Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
aeroid,
the Emerald Beach it usually was. We would consume the 'Santa Maria Squash', well chilled from being in the cargo door, on the beach !
Smudge tarry not with thy tale of the Co and the Fulton System.
the Emerald Beach it usually was. We would consume the 'Santa Maria Squash', well chilled from being in the cargo door, on the beach !
Smudge tarry not with thy tale of the Co and the Fulton System.
G/E Det Nassau
Way back in the mists of old times we had a G/E detached to Nassau for a month at a time to help cover the Belize run which initially involved staying in a Hotel with taxis to and from the airport as required. Representation was made to the bean counters that this was not only expensive but if needed in a hurry trying to find a taxi in say the early hours of the morning could be difficult resulting in the G/E not getting to the airport as quickly as possible.
After a lot of toing and froing, including claims that the G/E might enjoy himself too much if an apartment and hire car were provided, financial sense ruled the day and such accommodation was arranged, this of course was the prime reason for raising this problem, the G/Es section being interested only in saving the Air Force money!!The system worked well, everybody was happy apart from me as it was cancelled the month before it was my turn as being surplus to requirements as the Det G/E wasn't having enough to do.
Memories of the Emerald beach include Wallbanger mix in the washbasin if a small crew or in the bath if a bigger crew, funny how there was never any left! That and losing a pair of sunglasses whilst out sailing one of the hotels Hobie catamarans. That was on a three day tech delay for a turbine overheat keyer unit U/S, we had to wait for one to come from Southern in Miami who wouldn't send it until the RAF paid for the last spares they had supplied, so we had to sit and wait while Upavon argued with Miami, it was hell!
After a lot of toing and froing, including claims that the G/E might enjoy himself too much if an apartment and hire car were provided, financial sense ruled the day and such accommodation was arranged, this of course was the prime reason for raising this problem, the G/Es section being interested only in saving the Air Force money!!The system worked well, everybody was happy apart from me as it was cancelled the month before it was my turn as being surplus to requirements as the Det G/E wasn't having enough to do.
Memories of the Emerald beach include Wallbanger mix in the washbasin if a small crew or in the bath if a bigger crew, funny how there was never any left! That and losing a pair of sunglasses whilst out sailing one of the hotels Hobie catamarans. That was on a three day tech delay for a turbine overheat keyer unit U/S, we had to wait for one to come from Southern in Miami who wouldn't send it until the RAF paid for the last spares they had supplied, so we had to sit and wait while Upavon argued with Miami, it was hell!
The Fulton Recovery
Between 19 August 94 and 11 September 94 Ascot 4792 (XV300) operated by a 47 SF Flight crew, deployed to support two exercises in the USA. One at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with 21 SAS and the other at 29 Palms, California with 22 SAS. Curiously our captain was the very chap mentioned by Gopher 01 previously as being recently acknowledged for his ability. I was one of the two Ground Engineers deployed with the aircraft, and crikey, was it a trip. Before the duo exercise support was commenced, we enjoyed an exchange visit with 8th SOS at Hurlbert field, who had the proud boast of dropping the worlds biggest conventional bomb, I think, the "Daisy cutter", we were given a great welcome and after a few drinks at the arrival barbie, a guided tour of their aircraft (they operated several versions of Albert including the AC130H and the MC130E Combat Talon). Our Co pilot was particularly interested in the latter which had the Fulton Recovery system fitted, though I believe at this time was defunct. We spent around 6 days there, both flying and socialising with some great fellow Albert operators. My main memory was the hole in one I managed during the golf "tournament", but flukes are not part of this story. It was arranged that our Co would get his wish to experience a Fulton recovery, and on the day before our departure for 29 Palms we headed to sea.
As I had it explained, many USAF and other military benefitted from being given boats and aircraft confiscated from drug smugglers, 8th SOS had a very powerful motor launch on which we set sail, and I was allocated to be the driver, so much for common sense, I had never driven a boat in my life. As we approached a small wooden jetty, to collect the wives of our hosting crew, it was obvious that my abilities as a boat driver were definitely limited. Thankfully the ladies ran away as I demolished their jetty. Having been replaced as steersman, and given a handful of Jim Beam and Coke, the ladies were boarded and we set off for a location just off Fort Walton beach. The game was afoot.
Fulton gear deployed
As we cruised toward the briefed point at sea, our Co Pilot was dressed in the Fulton suit and positioned on the bow of the boat, after which a "balloon", just like in the James Bond film, was attached to his harness and deployed a few hundred feet above us. As this was happening, the OC 8th SOS was in radio contact with the intended recovery aircraft. All the effects were there, location calls, identifying the target and a countdown to the actual hook up. I can't fault the Co pilot in his bravery at even thinking of doing that mental manoeuvre, but, as the aircraft flew in, we all thought we might be asking for a new Co soon. Of course, the whole thing was a wind up, as the recovery aircraft overflew to one side, a foot in the back of our Co pilot put him in the water, and I'm sure, we all breathed a sigh of relief. No doubt this was a well practised spoof by 8th SOS, but I'm damn sure we all thought it was about to happen. To this day I am full of admiration for the fact that the Co was quite happy to "have a go". Our Co at the time posts on PPRUNE so, if he reads this it might bring back a memory or two. The rest of the exercise went very well, transiting between Kentucky and California burned off some 110 hours or so, with some exhilarating low level flying, including a 2 hour NVG trip up the Mississippi river. Those were the days, or would it be daze?
Smudge
As I had it explained, many USAF and other military benefitted from being given boats and aircraft confiscated from drug smugglers, 8th SOS had a very powerful motor launch on which we set sail, and I was allocated to be the driver, so much for common sense, I had never driven a boat in my life. As we approached a small wooden jetty, to collect the wives of our hosting crew, it was obvious that my abilities as a boat driver were definitely limited. Thankfully the ladies ran away as I demolished their jetty. Having been replaced as steersman, and given a handful of Jim Beam and Coke, the ladies were boarded and we set off for a location just off Fort Walton beach. The game was afoot.
Fulton gear deployed
As we cruised toward the briefed point at sea, our Co Pilot was dressed in the Fulton suit and positioned on the bow of the boat, after which a "balloon", just like in the James Bond film, was attached to his harness and deployed a few hundred feet above us. As this was happening, the OC 8th SOS was in radio contact with the intended recovery aircraft. All the effects were there, location calls, identifying the target and a countdown to the actual hook up. I can't fault the Co pilot in his bravery at even thinking of doing that mental manoeuvre, but, as the aircraft flew in, we all thought we might be asking for a new Co soon. Of course, the whole thing was a wind up, as the recovery aircraft overflew to one side, a foot in the back of our Co pilot put him in the water, and I'm sure, we all breathed a sigh of relief. No doubt this was a well practised spoof by 8th SOS, but I'm damn sure we all thought it was about to happen. To this day I am full of admiration for the fact that the Co was quite happy to "have a go". Our Co at the time posts on PPRUNE so, if he reads this it might bring back a memory or two. The rest of the exercise went very well, transiting between Kentucky and California burned off some 110 hours or so, with some exhilarating low level flying, including a 2 hour NVG trip up the Mississippi river. Those were the days, or would it be daze?
Smudge
smudge,
great story. It always seemed to be the co pilot involved in these japes. Remember marking the nosewheels to see who would end up buying the beer ? Amazing number of times the co lucked out !
great story. It always seemed to be the co pilot involved in these japes. Remember marking the nosewheels to see who would end up buying the beer ? Amazing number of times the co lucked out !
AA62,
I think the Co pilots demise with the nose wheel trick was more to do with the rotatable hub caps
ISTR we put our names around the hub cap and the one at the bottom bought a round of drinks. As the GE, when the challenge was on, it was usually my job to rotate the Co to the bottom, as I could not be seen from the Flt Deck, and the often suspicious Co. The ALM was also often required to remain in view until the Co got to check the losing name. You are correct, it was often his own.
Smudge
I think the Co pilots demise with the nose wheel trick was more to do with the rotatable hub caps
ISTR we put our names around the hub cap and the one at the bottom bought a round of drinks. As the GE, when the challenge was on, it was usually my job to rotate the Co to the bottom, as I could not be seen from the Flt Deck, and the often suspicious Co. The ALM was also often required to remain in view until the Co got to check the losing name. You are correct, it was often his own.Smudge
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Memories are made of this!
I found this site completely by accident a few days ago. I had googled “Andover Fuel Tanks” and ended up looking at a nice photograph courtesy of "AA".
Now I was hooked, I spent the next few days skimming through 138 pages of anecdotes and stories which covered the best 13 years of my career. I saw references to people that I had known, some great, some not so, places I had been to and incidents that I had taken part in.
I left the Hercules fleet with great regret in 1992 and the RAF with great relief in 2003.
Until this forum jogged my memory I did not miss a thing, I now know that I do! Great Days.
Nice to see my old boss and friend "AA" sharing his vast knowledge of the C130 with others, his memory and recall is phenomenal, and his photo collection amazing, did he ever do any work? We hope you and Bevvers are both well.
Now I was hooked, I spent the next few days skimming through 138 pages of anecdotes and stories which covered the best 13 years of my career. I saw references to people that I had known, some great, some not so, places I had been to and incidents that I had taken part in.
I left the Hercules fleet with great regret in 1992 and the RAF with great relief in 2003.
Until this forum jogged my memory I did not miss a thing, I now know that I do! Great Days.
Nice to see my old boss and friend "AA" sharing his vast knowledge of the C130 with others, his memory and recall is phenomenal, and his photo collection amazing, did he ever do any work? We hope you and Bevvers are both well.
John Lambert RIP
I have been informed that John Lambert has just passed away.
John was a co-pilot on 5 course ( I think ) then posted to 24 at Lyneham. Following his captain course he joined 30 as a captain in 1971. An exceptional pilot, probably not what Flt Cdrs' dreams were made off!
He took his 8year option in '73 and joined Britannia Airways based in Birmingham. IIRC he had a spell with Kuwait before joining Royal Air Maroc as a skipper.
Sadly he suffered a motor cycle accident c1981, no he wasn't speeding, just had the misfortune to hit a pothole while stooging around house-hunting in Devon. He was severally injured and spent the rest of his life as a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.
Funeral is on April 10th, PM for details.
RIP John.
John was a co-pilot on 5 course ( I think ) then posted to 24 at Lyneham. Following his captain course he joined 30 as a captain in 1971. An exceptional pilot, probably not what Flt Cdrs' dreams were made off!
He took his 8year option in '73 and joined Britannia Airways based in Birmingham. IIRC he had a spell with Kuwait before joining Royal Air Maroc as a skipper.
Sadly he suffered a motor cycle accident c1981, no he wasn't speeding, just had the misfortune to hit a pothole while stooging around house-hunting in Devon. He was severally injured and spent the rest of his life as a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.
Funeral is on April 10th, PM for details.
RIP John.
Brian,
Sad news indeed. I'm sure we all would send our sympathy and hopes for Johns family and close friends. The loss of a colleague is always bad news.
Alcazares48,
Glad you have found us, and your memories and opinions are more than welcome to a thread dedicated to the the aircraft, people and the operations it was involved in. Have no fear of your own reminiscenses, I bet you have a story or two to tell.
Smudge
Sad news indeed. I'm sure we all would send our sympathy and hopes for Johns family and close friends. The loss of a colleague is always bad news.
Alcazares48,
Glad you have found us, and your memories and opinions are more than welcome to a thread dedicated to the the aircraft, people and the operations it was involved in. Have no fear of your own reminiscenses, I bet you have a story or two to tell.
Smudge
Alcazares48,
welcome to the forum ! We obviously know each other very well !
Apart from struggling with a bout of the seasonal lurgi we are both well.
Perhaps you could send me a PM if you wish to be 'outed' in private.
Now you have found this site perhaps you could share your stories and pics with us.
welcome to the forum ! We obviously know each other very well !
Apart from struggling with a bout of the seasonal lurgi we are both well.
Perhaps you could send me a PM if you wish to be 'outed' in private.
Now you have found this site perhaps you could share your stories and pics with us.
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Alcazares48 ...
Welcome
We can help you out with posting any pics you might have. Drop me a PM with your eMail address and I'll gladly send you a Cheat Sheet
Best ...
Coff.
Welcome
We can help you out with posting any pics you might have. Drop me a PM with your eMail address and I'll gladly send you a Cheat Sheet
Best ...
Coff.
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Let´s get this started then!
Signing up to this forum with trepidation it feels like my first day on my new squadron as a newly qualified Loady. Or first day at school, everyone else knew each other from way back when, the place oozed experience and knowledge.
Tales of JATFOR and the Changi slip, Colerne and Fairford, and the New Hebrides conflict was in full flow, everything was passing me by.
At first I thought that maybe I had nothing of interest to contribute to this forum, but flicking through my log books, a few stories come to mind.
But likewise some names stare out at me from the page and mean absolutely nothing.
I have read this thread from start to finish and I can now see why my log books should be permanently at the side of this computer!
Thanks for the welcome AA62, Coff and Smuj.
I dont want to embarrass AA62 but he was the best boss one could hope for and was a great help at three critical periods of my life.
Two great men previously mentioned on here: S** V***e (or Nice Mr V**** as we called him) did an unofficial fly past for my wedding, while Bert D*****d was my best man and terrorised my Mum.
Meanwhile Nav leader P*** K***p saved the day by tracking down the florist when we forgot to collect the flowers. Then my bride´s vintage car breaks down by the garage in Lyneham village!
AA62 do you remember all this?
The sad thing is hearing of those no longer with us, Barry Nunn my first Squadron commander who was my captain on the OCU, Sqn Ldr John Bell was also on that course. Mick Doggart was a very supportive Flight Commander.
Smuj did you get any replies re the dinghy over Canada? I was on the call out.
Tales of JATFOR and the Changi slip, Colerne and Fairford, and the New Hebrides conflict was in full flow, everything was passing me by.
At first I thought that maybe I had nothing of interest to contribute to this forum, but flicking through my log books, a few stories come to mind.
But likewise some names stare out at me from the page and mean absolutely nothing.
I have read this thread from start to finish and I can now see why my log books should be permanently at the side of this computer!
Thanks for the welcome AA62, Coff and Smuj.
I dont want to embarrass AA62 but he was the best boss one could hope for and was a great help at three critical periods of my life.
Two great men previously mentioned on here: S** V***e (or Nice Mr V**** as we called him) did an unofficial fly past for my wedding, while Bert D*****d was my best man and terrorised my Mum.
Meanwhile Nav leader P*** K***p saved the day by tracking down the florist when we forgot to collect the flowers. Then my bride´s vintage car breaks down by the garage in Lyneham village!
AA62 do you remember all this?
The sad thing is hearing of those no longer with us, Barry Nunn my first Squadron commander who was my captain on the OCU, Sqn Ldr John Bell was also on that course. Mick Doggart was a very supportive Flight Commander.
Smuj did you get any replies re the dinghy over Canada? I was on the call out.
Whilst we await Alcazares, perhaps we could compare notes on the "places" most favoured. I would kick off by suggesting Penang in Malaysia as my favourite place for a couple of days. The Shangri La hotel, with the option of a transfer to the sister Golden Sands if you had enough time on the ground, was always a joy. The food from the street vendors was always good, and the people, I always found to be friendly and helpful. I know a few of our posters are old enough
to have done a tour on an overseas based Albert Squadron, and what a treat the likes of 48 must have been, but, from the point of view of someone who never had that chance, my time as an AGE gave me the only opportunity to see what was left of that world. I'm looking for favourite haunts of Ascoteers I suppose, on routes from Lyneham, not as Far East tourists. I bet some prefer west to east.
Smudge
to have done a tour on an overseas based Albert Squadron, and what a treat the likes of 48 must have been, but, from the point of view of someone who never had that chance, my time as an AGE gave me the only opportunity to see what was left of that world. I'm looking for favourite haunts of Ascoteers I suppose, on routes from Lyneham, not as Far East tourists. I bet some prefer west to east.Smudge
Alcazaras48,
you have a PM.
you have a PM.
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I was a bit worried that we may drop off the first page. So here goes with the article on Snoopy.
My interest in this goes back to my last years at school seeing it being built at Marshall. In the 80s I got involved in a bit of design work to upgrade the secure comms. I visited Farnborough several times and still have Gibbs Business card. I remember the Mods Ctee mtg to clear my modification and went though the check list, Restraint OK, Did you wish to check my stress calcs, Weight and Moment, EMC and Tempest, Spares, Flight Test, DA approvals, Air Pubs etc. etc. One of the other modifications on the agenda was painting a chicken on the side. never heard so much discussion over politics, who was paying, it was an RAF A/c not belonging to the Met Office FFS give me a tin of Humbrol enamel and I will pop out and do it whilst you lot argue the toss. The Design Authority wanted to charge a fortune for a Cover Mod and drawings. I think it did get done in the end. I had previously done some artwork on aircraft, painting red gooses on the dorsal dielectric panels on a big hemp aircraft we had at Wyton. A tin of Post Office Red, a bit of white and light sea grey. I think the chief Dopy was on leave or posted at the time.
Years later I became involved again in Snoopy when Boscombe (Not sure if it was DERA or Q2 at the time) had bought the aircraft for £1. I think The Herc IPT had retained some Type Airworthiness Authority status. We were short of Ks and started to lay plans for flat flooring the aircraft, putting the cloud and clunk back on the nose and using the aircraft for Airdrop and parachute trials. This never came off. It was good to see the airframe used for A400M engine development. The aircraft was sat in quite a sorry state at Cambridge last year.
I think the aircraft has been discussed on this forum previously. Genghis is the expert. He posted some links to the Met Office historical stuff. The barbers pole is at Exeter he tells me. I remember Harry telling me how they went through nose undercarriages.
My interest in this goes back to my last years at school seeing it being built at Marshall. In the 80s I got involved in a bit of design work to upgrade the secure comms. I visited Farnborough several times and still have Gibbs Business card. I remember the Mods Ctee mtg to clear my modification and went though the check list, Restraint OK, Did you wish to check my stress calcs, Weight and Moment, EMC and Tempest, Spares, Flight Test, DA approvals, Air Pubs etc. etc. One of the other modifications on the agenda was painting a chicken on the side. never heard so much discussion over politics, who was paying, it was an RAF A/c not belonging to the Met Office FFS give me a tin of Humbrol enamel and I will pop out and do it whilst you lot argue the toss. The Design Authority wanted to charge a fortune for a Cover Mod and drawings. I think it did get done in the end. I had previously done some artwork on aircraft, painting red gooses on the dorsal dielectric panels on a big hemp aircraft we had at Wyton. A tin of Post Office Red, a bit of white and light sea grey. I think the chief Dopy was on leave or posted at the time.
Years later I became involved again in Snoopy when Boscombe (Not sure if it was DERA or Q2 at the time) had bought the aircraft for £1. I think The Herc IPT had retained some Type Airworthiness Authority status. We were short of Ks and started to lay plans for flat flooring the aircraft, putting the cloud and clunk back on the nose and using the aircraft for Airdrop and parachute trials. This never came off. It was good to see the airframe used for A400M engine development. The aircraft was sat in quite a sorry state at Cambridge last year.
I think the aircraft has been discussed on this forum previously. Genghis is the expert. He posted some links to the Met Office historical stuff. The barbers pole is at Exeter he tells me. I remember Harry telling me how they went through nose undercarriages.
Dragartist,
illuminating as usual thank you. Is there no end to your expertise ?
illuminating as usual thank you. Is there no end to your expertise ?
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AA 62, I think I am a jack of all and master of none! If I had been that good I would have been top dog at ABW rather than a happy crash test dummy tester. I often wondered if I should get my paint brushes out again but I enjoy the grandchildren, my garden and making things in wood these days.
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Drag ... You are 'Banksy' I claim my £10
Great article ... Hope you don't mind me linking my previous Thread on MET Office Research Flying
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ch-flying.html
Hopefully our good friend 'XV208 Snoopy' will share a few more stories with us
Great article ... Hope you don't mind me linking my previous Thread on MET Office Research Flying
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ch-flying.html
Hopefully our good friend 'XV208 Snoopy' will share a few more stories with us
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Alcazaras48 ...
It looks like your 'initial' posts are being 'reviewed' by the Forum Mod's before being promoted to live ... Don't worry ... We've all been through this ... SOP
Looks like you might be having a bit of trouble with a pic ... If so, drop me an eMail with the pic and I'll gladly help
It looks like your 'initial' posts are being 'reviewed' by the Forum Mod's before being promoted to live ... Don't worry ... We've all been through this ... SOP
Looks like you might be having a bit of trouble with a pic ... If so, drop me an eMail with the pic and I'll gladly help