National Warplane Museum’s C-130 “Saigon Lady” Nearing Completion

The National Warplane Museum, in Geneseo, New York, is home to an expansive and eclectic collection of both historic military and civilian aircraft. Some of the fleet is airworthy, such as the infamous D-Day Vet C-47 “Whiskey 7” and Beechcraft Staggerwing (RNAF Traveller Mk. I.) On the static aircraft side, the NWM boasts some size with a C-119G (ex-RCAF), and a recently acquired C-130A Hercules, now affectionately named “Saigon Lady.”

Built in 1957 as Serial #57-0460, the Geneseo Warplane Museum’s C-130A Hercules was initially assigned to the USAF 317th Troop Carrier Wing in August 1958. At the onset of the Vietnam War, she was assigned overseas and served with the 435th TS of the Vietnam People’s Air Force. It was here that 57-0460 (now “HCF 460”) earned her nickname. During the fall of Saigon, VPAF Lt. Kheim Pham was, like countless other South Vietnamese people, extremely fearful about what might happen if innocent citizens were left behind to fend for themselves against the incoming Northern enemy forces. Pham devised a plan to fly his family, friends, and gaggle of civilians out of the danger zone. After devising a strategic plan, and some good fortune (including lackadaisical gate guards, a fuel rationing oversight, and an otherwise-occupied co-pilot), Pham was able to pair with his friend Major Nguyen Canh and “borrow” a C-130. This led to a flight from Long Thanh Airport, loaded to the gills with South Vietnamese people seeking peace. A short while later, they landed in Singapore, and “the rest (as they say), is history.”

After her goodwill mission, “Saigon Lady” eventually returned home to the United States. She was reassigned to the USAF, where she served stateside up until the 1980s. She was retired, and flown to Dulles International Airport as part of the National Air and Space Museum (pre-Udvar-Hazy facility.) Hercules 57-0460/HCF 460 sat for a number of years until the Smithsonian decided to deaccession the aircraft and make her available for another museum to display. Enter the National Warplane Museum. After finding the listing for “Saigon Lady” on the US Government’s registry, the museum initiated an aggressive fundraising campaign to raise funds and transport her home. At the same time, museum members established a relationship with Kheim Pham and his family. The campaign was a wild success, and in 2018, the C-130A was trucked up to the Geneseo Museum, where a static restoration effort was immediately begun.

6 years after her final “flight” to Geneseo, “Saigon Lady” is nearing completion. When she arrived, the fuselage, wings, and tail sections needed to be adjoined once again. Props needed to be acquired and assembled, which proved to be no easy task for the early A-model tri-paddles. The nose cone needed a complete refurbishing, and the hydraulics to operate the cargo door also called for attention. All of this work has been completed by the industrious team of National Warplane Museum volunteers, many of whom are Vietnam and C-130 Veterans themselves. Final coats of paint are currently being applied, and she will soon appear just as she did on April 2, 1975, when Lt. Pham played a role in saving countless lives. The museum plans to continue to highlight the Hercules in their collection, to help tell the story of the Vietnam War and all the brave souls who served. The Hercules is a point of pride and has found a great forever home in Geneseo, New York. For more information and support the National Warplane Museum, visit www.nationalwarplanemuseum.com.