RAAF C130 H Retirement ?

[Givelda]

I was just looking through some photos of the terrible flood situation in my old home town of Bundy on the local radio stations Facebook page and noticed one in a series of photos, of a RAAF C130H, A97-007 ostensibly being used for the support operations there.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=477060135664110&set=a.261694697200656.56516.258831707486955&type=1&relevant_count=1

Whilst obviously more concerned with the unfolding difficulties being experienced by those affected in the eastern states, as a minor point, I thought the H's" were retired in November last year.

Just wondering if the old work horses had in fact been retired and this a generic photo or have they been revived to "fight another day"?

[Bonniciwah]

I think whoever posted that pic just used any old Herc pic.
Had a look at the Defence website and all the pics featured J models - also I think the remaining H models had lost the camo and were dark grey.

[Like This - Do That]

All were retired last year, and a couple of H models were still in the classic cam pattern.

Although it's entirely possible that the camo H models hadn't flown for a little while ....:}

[Subversive1]

That photo was taken at Richmond some time ago. I am absolutely, positively certain and would bet my first-born on it.

[FoxtrotAlpha18]

No Hs in service now - just a few recent post-service check flights.

The two C-130s used at Bundy were Js.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Readers of this thread may be interested to know that another Hercules has been involved in Bundaberg relief operations. Lynden Air Cargo's Hercules N404LC has been operating several shuttles daily from Brisbane with supplies. This aeroplane is better known to us as the former Cargomasters' VH-CYO.

Rgds

[Trojan1981]

Indeed it did, for Adagold Aviation. Now it's back onto it's regular off-shore runs for Adagold.

[Old Fella]

Can guarantee no RAAF C130H would have been in Bundy this year. Attended the "End of an Era" send off to the type at the end of November when the last two operational aircraft flew their final flights prior to disposal.

[FoxtrotAlpha18]

Old Fella - 006 was doing check flights at RIC in mid Jan following sched maintenance.

Has now been put to bed pending US approval of gift/sale to Indons and onwards.

[Old Fella]

Thanks FA18. I do expect that most of the H models will be eventually going offshore and that they will be flown again. My point was that they were decommissioned from RAAF operational flights at the end of November. It is hard to believe that 34 years has passed since I was part of the ferry crew on 001 & 012.

[Romulus]

Giftedto Indonesia by a grateful Labor Govt for help received combating the boat people problem...

[FoxtrotAlpha18]

Between you and I...I doubt the Indon gifts will ever go ahead.

They're not getting the ones that still have usable hours on them - these are being reserved for possible sale (Philippines has been mentioned).

It's doubtful the Indons could afford to service the aircraft that need them let alone organise an MRO to do the work at RIC, and the US State Dept (ITAR) may not allow them to go anyway!

[VH-XXX]

They're not getting the ones that still have usable hours on them

Based on Western aviation standards.....