Merlin refueling from a C130 today

[Razor61]

As per the NOTAM (albeit a different date) seen in this thread :-
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=310426&highlight=C-130K

A Merlin from Westlands was refueling from a C-130 today in a line between Chard and Blandford Forum.
Does anyone know if it was an RAF C-130 or was it borrowed from Marshalls or the 352nd SOG?

Edit:-
Just found out it was an Italian Air Force C-130!

[D-IFF_ident]

I see a pre-ratification copy of ATP 56(B) Part 3 - Rotary Procedures is now up on the RAF site - https://cms.raf.mod.uk/rafpublished/downloads/airtoair56b.cfm

I would commend it as an interesting read to any tanker crews out there, regardless of whether you do rotary AAR.

And I can't wait to hear Beag's take on the 'RV Hotel'! :cool:

[ORAC]

I can remember controlling rotary AAR from Neatishead back in 75-76. The TTL was to the east of Great Yarmouth. Apart from the very slow speed the only unusual factor was instead of rolling the chicks out behind and below the tanker, you rolled the tanker out behind and above the chicks - it then slowly overtook for the RV.

[StopStart]

Would be nice for us to get involved with this sort thing but sadly the C130J has a fully developed, trialled and operationally tested wing-pod system in use with both the USMC and the IAF.

Thus it would take at least 10 years and £450M for BAe, Marshalls and Qinetiq to implement, design and test a system for the RAF. From what I've heard, the mooted RAF system involves throwing paper cups full of fuel off the ramp at passing aircraft.

:{

[D-IFF_ident]

Ah, but you're missing some essential procurement and development issues Stoppers. You can't just use any paper cups, for example. They have to be tested to withstand a 15g load, and a 3g impact, and remain flimsy at temperatures of -56C. etc :}

[Green Flash]

Thus it would take at least 10 years and £450M

So soon and so cheap!! Impressive. That's progress for you ..... :rolleyes:

[Jackonicko]

Photo chase sortie today/tomorrow, my spies tell me.

[trap one]

Nothing changed through out my time with either Helo AAR or KC135/VC10 to Herc refueling. You just got better at reducing the time the tanker was chasing the receiver. Best you could do was to have the tanker steady up on the receiver course as he past overhead.

[LBGR]

Quote:
Thus it would take at least 10 years and £450M
So soon and so cheap!! Impressive. That's progress for you ..... :rolleyes:

That of course is only the initial estimate, it is still subject to inflation, sucker-tax, un-forseen cock-ups on the contractors part and timeplan set backs. All of which the MOD will have to pay for.

Theres no final quote available but try doubling everything and you might be close. :ok:

[Green Flash]

LBGR

Sadly, you are right. You would think that given a problem, with the solution STARING THEM IN THE FACE, someone, somewhere, would make the decision, end up with a nice warm glow and begin to re-establish everyones faith in the procurement system. You would think, wouldn't you?:(

However, to save 18.3p per airframe the MoD insisted that 2 split washers that would allow retrofitting of the pods be removed at the factory before delivery. Drive a hard bargain they did. The washers can be put back of course - but it means taking the entire wing off at £84.9 billion per cab.:\