, aligning template center lines with those on ends of box. Cut fuselage to shape; save foam pieces from saddle area for later use as wing fillet parts.

The nose section is a solid block of foam laminated of 2 in stock. For ease of cutting and shaping, this block should be only tack-glued together; break apart and glue together permanently after shaping is complete..."

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