Hercules Convoy

[M!KE]

I just saw a large convoy of Hercules aircraft (all in grey livery) flying over the West Midlands (approx 3.00pm).

The aircraft were flying in two groups of 5, all except 1 looked to be C130J's (one was noticably shorter). Although to be honest I am just guessing at the variants.

Just curious as to the reason for such a large movement of aircraft.

M!KE

[phoenix son]

There was due to be an exercise involving a large amount of paradropping around about now (I think 15 C-130's were mentioned), I don't have the details here at work but I wonder if this could be what you saw?

Incidentally there are 2 variants of C-130J's, known as C4's and C5's in RAF service, although I forget which is the standard length aircraft and which is the "stretched" version (I suspect C4 and C5 in that order...)

PHX

[Gainesy]

Probably to do with Exercise Eagle Eye, 16 Air Assault Brigade in south-west jockistan.

[phoenix son]

That's the one I was thinking of, the name rings a bell now...

PHX

[M!KE]

Thanks for the replies folks. It was unusual to see this many aircraft all together.

M!KE

[ZH875]

Incidentally there are 2 variants of C-130J's, known as C4's and C5's in RAF service, although I forget which is the standard length aircraft and which is the "stretched" version (I suspect C4 and C5 in that order...)
The C4 is the 'Stretched' Herc J and the C5 is the 'short' J, The opposite way to the C-130K which the C1 is a 'Short' K and C3 is the 'Stretched' K.

[KPax]

6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac in the far north. What more can I say

[BEagle]

I think it was around 1971 when I went flying as a UAS APO on one of those JATFOR formation meat-bombing trips on EX. CHAMPION HURDLE. We were number 33 out of 36 Hercs in the formation stream...

And now, 33 years later, the RAF manages.........12.

There's progress for you.

:rolleyes:

[LXXIV]

Ah, happy days Beagle, 42 number three engines starting simultaneously on the pan at Lyneham at the start of the exercise, 37 plus spare aircraft. An awesome sight and great to be a part of it. Despite the spacing on take off, by the time the aircraft in the 'teens were getting airborne in the turbulence from the leaders, there were some exciting sights.

[airborne_artist]

6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac

Airborne - the way real soldiers arrive.

Saves time at the baggage reclaim as well.

[ZH875]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac
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Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.

[BEagle]

LXXIV - yes, the cloud of brown smoke which rose majestically over Rompers Green on the day start up was quite spectacular! I watched the start and take-off, then we raced off to the DZ to watch the meat bombing. Then the next formation was the night one - the one I was on. Interestingly as we ran in from Trevose Head we went via Merryfield and I was close enough to home to wave!

[Now a 'J' Bloke!!]

Hi Gang;

quote.....

Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.

endquote.....

Now who is trying to ignite things???:sad:

without your sort 'J' & 'K' get on quite well together.:ok:

Select neck switch to 'wind'.:mad:

Regards to Most
SFS :cool:

[7FF]

Ahhhhhh we all remember the great sights, especially when we became VMC on top following an IMC penetration. Now who was in front!!!

[Razor61]

Should of been 11 Hercs but obviously 12
Ex Eagles eye at West Freugh airfield should of been the destination.

The helos have been doing a bit of moving at Westhill farm on 'the plain' beforehand, and at keevil and south cerney, and the second half the Ex should be up in the borders, otterburn and West freugh ect.

They did a nice airfield assault at Kemble this week, 10 chinooks, a few merlins etc.

Razor

[elderforest]

It's going to be tough to find an airfield to assault soon !

:=

[Gainesy]

Not a problem. In a few years there won't be enough troops to take a farm strip.:( :mad:

[I_stood_in_the_door]

792 airborne troops - and some wedge.

4 x stores platforms.

Britains finest shock troops, all onto a sodden bog mit jockland.

Golly, 12 hercs. Hardly rattle the ornaments on the mantlepeice nowadays! Guess that left a few 'spares' (broken ones) on the pan at the secret airbase in wiltshire soon to close down (give a decade or two).

LFOGOOTFW

ISITD




:}

[shaky]

My logbook shows the big JATFOR formations took place in July 1972.
I had to dig deep into the loft to find the old logbook but it iwas interesting to see that the big formation trips were preceeded by a route trip Lyneham - Bermuda - Nassau - Freeport - Belize -Montego Bay - Barbados - Lages - Lyneham and followed by Lyneham - Gander - Offut - McClellon - Hickam - Wake - Guam - Changi - Gan - Bahrain - Lyneham.
How things have changed.

[ZH875]

J Bloke

quote.....

Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.

endquote.....

This wasn't an attempt to ignite anything, Just that it was nice to see a formation of J's. During my time on the aircraft, there were a 'few' hangar queens, and a pile in the bottom of J1 known as 889. Just glad to know the situation has improved.

[Now a 'J' Bloke!!]

875....

I was flying in 889 the other day...:O

Twas a queen of the skies...not the hangar.:ok:

Ask the K boys about 205 though...:mad:

Regards to Most.
SFS:cool:

[Boy_From_Brazil]

Any guesses on when, if ever, the RAF will use its C17s in a tactical role? The Yanks have already proved its capability, and I know the British Army would love to use it in the para-drop role.

BFB

[ZH875]

J Bloke

:ok:

[KPax]

Why does the 'K' carry more Paras than the 'J'. This is not an attempt to ignite anything just a question.

[T_Handle]

Caveat - NOT K/J bating - just info!

K Pax

It all depends on the Mk.

The J is actually cleared, and regularly drops more troops than the K.
J = 90 troops and wedge/door bundles
K= 88 troops and wedge/door bundles

However the shortie Js are not cleared simultaneous paras out of both doors yet - as no one asked for it to be cleared in the shorties, just the stretched!!!!

The J tends to specialise in para drops and hence in total drops more where as the K tends to be the equipment drop platforms too.

Nice too see that many hercs playing in the Jockistan skies together.

And beags we may get more together one day when the Lords and masters stop sending us to fight wars all the time. Bring back the Cold War and 36 ship practice formations..... it's a lot safer!!!

T:\

[juliet]

use 17's for tactical drop? why? we dont even use hercs for tactical drop. we have four jets that are maxing out their contract, can you imagine adding on the requirement to train for low level aerial delivery! the americans can do it cause they have a fleet more than 30 time the size of ours. maybe if we matched that we could provide the hours to keep crews up on their tac quals.