A C-130H Hercules aircraft. The planes served the Defence Force for 60 years. Photo: Supplied / Royal New Zealand Air Force
The New Zealand Defence Force has sold the majority of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's retired fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft to an American aerial firefighting company.
Four of the Air Force's five C-130H Hercules have been sold to Coulson Aviation for $9 million.
The planes will undergo a substantial upgrade and conversion programme then be deployed around the world as firefighting tankers.
Wayne Coulson, president and chief executive of Coulson Group, said they were looking forward to adding the planes to their 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," Coulson said.
"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."
The Hercules served the Defence Force for 60 years prior to their retirement.
In that time they clocked up more than 155,000 accident-free flying hours and almost 100,000 landings at home and around the world.
One aircraft in the fleet had already been delivered to the Air Force Museum in Christchurch where it would go on public display.
The four remaining planes would be flown to Coulson's Maintenance Base in Thermal California in the next few months.
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