Js to Brize (?)

[Confucius]

At the time I left Lyneham the Js were due to "move to BZN by the end of 2006". Have there been any more hangar parties to confirm/move this date? Just curious as to where a few mates may be in the near/mid future.

Also, with the number of Ks (sadly) diminishing, is there any updated info as to their lifespan before being replaced by the '400, and where they may be based if they serve beyond their 45th birthday?

[Jackonicko]

"Unfortunately, the Special Forces C.Mk 1s actually need to serve longer than any other first generation RAF C-130s, since the A400M will be cleared for standard tactical and strategic transport duties before it is able to take on a Special Forces commitment, leading to an extended OSD of 2018 for these aircraft.

Three of the C.Mk 1s were fitted with replacement K-model outer wing sets using RAF assets, while the remainder received H-model outer wings that were less affected by high FI consumption rates. This cleared XV179 and XV196 to serve until 2010, and the remainder (XV200, 205, 206 and 295) until 2018. This left two of the aircraft “unable to reach the extended OSD”, and alternative options were examined. New production wingsets were unavailable, however, and the use of C.Mk 3 aircraft (or their wings) only promised an OSD extension until 2014 and 2016 for XV179 and 196 or their replacement C.Mk 3s. The loss of XV179 in Iraq will only add to the load on the remaining aircraft.

The C.Mk 1 remains the aircraft of choice for certain types of operation - it has better short/rough-field performance compared the C.Mk 3, and the aircraft are still better equipped than the C.Mk 3As. Because of this, the C.Mk 1s are not offered to the DTMA for general tasking, leaving them free for use on Operations. It was briefly thought that the former W.Mk 2, XV208, would be converted to replace the C.Mk 1 lost in Iraq, but in the event this aircraft is becoming an engine testbed for the A400M, and it seems likely that a 'vanilla' C.Mk 3 will be converted to C.Mk 3A standards.

Wing replacement on the C.Mk 3s and C.Mk 3As will mean that one aircraft will reach the end of its life in 2008 (XV214), another in 2010 (XV184), three in 2011 (XV197, 202, and 303), nine in 2012 (XV209, 212, 217, 220, 290, 294, 301, 305 and 307), and four in 2013 (XV177, 188, 199, and 221). The two survivors (XV304 and 299) will last until 2014 and 2016.

If further A400M delays force the Hercules to serve longer, it might be possible to ignore the 'FI backstop' figure and to monitor FI accumulation by inspection, though this would not be without risk."

[glum]

Providing the entire Air Force hasn't PVR'd by then of course!

I guess it depends how long we spend trashing them on the desert strips, and if the good General gets us pulled out of Iraq soon, they may see their lives out without putting the crew and pax in too much danger of fatigue failures...

[Wycombe]

Wow, wasn't 177 the first Albert delivered to the RAF (albeit as Mk.1) back in about 1967. That puts it's in-service life at something like 45 years.