New Zealand’s Heritage Herks sold for firefighting
April 11, 2025
New Zealand’s retired fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft has been sold to Coulson Aviation, an American aerial firefighting company, for $9 million.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) officially retired its last C-130H(NZ) aircraft on Friday, 31 January 2025, having amassed 155,000 accident-free flying hours and nearly 100,000 landings over 60 years. The C-130H Hercules aircraft operated from Europe to the southwest Pacific, from Afghanistan to Antarctica. They left a legacy of providing support to New Zealanders and the wider region in all kinds of environments. The aircraft had served for 60 years and its replacements, five C-130J Super Hercules were handed over between 8 August 2024 and 18 December 2024.
Following a substantial upgrade and conversion programme the aircraft will be deployed around the world as fire-fighting tankers. The four aircraft will be prepared for flight and flown to Coulson’s Maintenance Base in Thermal, California by commercial crews over the next few months.
Wayne Coulson, president and chief executive of Coulson Group, says that his company is looking forward to integrating these aircraft into its existing fleet of six C-130H Hercules: “Coulson is honoured to acquire the NZDF’s four C-130H’s, solidifying Coulson’s position as the largest non-government C-130H operator worldwide. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to providing world-class aerial firefighting solutions and expanding our operational capabilities globally. We look forward to continuing our mission of protecting communities and natural resources with these proven, versatile aircraft.”
