Israeli Air Force

Israel
Air Force

Aircraft Types

Lockheed L-049 Constellation
Three ex-USAAF C-69 (L-049) obtained in 1947 from the War Assets Administration in the USA. Registered to the Panamanian airline LAPSA. First aircraft (RX-121) refurbished and flown 26 January 1948, flown to Panama 13 March 1948 then to Zatec in Czechoslovakia on 21 June 1948. Used by 106 sqn of LATA for cargo transport role. Remaining two examples interned by US government 24 July 1948. Civil registrations cancelled by Panama on 18 September 1948. All three later transferred to El Al. Modified to L-149 standard by Lockheed Burbank but known in El Al service as Model 249.

References:

• Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913 (Rene J. Francillon)
• Spitfires Over Israel (Brian Cull et al)
• Air International Dec 1999
• Air War On The Edge (Bill Norton, Midland Publishing, 2004)

Lockheed Model 414 Hudson
Four Hudsons converted to civil use obtained in Australia and covertly delivered from late 1948. Possibly one additional aircraft obtained in Canada in 1950. Converted back to military on delivery and used for some bombing missions, but soon relegated to transport duties. Operated by Air Transport Command, 106 Sqn and 103 Sqn. Three still in service 1 January 1950, but finally withdrawn from service in 1954.

References:

• Spitfires Over Israel (Brian Cull et al)
• Air War On The Edge (Bill Norton, Midland Publishing, 2004)

Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar
One C-60A Lodestar donated by Australian businessman Burke Naughton. Delivered on 8 October 1948 (Norton) but noted as in use on 9 September 1948 (Spitfires). 'Lodestar' 2501 was reportedly severely damaged in a landing accident at Herzliya soon after arrival (Spitfires), possibly being written off. A second example from the same source may have replaced this machine - but the reported registration of VH-BIH is a Hudson (see above). Only one Lodestar in service on 1 November 1948. Used by 106 sqn and then 103 Sqn in the utility transport role. One example noted as unserviceable on 1 January 1950 - permamently withdrawn from service shortly afterwards.

The similiar appearance of the Lodestar and Hudson seems to have caused some confusion in recording the history of these machines.

References:

• Spitfires Over Israel (Brian Cull et al)
• Air War On The Edge (Bill Norton, Midland Publishing, 2004)

Head-on view of C-130H 427. (photo, Israeli Air Force)

Lockheed-Martin C-130 Hercules ('Karnaf') * Current *
Two new-build C-130H delivered at the end of 1971 (under Peace Bata I), with two more arriving in May 1974 (under Peace Bata II). Twelve C-130E delivered in the meanwhile from USAF stocks in 1973 (under Peace Bata III). Six new-build C-130H and two new-build KC-130H delivered in 1976 (under Peace Bata IV). Used by 120, 103 and 131 sqns for the cargo transport/tanker roles. Total of twenty-four obtained of all variants. Hebrew name means Rhinoceros. At least two reportedly converted to EC-130 standard by 1996, but no modified aircraft have been observed. Hebrew name for this variant reported as 'Aya' (meaning Condor).

The 4X-xxx registrations were gradually deleted externally in the mid 1990s, but are still sometimes used as callsigns.

References:

• Lockheed Hercules Production List (Lars Olausson)
• World Air Power Journal Vol.18
• World Air Forces Directory 2006/07 (Mach III)
• Air War On The Edge (Bill Norton, Midland Publishing, 2004)