25/08/2026
"The Stallion Express" — A97-010
One of the newest additions to the Australian War Memorial’s aircraft displays is this C-130H Hercules, A97-010.
Aircraft 10 arrived at No. 36 Squadron at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond on the 8th October 1978, conducting its first mission just two weeks later — a search and rescue operation to the Solomon Islands.
Over 33 years of service, A97-010 took part in countless humanitarian and disaster-relief missions, delivering aid to communities affected by drought, fire and floods across Australia and to our Pacific neighbours.
It also carried Australian personnel on operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, was reportedly shot at by the Taliban, evacuated civilians from a coup in Cambodia, and brought home Australians killed on operations.
A pretty impressive career for one Hercules — and now a pretty impressive addition to the Australian War Memorial.