Herc's one hell of an airplane. Seen that video many times. Right wing tip only cleared the island by about six feet. Someone had the idea of using the Herc as an occasional Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft. Deck just wasn't wide enough.

That landing is just plain dead nuts.

Beautiful.

I bet he was ready for a beer.

RG

IIRC, they did four or five landings during the test program. First rate pilot landing in optimal conditions. No way they'd be able to do it if the carrier was rolling and pitching heavily.

And, a copy-cat was done on the tv show JAG, yet without a tail hook even. Credit was given at the end for the real landings.