Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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Good morning all. Now where was I? Oh yes taxying into Tabitawea. There are a couple more in this sequence but as I can only cope with one photo at a time it will be a slow process.
Eat your heart out Terminal 5
Eat your heart out Terminal 5
Coff,
not just loft rummaging but memory rummaging too. When my grandson went through my log books he would ask where a certain place was and why we went there. The former was usually fairly easy, the latter not so. But each new post here triggers more long dormant memories.
not just loft rummaging but memory rummaging too. When my grandson went through my log books he would ask where a certain place was and why we went there. The former was usually fairly easy, the latter not so. But each new post here triggers more long dormant memories.
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AA62 ... if I may ... I'll bid "Bonriki International Airport South Tarawa GI" for your ID competition at post #239. If so ... things appear to have come on in leaps and bounds since you guys visited 
Tarawa
Coff.
Tarawa
Coff.
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If we are looking at the same Tarawa den there am bin some changes.
This was the terminal in our visits but alas on this occasion our thrust to more the aircraft forward sent the palm terminal backward.
This was the terminal in our visits but alas on this occasion our thrust to more the aircraft forward sent the palm terminal backward.
AA62, Just caught your post #236. Never mind the brolly, a complimentary pilot who has a book without pictures in it is indeed a thing of incredulity.
Upgently, cracking pictures Sir, and all in real Albert colours.
Awaiting JATFOR eagerly.
Smudge
Upgently, cracking pictures Sir, and all in real Albert colours.
Awaiting JATFOR eagerly.
Smudge
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This is a cracking thread, I just wish I'd been more 'camera active' during my time on Albert.
The furthest North I got was Thule and the furthest South MPA. East/West doesn't count for me since I managed a circumnavigation.
Smuj,
I was at Cosford last week and they still haven't got the prop orientation right on XV202!
The furthest North I got was Thule and the furthest South MPA. East/West doesn't count for me since I managed a circumnavigation.
Smuj,
I was at Cosford last week and they still haven't got the prop orientation right on XV202!
Ex Ascoteer,
Like you, I wish I had used my camera more, equally I wish I could remember where I put the photos and the records I did keep. I think though that I tended towards photographs of Crew and like me "hangers on", I suspect posting such may breach their rights to privacy in this age of the compensation culture. The Albert at Cosford I'm afraid is a sad indictment of political correctness overcoming historical accuracy. I did point out on my last visit that the No1 blade should be positioned at the top, ISTR something about the Beta feed back shaft and leaks (Perhaps someone of authority may know). The usual shrug followed with the explanation that, if we do that, a tall person might hit their heads on the lower blade. Makes you wonder how they still mange to get airborne in these dangerous things called aircraft
the last time I was there I hosted an old school pal, who I had not seen for some 43 years. He was amazed by Albert, "they don't look this big on TV" was mentioned. It's an impressive piece of kit, and perhaps being pedantic about how they choose to display it is crass on my behalf. At least they kept one.
Smudge
Like you, I wish I had used my camera more, equally I wish I could remember where I put the photos and the records I did keep. I think though that I tended towards photographs of Crew and like me "hangers on", I suspect posting such may breach their rights to privacy in this age of the compensation culture. The Albert at Cosford I'm afraid is a sad indictment of political correctness overcoming historical accuracy. I did point out on my last visit that the No1 blade should be positioned at the top, ISTR something about the Beta feed back shaft and leaks (Perhaps someone of authority may know). The usual shrug followed with the explanation that, if we do that, a tall person might hit their heads on the lower blade. Makes you wonder how they still mange to get airborne in these dangerous things called aircraft
the last time I was there I hosted an old school pal, who I had not seen for some 43 years. He was amazed by Albert, "they don't look this big on TV" was mentioned. It's an impressive piece of kit, and perhaps being pedantic about how they choose to display it is crass on my behalf. At least they kept one.Smudge
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It's not being crass Smuj, it's being right!
What is crass is the fact they can have a Belslow, a Whistling Tit and an Andover inside, but poor old Albert has to sit outside (along with some other types I've flown).
Thread drift. Sorry!
What is crass is the fact they can have a Belslow, a Whistling Tit and an Andover inside, but poor old Albert has to sit outside (along with some other types I've flown).
Thread drift. Sorry!
Furthest N and S
I concur with DD and ExA that Thule must be the furthest North, I also was there on 21/22 April 1975 being screened by the great John Stap****. As the inestimable Wiki has it is the United States Air Force's northernmost base, located 1,207 km (750 mi) north of the Arctic Circle and 1,524 km (947 mi) from the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately 885 km (550 mi) east of the North Magnetic Pole. However, Svalbard Longyearben does trump being another 2 degrees north.
In the bad old days we used to do Thule Trainers which made the Nav work for his keep using GiroNavigation (True +Variation = Magnetic, Magnetic + grivation = Grid or some such). As we only went there in the Spring and Summer months the other trick was to avoid drinking until the sun set and go to bed some time before then.
As to going S, we did take part in Operation Deep Freeze mounting from NZ into Antarctica. It must have been about 1972/3 when Scotty R******** took a 36 Sqn crew. Unfortunately, I was not part of it so can give no details but Scotty, if he is on line, could fill us all in.
Separately, there are some 1312 Flt crews who were tasked from either Stanley or MPN to do aeromeds out of the Chilean base at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Aerodrome, ICAO Code SCRM on George Island at
62°11'27"S 58°59'12"W. Again I have no details.
We did also do recce round the South Sandwich Islands
(where we did not land) but would start low level at about
60 S and 27 W which always seemed more than somewhat
remote even if not the furthest S.
In the bad old days we used to do Thule Trainers which made the Nav work for his keep using GiroNavigation (True +Variation = Magnetic, Magnetic + grivation = Grid or some such). As we only went there in the Spring and Summer months the other trick was to avoid drinking until the sun set and go to bed some time before then.
As to going S, we did take part in Operation Deep Freeze mounting from NZ into Antarctica. It must have been about 1972/3 when Scotty R******** took a 36 Sqn crew. Unfortunately, I was not part of it so can give no details but Scotty, if he is on line, could fill us all in.
Separately, there are some 1312 Flt crews who were tasked from either Stanley or MPN to do aeromeds out of the Chilean base at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Aerodrome, ICAO Code SCRM on George Island at
62°11'27"S 58°59'12"W. Again I have no details.
We did also do recce round the South Sandwich Islands
(where we did not land) but would start low level at about
60 S and 27 W which always seemed more than somewhat
remote even if not the furthest S.
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Ah yes, the 1312 Flt South Sandwich Extension; having airdropped at Grytviken (Harness Packs) on the way down.
The Grytviken drop was always 'interesting' shall we say!
The Grytviken drop was always 'interesting' shall we say!
Coffman,
I think you may well be right, Bonriki is in my log book. I recall that the terminal was more like upgently remembers than the current one.
I also have a dim recollection of landing on a strip somewhere in the South Pacific and having to refuel with one engine running as the GTC was u/s. It may even have been Bonriki. I am still finding pics but am still missing a box of mainly airdrop and AAR pics which I fear has gone forever.
I think you may well be right, Bonriki is in my log book. I recall that the terminal was more like upgently remembers than the current one.
I also have a dim recollection of landing on a strip somewhere in the South Pacific and having to refuel with one engine running as the GTC was u/s. It may even have been Bonriki. I am still finding pics but am still missing a box of mainly airdrop and AAR pics which I fear has gone forever.
ExA,
I agree on the outside bit, although, it's present parking position makes Albert very conspicuous, and does draw a crowd. Of course, being outside shows the more manly side of the aircraft, only wimps live in hangars.
AA62,
Looks like some speed taping going on around the life raft hatches, or even the handles. The Life raft handle access hole was covered in a doped fabric designed to allow easy access by punching through it. I have certainly had the patches come adrift in flight, and if I recall you get a drumming noise from the airflow. A simple fix would be to speed tape the access hole, which is possibly what is happening.
Smudge
I agree on the outside bit, although, it's present parking position makes Albert very conspicuous, and does draw a crowd. Of course, being outside shows the more manly side of the aircraft, only wimps live in hangars.
AA62,
Looks like some speed taping going on around the life raft hatches, or even the handles. The Life raft handle access hole was covered in a doped fabric designed to allow easy access by punching through it. I have certainly had the patches come adrift in flight, and if I recall you get a drumming noise from the airflow. A simple fix would be to speed tape the access hole, which is possibly what is happening.
Smudge
smudge,
we had lots of problems with the liferaft hatches. The main problem was that our MS26 was larger than the USAF equivalent. I seem to recall one coming out in flight. The problem was exacerbated when the MS 33 was shoehorned into the the MS 26 receptacles. I attended two demos of the MS33 being launched from the wing of a Mk 3 and both times it just lay on the wing belching like a beached whale. Thank god we never had to attempt to launch it for real.
we had lots of problems with the liferaft hatches. The main problem was that our MS26 was larger than the USAF equivalent. I seem to recall one coming out in flight. The problem was exacerbated when the MS 33 was shoehorned into the the MS 26 receptacles. I attended two demos of the MS33 being launched from the wing of a Mk 3 and both times it just lay on the wing belching like a beached whale. Thank god we never had to attempt to launch it for real.
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Hope you guys don't mind ... but I was motivated to find out a little more around Ops out of RAF Changi and came across this little gem on the InterWeb from the "Movers" Association talking about Exercise Bersatu Padu in the early 70's involving 47, 30 and 48 Squadrons. Apologies if you have already seen it before ... but thought it was a good fit with the unfolding story on this thread
UKMAMS : The RAF Can Deliver The Goods
Exercise Bersatu Padu
There is also a fascinating history of RAF Changi here ...
UKMAMS Association HomePage
UKMAMS
UKMAMS Photo Page
PS. Upgently ... Another pic of XV176 on Operation Agila (Rhodesia) ... with/without "Battle Damage" ... Looks like the complete RAF Lyneham Detachment.
Hercules 176 Op Agila
Best ...
Coff.
UKMAMS : The RAF Can Deliver The Goods
Exercise Bersatu Padu
There is also a fascinating history of RAF Changi here ...
UKMAMS Association HomePage
UKMAMS
UKMAMS Photo Page
PS. Upgently ... Another pic of XV176 on Operation Agila (Rhodesia) ... with/without "Battle Damage" ... Looks like the complete RAF Lyneham Detachment.
Hercules 176 Op Agila
Best ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 5th Jun 2014 at 09:45.