Originally Posted by nigegilb
PS I believe Foam has been a standard fit since 1973/74 when USAF were purchasing C130 E Model. The K Model at Lyneham dates from around 1967. If we decide to buy some new wings for the venerable beast foam is standard.
Nige, I wish that were true! The K went through a centre-section wing replacement programme in the early '80s. If foam was 'standard' on Lockheed C130 production wings at the time, then you would expect that all surviving Ks would have at least centre-wing suppressant foam. As you know, that is not the case - it must, at best, have been a 'delete option'. Also, as you are aware, it's not fitted to the J, so again we presumably paid for the standard fit to be modified. Nothing new there!
As for vulnerability to ground fire, that's something that the C130 fleet has been aware of pretty much since the aircraft first came into service - in fact, ever since the UK began tactical AT in WW2! I've experienced ground fire in some odd places - including Gatow (not during the Airlift, before anyone has a dig at my advanced age!), and from the Royal Navy! More seriously, small-arms ground fire was recognised as a problem requiring defensive tactics in campaigns in Rhodesia, Ethiopia, Beiruit, Oman, and several others now disappearing into the mists of time. The benefits of suppressant foam were well known among the SF community at least as early as the mid-'80s, and I recall talk of it having been requested around that time, though I have no specific evidence of that (I was a South Atlantic specialist by then!).
Anyway, I've been watching your campaign with interest and admiration. I have pointed out this topic to at least one retired Air Officer (some of you will know who that is!) who will hopefully ask a few pointed questions of the current Airships at the next opportunity. Good luck and Well Done!
Edit: my age is telling. Of course, I meant '
outer wing replacement programme', not
centre wings!