C-130s to get new shelters Published Nov. 10, 2011 By Jenny Gordon 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Construction of eight steel and fabric structures to house C-130 aircraft is now taking place on the flightline. The first phase will have three shelters completed by Dec. 21. All eight are scheduled for completed by summer 2012. Materials for the first two shelters, which have an estimated 20-year lifespan, were brought to the empty sites in late October. The steel structure for the shelters, which reaches a height of 56 feet, will sit on top of existing concrete with plates, secured by 156 bolts. The fabric top, made of heavy PVC, fungus-resistant material, can withstand more than 90-mph winds. Each will fully cover a C-130 with clearance for the wing tips, and will include 30 overhead lights, compressed air, electric and communications capabilities. The shelters will provide several advantages, notably protection from sun and rain for the aircraft and workers maintaining them. Cost of the eight shelters is about 6 percent of what a hard building would cost, according to Henry Scheuermann, 402nd Maintenance Group Facilities Engineering Section industrial engineer. There are already three existing shelters that were previously built to house C-130s undergoing routine maintenance. Fabritex Inc. of Hartwell, Ga., has been awarded the contract.