Coulson Aviation buys four RNZAF Hercules transports
On 11 April 2025, Coulson Aviation, the world’s largest operator of large airtankers, announced the acquisition of four ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft. This purchase means an expansion of its C-130H Hercules fleet to ten aircraft used for aerial firefighting.
The RNZAF retired its five C-130Hs in February of this year in favour of a quintet of new delivered C-130J-30s. The Coulson sale comprises Hercules NZ7002 (c/n 382-4053), NZ7003 (c/n 382-4054), NZ7004 (c/n 382-4312), and NZ7005 (c/n 382-4313). These are currently stored at RNZAF Woodburne. The fifth C-130H that was flown in the RNZAF, NZ7001 (c/n 382-4052) arrived for preservation at the Air Force Museum of NZ at RNZAF Wigram on 19 February.
The aircraft will be re-located to Coulson’s base in Thermal (CA), where they will undergo a full conversion and modernization process. Each will be equipped with Coulson’s proprietary RADS-XXL tank system—the world’s highest-capacity, highest-flow-rate aerial firefighting tank—enabling precision drops of up to 4,000 gallons. Once converted, the aircraft will expand Coulson’s global response capabilities, supporting firefighting missions worldwide.
Coulson will begin conversions later this year in close coordination with the FAA. As part of Coulson’s vertically integrated approach—spanning aircraft acquisition, engineering, modification, operations, and maintenance—the entire process will be completed in-house. This model allows for rapid deployment and tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of wildfire suppression around the globe.
Photo: Walter van Brempt