The CC-130 Hercules, a heavy transport with distinctive upswept tail, is used for tactical transport, air-to-air refuelling and search and rescue operations. They have been in use by the RCAF since 1960. It features strong construction, good visibility, large 4,300-cubic-feet capacity, easy ramp loading, long flying range and a top speed of more than 550 km/h. One feature that made the Hercules especially valuable was the ability to reverse its propellers. This enabled it to land in areas such as the far north where landing and loading facilities were small. It could even land on dirt strips.

The Museum’s CC-130E Hercules, tail number 130313, was one of 24 E-Models purchased by the RCAF between December 1964 and August 1968. It first entered Canadian service on May 7, 1965 with 435 (Transport) Squadron at RCAF Station Namao (now CFB Edmonton) in Alberta. It was later transferred to 413 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia, and then finally transferred to CFB Trenton in 2010. Hercules 313 flew in service for the last time on March 10, 2010. It was taken out of use on April 1, 2010 and entered the Flyable Storage Program at CFB Trenton, where it was used for loadmaster (MAMS) training until it was officially retired in June of 2010. It was the 7th E-Model Hercules to be retired; 130313 has been on display at the National Air Force Museum since 2011.