Our GEs v the Rest.
Back out in California, we were returning to El Centro and whilst taxying back in a drainage grid tore up two mainwheel tyres on the left side. Now we had one spare but the GE insisted that the other one was not serviceable. We were required to fly the following day so we did a quick survey of likely C130 bases and found that the Air National Guard at Van Nuys Burbank (Hollywood) had a pretty good stores set up. "Got any mainwheels?" we asked
"Sure"
"Can we borrow one?"
"Okayyyyy"
So we loaded up the hire car (for transit requirements) and boogied off to Van Nuys. The Maintenance team there were very wary of the "loan" of a wheel. The width was narrower than ours and tyre pressures were different, also they needed a "wheel change team" who weren't available. Our GE just said "Stand Back" and on his own loosened all the bolts, jacked up the beast, snuck inside the gear bay and shoved the wheel off. "The new one goes on there" he said. The Spams were all mightily impressed and in awe of the expertise. In recompense we also borrowed some engine instruments and other parts for the beast. A very good night stop in downtown Burbank ensued. The only snag was when we refuelled the hire car there which raised eyebrows when it was returned to the agency on leaving El Centro.
"You gassed this thing up in Burbank and there's only 400 miles on the odometer for two weeks!"
