Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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It will be sad to see the Hercules eventually go, although its replacement looks amazing. I saw the photos on Facebook some weeks back of the first Atlas arriving at RAF Brize Norton.
Good point Typhoon, and I suspect you won't get many who disagree. Do you like me see something akin to the Belfast in the new beast ? Perhaps, being an old bloke, its hard not to compare, where youth will always welcome new technology and capability. Let's hope that the successor to Albert lives up to its expectations..
Smudge
Smudge
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Being honest, I don't know much about the Belfast or its service history so I don't want to comment.
I don't welcome new technology every time, although I'm sure you and others would agree that there comes a time when new aircraft are needed to keep up with the demands of the job and the stresses of operations. The Hercules has been in front line service for a long time now, it's time for something new. I also really like the arrangements of the props on the new Atlas, there's more blades so theoretically (if I have this right) they will generate more thrust while using less fuel so as they can have a longer range before needing to think about landing to refuel or meeting with an airborne tanker for air-to-air refuelling. I also like it how two props turn in one direction while the other two turn in the opposite direction.
I don't welcome new technology every time, although I'm sure you and others would agree that there comes a time when new aircraft are needed to keep up with the demands of the job and the stresses of operations. The Hercules has been in front line service for a long time now, it's time for something new. I also really like the arrangements of the props on the new Atlas, there's more blades so theoretically (if I have this right) they will generate more thrust while using less fuel so as they can have a longer range before needing to think about landing to refuel or meeting with an airborne tanker for air-to-air refuelling. I also like it how two props turn in one direction while the other two turn in the opposite direction.
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Hey hang on folks - The J remains in service for a few years yet. I think the OSD is 2025 yet some frames will not make that.
The J and K are different in many ways. The K could do things that the (UK) J still can't. I remain impressed by the J flight deck and systems.
I also admit to being optimistic about the A400M. Can't see any similarities to the Belfast though.
The J and K are different in many ways. The K could do things that the (UK) J still can't. I remain impressed by the J flight deck and systems.
I also admit to being optimistic about the A400M. Can't see any similarities to the Belfast though.
Drag, Typhoon,
I'm in full agreement with you both. I was fortunate enough to have a trip on a J after accumulating 5000 plus hours on the K. It's certainly a splendid machine and worthy of its fine pedigree. The Belfast was a fine concept, bastardised by political expedience IMHO, and could have been a real success, had some political shyster not had a finger in a well greased pie somewhere
the A400M I'm sure will be a great success, and perhaps that bit of extra capacity and technology might give it a long run as the C130K had, I'm sure those who operate and maintain it will love it as much.
Smudge
I'm in full agreement with you both. I was fortunate enough to have a trip on a J after accumulating 5000 plus hours on the K. It's certainly a splendid machine and worthy of its fine pedigree. The Belfast was a fine concept, bastardised by political expedience IMHO, and could have been a real success, had some political shyster not had a finger in a well greased pie somewhere
the A400M I'm sure will be a great success, and perhaps that bit of extra capacity and technology might give it a long run as the C130K had, I'm sure those who operate and maintain it will love it as much.Smudge
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I may be biased, but I do love this image......
Edit: Images don't work for some reason but here is the web page. The images closer to the top are the ones I love.
http://aviationshotzphotography.****...-hercules.html
Edit: Links don't work either.
Edit: Images don't work for some reason but here is the web page. The images closer to the top are the ones I love.
http://aviationshotzphotography.****...-hercules.html
Edit: Links don't work either.
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Snoopy Nav station
Coff, there is one bit of special kit on the Snoopy nav station that is missing from your photo. The elephant with the red and white nose. Rumour has it that it was put there when Marshall's did the conversion, and as it was on the blue prints and had a ref number, it could not be removed without design authority say so.
Anyone know where it went when snoopy was demobbed?
Anyone know where it went when snoopy was demobbed?
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It went to Marshals to do the A400 engine testing I believe.
Ye Gods
http://s466.photobucket.com/user/aer...mmer1.jpg.html
..
Ye Gods
http://s466.photobucket.com/user/aer...mmer1.jpg.html
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 20th Aug 2014 at 00:13.
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Cargo compartments of Belfast vs A400M:
Short Belfast: Length 25.7 m X width 3.66 m X height 3.66 m = 344.26 m3
Payload: 35,381 kg
A400M: Length 17.71 m X width 4 m X height 3.85 m forward of wing, 4m aft + 5.4 m length on ramp (23.11 m total length) = ~350-360 m3
Payload: 37,000 kg
So A400M is very much a modern Belfast.
Short Belfast: Length 25.7 m X width 3.66 m X height 3.66 m = 344.26 m3
Payload: 35,381 kg
A400M: Length 17.71 m X width 4 m X height 3.85 m forward of wing, 4m aft + 5.4 m length on ramp (23.11 m total length) = ~350-360 m3
Payload: 37,000 kg
So A400M is very much a modern Belfast.
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Yes, Snoopy went to MA for A400M engine testing. The long nose was removed and a standard black radome fitted. The red and white nose was laying at the back of the hangar outside. I used to walk by it every day when I had to park in the back car park in 2011. Not sure if it is preserved somewhere.
Odd thing - I saw them fitting it in around 1972/3 when I went on a school trip.
I did some work on snoopy back in the 80s when the aircraft was at Farnborough. I remember the Mod Ctee meeting which approved my mod but spent longer discussing the mod which painted the met office cockerel on the side. I don't recall any embellishments on the Nav Stn.
Odd thing - I saw them fitting it in around 1972/3 when I went on a school trip.
I did some work on snoopy back in the 80s when the aircraft was at Farnborough. I remember the Mod Ctee meeting which approved my mod but spent longer discussing the mod which painted the met office cockerel on the side. I don't recall any embellishments on the Nav Stn.
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Snoopy's nose is on display at the Met Office HQ in Exeter.
The elephant was to the left of the nav station, see if I can dig out a photo.
Understand xv208 has or will soon be scrapped
The elephant was to the left of the nav station, see if I can dig out a photo.
Understand xv208 has or will soon be scrapped
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I've been told by a colleague who works for Marshall's that Snoopy's wings have been sold to the Austrians.
It's a disgrace that a unique aicraft like Snoopy couldn't be saved.
It's a disgrace that a unique aicraft like Snoopy couldn't be saved.
Back from my mini hol to Cambridgeshire and will catch up fully later. The BIG difference between the Belfast and the A400M is that the A400 is designed to airdrop men and material whereas the Belfast was not. Makes the presence of an MSP in the cargo hold of the Belfast at Cosford all the more irritating ! IMHO.
Two a/c for the price of one. Background a/c needs no introduction.
Foreground a/c is a GAF Tornado with Mrs aa explaining to the backseater how it all should work. Taken at one of our 30 Sqn families days. We always had a GAF exchange officer on 30 and they used to arrange for one of the crews at Cottesmore to visit us. They also arranged German beer for our squadron's Oktoberfests. Them were the days !
During GW1 the 30 Sqn German Exchange Officer was not allowed to fly in theatre so during one of my spells back in Blighty I was crewed with him to do the Jersey Airshow (complete with nightstop).
On arrival in Jersey we got to the part of the shutdown checks where the Loadie gets cleared to open the crew door and go outside - our semi-tame German called 'Loadie, you are NOT clear to open the door, please wait'.
Having shutdown as far as possible he then put on his leather flying jacket and forage cap, opened the door himself and announced to the frankly shocked welcoming committee in a heavily teutonic accent 'Ve are back'.
Later, we had a chance to tour the Occupation Museum, those with forces ID got in free but after hearing a few comments about Germans from some of the waiting crowd he opted to just pay rather than start another incident.
By and large we were massively lucky with the personnel who came over from the US, Canada, Germany and Belgium; I got to fly with some real characters.
On arrival in Jersey we got to the part of the shutdown checks where the Loadie gets cleared to open the crew door and go outside - our semi-tame German called 'Loadie, you are NOT clear to open the door, please wait'.
Having shutdown as far as possible he then put on his leather flying jacket and forage cap, opened the door himself and announced to the frankly shocked welcoming committee in a heavily teutonic accent 'Ve are back'.
Later, we had a chance to tour the Occupation Museum, those with forces ID got in free but after hearing a few comments about Germans from some of the waiting crowd he opted to just pay rather than start another incident.
By and large we were massively lucky with the personnel who came over from the US, Canada, Germany and Belgium; I got to fly with some real characters.
Last edited by Mal Drop; 22nd Aug 2014 at 12:31.
AA62 #1193,
Good point, well made. Even a ground pounder like myself had to wonder about Belfast airdrop capability when visiting Cosford recently. Perhaps they would be better advised to park the Belfast outside, and place Albert in its place, with MSP suitably mounted
for historical accuracy of course, maybe then they could get the props lined up properly again.
Smudge
Good point, well made. Even a ground pounder like myself had to wonder about Belfast airdrop capability when visiting Cosford recently. Perhaps they would be better advised to park the Belfast outside, and place Albert in its place, with MSP suitably mounted
for historical accuracy of course, maybe then they could get the props lined up properly again.Smudge
Maldrop,
I remember the Jersey incident ! I have told people but they do not believe me. Yes we were very fortunate in the exchange aircrew we had on 30 Sqn. The Belgian Loadmaster (Dirk van L) endeared himself to the ladies at our section Christmas dinners by producing copious amounts of genuine Belgian chocolates.
He was a real pleasure to have on the section.
When OP Corporate was on I think the GAF exchange Nav (Udo S) got as far as ASI before the system showed him the red card. He said where the RAF goes he should go !
I remember the Jersey incident ! I have told people but they do not believe me. Yes we were very fortunate in the exchange aircrew we had on 30 Sqn. The Belgian Loadmaster (Dirk van L) endeared himself to the ladies at our section Christmas dinners by producing copious amounts of genuine Belgian chocolates.
He was a real pleasure to have on the section.
When OP Corporate was on I think the GAF exchange Nav (Udo S) got as far as ASI before the system showed him the red card. He said where the RAF goes he should go !
This could almost be another caption competition ! I am not taking liberties with the young lady, but merely astounding the audience by my vast knowledge of the LSJ ! Taken on the tanker adjacent to the HDU on one of the 30 Sqn families' days.