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Finally - word from my SAAF connections who obviously operate the same aircraft. He says:

"Vents for the cabin pressure outflow valve, to regulate the pressure between the aircraft interior and...

Pleased to read that you weren't on the ill-fated flight that crashed in ROC.

Please refer to these pictures I posted earlier.



And just to make sure that it's not a structural difference unique to the RNZAF's C-130's:
...

So am I. They are painted over what appears to be a vent (as per my examples in a previous post).

Unless they've deliberately painted penguins on it but whatever feature it is - it's on all C-130:

http://www.aeroporto.fvg.it/foto_ok/albums/GENERAL-AVIATION/2007_C130_KL_1.jpg
...

They do appear to be vents of some kind as other C-130's have them too. Weird, in all the years I've been plane spotting I've never noticed them before! :(

In the first picture, can anyone tell me what that series of markings on the starboard side of the C-130 represents? They look similar to the "kill" marks usually seen on combat aircraft.