Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
Time as a G.E.
Smudge my boy, as I did two stints as a G.E. with the first being 77 to 83 along with other such people as our own Eddie Botham and then dragged back kicking and screaming from Abingdon for a second stint 90 to 94 to play in the GW1 until I departed the mob, we probably did especially if you are the follicly challenged Smudge I remember. All told doing one third of your RAF career as a G.E. can't be all bad can it!
Easter Island ?
As Max Boyce used to put it I know because I was there, OP Corporate Pacific division, a very interesting side line to the main happening which did result in a mention in Air Internationals Labour of Hercules article about a South American country all of a sudden doubling its Quota of Hercs, the only mention I have ever seen about that little trip.
Auto pilot
In the early days on the OCU at Thorney the route proving flight was a trip to Malta via a Gib night stop where the flight engineer did the servicing to the delight of the techies who got away down town very quickly. As the trip to Gib went out into the Atlantic I believe to make it a longer flight for the Aircrew all that hand flown time was good experience. The other reason to go to Malta was to get in two weeks night flying from the Sunspot dispersal as you couldn't night fly at Thorney as all the retired Navy big wigs didn't like being kept awake by the drone of the Herc. If you wanted to the techies could get to Malta for two weeks every other month, hell wasn't it. Malta was also the only place that I know of where a Herc suffered a Giraffe strike, but that's another story!
Lox pots in Rhodesia
The original techie det in Rhodesia consisted of four G.E.s, myself , the estimable Eddie Botham and two other reprobates whose names escape me and yes, it was decided to vent the Lox as the thought of one of the locals having a shot at the nice big white aiming point on the forward fuselage ( a big white cross to show we weren't on anybodies side ) was rather exciting and the only one who did, at least the only one who hit the aircraft, missed the pot but did get the radome anti icing ducting which hung in the SF empire afterwards.
However, and this is another story, we did collect a bullet hole in the lower port fuselage about level with the para seats when operating into Sarajevo, we found it because the whistle of escaping air was loud enough to hear even on the Herc, fixed with a nut, bolt and silicone sealant on return to Zagreb, its probably still there!
However, and this is another story, we did collect a bullet hole in the lower port fuselage about level with the para seats when operating into Sarajevo, we found it because the whistle of escaping air was loud enough to hear even on the Herc, fixed with a nut, bolt and silicone sealant on return to Zagreb, its probably still there!
We did some interesting and unusual trips on 48. This is Mahe in the Seychelles as they were building the new airport. As you can see it is a work in progress.
An RFA had engine problems just off the Seychelles and needed a new piston.
Now a ship's piston is not a small item ! A plan was hatched to see if it could be delivered by Herc to Mahe, landing on the small strip used by a puddle jumper from South Africa. The late G/C Sweatman (then a S/L) was sent to check. I do not think he used anything more scientific than his experience, certainly no formal CBR check. Yes he said so off we went. More pics in this series to follow.
Gopher more tales thank you. Did you see my pic of the Hercs at Easter Island earlier in this thread ?
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C130 Thread
Background on this shot is that as the guerrilla/rebels became more frustrated their demands on the authorities to ensure their co-operation became more bizarre and menacing. This drop was to ensure that the village elder of this settlement kept his head, yep you read that correctly.
The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,(not a lass in sight) pots, pans, heaters (temp there was in the 35*C+). The Army Air Dispatch guys worked their butts off and no doubt saved several lives as a result of their efforts. Damn shame that we were SO inaccurate that a number of loads fell into mine fields.
The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,(not a lass in sight) pots, pans, heaters (temp there was in the 35*C+). The Army Air Dispatch guys worked their butts off and no doubt saved several lives as a result of their efforts. Damn shame that we were SO inaccurate that a number of loads fell into mine fields.
Gopher01,
I suspect I'm your man, although I doubt follically challenged is an apt description, there's no follicles to challenge. I'm sure we must have shared a few beers down route, but it would be interesting to hear how Eddie Botham managed to snare you back from Abingdon. I'm struggling to remember, but ISTR there were 4 "retreads" (check spelling) who came back for GW1. I bet you must have a few pictures too. Come on, tell all.
Smudge
I suspect I'm your man, although I doubt follically challenged is an apt description, there's no follicles to challenge. I'm sure we must have shared a few beers down route, but it would be interesting to hear how Eddie Botham managed to snare you back from Abingdon. I'm struggling to remember, but ISTR there were 4 "retreads" (check spelling) who came back for GW1. I bet you must have a few pictures too. Come on, tell all.
Smudge
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Great photos
Re "The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,
(not a lass in sight)"
For bullet wounds, sterile dressings ?
Re "The list of items in this load included thousands of Tampax,
(not a lass in sight)"
For bullet wounds, sterile dressings ?
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Tampax...
Remember building 4 pallets of boxes of tampax at Ancona during the Sarajevo airlift. That was the only time we saw our female Flt Lt helping us to build anything. She went to climb on top of one the pallets to pull the net over, collapsed the boxes and disappeared back to the office, leaving us to rebuild the pallet.
The 47 Sqn crew's faces were a picture when we told them why the load was so light.
Remember building 4 pallets of boxes of tampax at Ancona during the Sarajevo airlift. That was the only time we saw our female Flt Lt helping us to build anything. She went to climb on top of one the pallets to pull the net over, collapsed the boxes and disappeared back to the office, leaving us to rebuild the pallet.
The 47 Sqn crew's faces were a picture when we told them why the load was so light.
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Hope you'll permit an ex-Muppet to post some photos from Op Bushell taken during Nov 1985
En route between Assab and Mekele
Locals helping with the offload at Mekele
After offloading the grain, there was a dance led by a man with the loud hailer. The dance consisted of going round in circles and stamping a foot in time to the man on loud hailer. The stamping would be so fierce that the wing tips moved.
Tyre burst on taxi at Assab when loaded with grain. We had to offload the grain before the GEs could change the wheel. They found there was some damage to the undercarriage doors and the rest of the days tasks were cancelled and we flew back to Addis empty. It took a few days for the required spares to arrive before normal air landing ops could continue.
Edited to add - according to my notes, this was XV306 on the 4 Nov 1985
En route between Assab and Mekele
Locals helping with the offload at Mekele
After offloading the grain, there was a dance led by a man with the loud hailer. The dance consisted of going round in circles and stamping a foot in time to the man on loud hailer. The stamping would be so fierce that the wing tips moved.
Tyre burst on taxi at Assab when loaded with grain. We had to offload the grain before the GEs could change the wheel. They found there was some damage to the undercarriage doors and the rest of the days tasks were cancelled and we flew back to Addis empty. It took a few days for the required spares to arrive before normal air landing ops could continue.
Edited to add - according to my notes, this was XV306 on the 4 Nov 1985
Last edited by November4; 31st May 2014 at 13:35. Reason: Edited to add date and tail number
upgently,
as I recall the return rate for the parachutes (Op Agila) was virtually nil which had a knock on effect for training back in the UK. I think the local ladies were rather keen on them for dressmaking and the like.
as I recall the return rate for the parachutes (Op Agila) was virtually nil which had a knock on effect for training back in the UK. I think the local ladies were rather keen on them for dressmaking and the like.
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Gopher1,
The Op Corporate Pacific Division a/c you mention does get a mention in the public domain through Hutchings book SF Pilot (Seaking story).
One of the other contributors to this thread may feel inclined to elaborate.
Apparently the spelin was as good as mine.
One day I might tell the story of how the LGBTG Forum had an impact on our parachute disposal policy.
The Op Corporate Pacific Division a/c you mention does get a mention in the public domain through Hutchings book SF Pilot (Seaking story).
One of the other contributors to this thread may feel inclined to elaborate.
Apparently the spelin was as good as mine.
One day I might tell the story of how the LGBTG Forum had an impact on our parachute disposal policy.
gopher01,
my log book tells me that on March 6 1968 we took XV 187 to Malta via El Adem. Then on 22 we took XV 188 to Malta for the night flying detachment. When I was an airdrop instructor on the OCU we used to detach to Nicosia for LL and airdrop training. Good times.
my log book tells me that on March 6 1968 we took XV 187 to Malta via El Adem. Then on 22 we took XV 188 to Malta for the night flying detachment. When I was an airdrop instructor on the OCU we used to detach to Nicosia for LL and airdrop training. Good times.
