Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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C-130 thread
Looking at my log book Albert has given me night stops in 102 different countries. Some have now gone, others swallowed by surrounding states, countries etc, but weren't we a privileged group.
I'm sure that this statement will be challenged, this being pprune, but that's what the log books tell me.
I'm sure that this statement will be challenged, this being pprune, but that's what the log books tell me.
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Perhaps another way of looking at it ...
How far North and South has RAF "Albert" been on Ops ... Clearly 51° 42′ S off a certain South American coastline is a given ... and we have Smudge, on this thread, up at 61° 0′ N (Fagernes Lufthavn) ... any advances North and South
How far North and South has RAF "Albert" been on Ops ... Clearly 51° 42′ S off a certain South American coastline is a given ... and we have Smudge, on this thread, up at 61° 0′ N (Fagernes Lufthavn) ... any advances North and South
OK chaps,
I'm having a look to find my most Northerly and Southerly. Meanwhile, a fairly poor shot of Kilimanjaro, through No3 prop. It's not great quality, but as I remember, neither was I when I took it.
A note, I suspect my most Northerly was Kirkenes, Norway. Although I'm sure we did land at Hammerfest as part of the Det.
Smudge
I'm having a look to find my most Northerly and Southerly. Meanwhile, a fairly poor shot of Kilimanjaro, through No3 prop. It's not great quality, but as I remember, neither was I when I took it.
A note, I suspect my most Northerly was Kirkenes, Norway. Although I'm sure we did land at Hammerfest as part of the Det.
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 3rd Jun 2014 at 17:56.
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So ...
70° 4′ N (Lakselv Airport, Banak Finland) takes RAF "Albert" further North but the Falklands still holding the Southern limit ...
I can hear the rustle of Brian's Mercator from here
70° 4′ N (Lakselv Airport, Banak Finland) takes RAF "Albert" further North but the Falklands still holding the Southern limit ...
I can hear the rustle of Brian's Mercator from here
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C-130 thread
Those of us privileged enough to have been on 48 Sqn in the Far East were very lucky to have been part of a truly globe trotting period in the history of RAF air transport.
Part of this globe trotting involved a crew from the Far East Air Force, a crew of which I was lucky enough to be a member.
The RAF were asked to open an airfield, as yet unused on an Atoll in the Pacific some miles northeast of Fiji in what is now known as Kiribati.
The planners thought this through and it was decided that a Herc stripped of all unnecessary kit was to fly the task with a second aircraft rigged for air drop to be based in Fiji with spare tyres and engineering support. We carried our own techies as this was long before G/E's.
The island airfield was planned with the view of opening up the area to trade and possible tourism.
Tabitewea as the airfield was then known had been built by a small team of British Army engineers. They arrived with their landing craft and off loaded all the kit required to clear, level, drag coral from the lagoon, grade and roll the very short strip.
Our arrival was more than a little exciting as the locals, and there were many, some having travelled a couple of days by canoe had never been introduced to any aspect of aviation so an aircraft was unknown, unseen by most and presented no danger. That was shortly to change. On our arrival they had no awareness of propellers, jet wash but were certainly terrified by the noise.
Tabitewea was governed by a council of male village elders, I think eleven in total and the elders together with a wonderful line of well proportioned young ladies sang and serenaded us as we shut down. The young ladies to cover their naked attributes were asked to wear ex army white vests as the elders had been briefed that the Brits were sensitive to nudity, damn shame I say.
I can see your bored eyes glazing over so I will post a couple of pics of the strip and then a few of the event.
Part of this globe trotting involved a crew from the Far East Air Force, a crew of which I was lucky enough to be a member.
The RAF were asked to open an airfield, as yet unused on an Atoll in the Pacific some miles northeast of Fiji in what is now known as Kiribati.
The planners thought this through and it was decided that a Herc stripped of all unnecessary kit was to fly the task with a second aircraft rigged for air drop to be based in Fiji with spare tyres and engineering support. We carried our own techies as this was long before G/E's.
The island airfield was planned with the view of opening up the area to trade and possible tourism.
Tabitewea as the airfield was then known had been built by a small team of British Army engineers. They arrived with their landing craft and off loaded all the kit required to clear, level, drag coral from the lagoon, grade and roll the very short strip.
Our arrival was more than a little exciting as the locals, and there were many, some having travelled a couple of days by canoe had never been introduced to any aspect of aviation so an aircraft was unknown, unseen by most and presented no danger. That was shortly to change. On our arrival they had no awareness of propellers, jet wash but were certainly terrified by the noise.
Tabitewea was governed by a council of male village elders, I think eleven in total and the elders together with a wonderful line of well proportioned young ladies sang and serenaded us as we shut down. The young ladies to cover their naked attributes were asked to wear ex army white vests as the elders had been briefed that the Brits were sensitive to nudity, damn shame I say.
I can see your bored eyes glazing over so I will post a couple of pics of the strip and then a few of the event.
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I went in to a a Greek Island once on an exercise with 47, the strip was tiny and it appeared we were the largest and most unusual visitor they had had.
Greek Monks came out to bless us and wish us well on our departure!!!!!!!
Greek Monks came out to bless us and wish us well on our departure!!!!!!!
Seconded Coff,
This is groundbreaking stuff in more than one respect, keep it going Upgently.
I can't find my records Coff, but I'm pretty sure that Kirkenes at 69 degrees 58 minutes North is the most northerly. I always believed that Adelaide at 34 degrees 43 Minutes South was my most southerly, so was surprised to find that my visits to the Falklands actually far "outsouthed" that. I never managed a global, so my furthest West was 149 degrees west at Eilson AFB I believe, whilst Eastwards the extent of my bungee was found to be Sydney at 152 degrees East. I spent 6 years as a Ground Eng on this beast and saw more of the world than I ever imagined I would. And somewhere I have a list of places I have been to. I'm sure most of the double tour GEs will have far exceeded my journeys. What a nice thread to follow, some old friends to banter with and some happy memories revived, keep them coming in chaps.
Meanwhile, this may bring a smile. An old Herk buddy of mine recently related this story;
As a group of up and coming young Air Engineers were testing each other's knowledge of the aircraft and its systems in the Sgts Mess one day, an old Master Engineer, lowered his newspaper and said, "Here's one that will make you think. You've just got airborne and the aircraft yaws violently left, you look up and there's a Green light on the overhead panel, what's the problem?". After a few minutes chat they all shrugged and asked him to tell them. "Well lads he says, you've left the Houchin connected". Thanks Tucker, I'll get my coat
Smudge
This is groundbreaking stuff in more than one respect, keep it going Upgently.
I can't find my records Coff, but I'm pretty sure that Kirkenes at 69 degrees 58 minutes North is the most northerly. I always believed that Adelaide at 34 degrees 43 Minutes South was my most southerly, so was surprised to find that my visits to the Falklands actually far "outsouthed" that. I never managed a global, so my furthest West was 149 degrees west at Eilson AFB I believe, whilst Eastwards the extent of my bungee was found to be Sydney at 152 degrees East. I spent 6 years as a Ground Eng on this beast and saw more of the world than I ever imagined I would. And somewhere I have a list of places I have been to. I'm sure most of the double tour GEs will have far exceeded my journeys. What a nice thread to follow, some old friends to banter with and some happy memories revived, keep them coming in chaps.
Meanwhile, this may bring a smile. An old Herk buddy of mine recently related this story;
As a group of up and coming young Air Engineers were testing each other's knowledge of the aircraft and its systems in the Sgts Mess one day, an old Master Engineer, lowered his newspaper and said, "Here's one that will make you think. You've just got airborne and the aircraft yaws violently left, you look up and there's a Green light on the overhead panel, what's the problem?". After a few minutes chat they all shrugged and asked him to tell them. "Well lads he says, you've left the Houchin connected". Thanks Tucker, I'll get my coat
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 3rd Jun 2014 at 22:10.
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Well played Smudge ... almost 70N
Now I wonder if RAF "Albert" ever ventured further south to Antarctica (say on BAS duties) ?
I do hope AA62 is able to locate his pics of the JATFOR stream forming up at Lyneham ... that must have been an awesome sight to behold.
Marvellous all these stories ...
Now I wonder if RAF "Albert" ever ventured further south to Antarctica (say on BAS duties) ?
I do hope AA62 is able to locate his pics of the JATFOR stream forming up at Lyneham ... that must have been an awesome sight to behold.
Marvellous all these stories ...
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Indeed it did venture to the Antarctic, not certain of the details but 30 Sqn supported the NZ base down there in the 1970s I believe. There are photos in the Sqn history room of the detachment including one captioned 'at the South Pole', but whether that was the actual Pole or referring to the continent I am uncertain. They did get to Scott Base, the NZ station in McMurdo Sound, as there are photographs of Albert with Mt Erebus in the background.
upgently,
my grandson went through my log book counting the countries. He gave up when he got to 100 ! Yes we were fortunate especially when compared to those serving today.
my grandson went through my log book counting the countries. He gave up when he got to 100 ! Yes we were fortunate especially when compared to those serving today.
Ref Landroger's astute remark on the 'conservatory ' up front. All those windows were a bit of a drawback in hot places. This is how our co dealt with the problem. The other option was blocking out the sun with maps.
It is of course why the 'K'had a sun hat in the first place.
Coffman,
I have indeed located my JATFOR pics and as I am trying to keep things in some semblance of chronological order they will be along in due course as will some others. As upgently, Brian and I have all enjoyed a tour on 48 'out east' I thought I would continue that theme for now. Worry not upgently the readership have survived my Mahe saga and I am sure everyone is enjoying your pics as much as I am. I have some to show of unusual places as well.
I have indeed located my JATFOR pics and as I am trying to keep things in some semblance of chronological order they will be along in due course as will some others. As upgently, Brian and I have all enjoyed a tour on 48 'out east' I thought I would continue that theme for now. Worry not upgently the readership have survived my Mahe saga and I am sure everyone is enjoying your pics as much as I am. I have some to show of unusual places as well.
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AA62 ... carry on old chap ... each day we are getting great new insights into RAF Alberts world travel log
I can sense the amount of loft rummaging that is going on behind the scenes here
Best ...
Coff.
I can sense the amount of loft rummaging that is going on behind the scenes here
Best ...
Coff.
