Hercules Tanker

[Herod]

I've been asked whether the RAF ever had any Hercules adapted to act as tankers, presumably for other Hercules. Does anyone have any gen on this?

[rattman]

I've been asked whether the RAF ever had any Hercules adapted to act as tankers, presumably for other Hercules. Does anyone have any gen on this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_KC-130

[SWBKCB]

Sure that somebody will be along shortly to give chapter and verse, but googling "RAF Hercules Tanker" gives this, which looks like a good place to start:

The story of RAF Hercules air-to-air refuelling in the Falklands (https://www.key.aero/article/raf-hercules-air-air-refuelling-falklands)

There's also this earlier thread

https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/588496-raf-hercules-tankers.html

[Herod]

Thanks Guys. I should have been more specific, since I knew about the Falklands. There is a picture showing a Hercules with "mission tallies" on the side, which look like tanker missions. However, the picture is dated early '73. I was on the Hercules fleet from '73 to '76. and know nothing of this. I suspect the tallies are for something else, but the picture isn't clear enough to tell.

[wub]

Possibly Operation Khana Cascade, air drops of relief supplies following an earthquake in Nepal, in 1973.

[ancientaviator62]

Herod,
the now quiet Hercules thread has a gr
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1577x1086/hercules_aar_close_41666bd010c4b08e8f4c1c009c80c7c5dd16d6c7. jpg A reat deal of info and pics of the Conversion and use of the Hercules as a tanker It was used to tank other Hercules nut also many FJ a/c as well. Especially supporting the RAF FJ element in the Falklands and of course the Airbridge..

[ancientaviator62]

Herod,
I was associated with the Hercules tanker virtually from the beginning to the end when they were converted back to standard. I have a collection of pics of the tanker inside and out. If you are interested PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you a selection.

[Herod]

Thanks wub. That looks like it may be it. The tallies could be meal sacks, indicating number of drops. The picture was taken at Luqa in Jan 63. The date doesn't quite tally, but then the photographer may have that wrong by a couple of months. After all, it was a LONG TIME AGO.

[ancientaviator62]

Herod,
the RAF did not operate the Hercules in 1963, so you must mean 1973 I think.

[ancientaviator62]

Herod,
I got your PM but not sure if my reply went ! If you send me your e-mail address I will send pics etc. Better I think than boring the rest of the readership.

[Herod]

email address sent

[sandiego89]

Herod,
I got your PM but not sure if my reply went ! If you send me your e-mail address I will send pics etc. Better I think than boring the rest of the readership.

Boring?! I think you would find most of us here would love to see some early herky-bird tanker interior pictures. Bring' em on!

[ancientaviator62]

sandie,
the reason I said 'boring' was that it was all covered in the Hercules thread.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x960/herctankerinternal_1__a477adc842d0802674358b2171246ddedfa672 39.jpg

[DuncanDoenitz]

A gazillion gallons of Avtur. One 5kg BCF.

"Its H&S gone mad, I tell you".

[57mm]

Grab the Lockup (about 4000lb IIRC), then 5 mins of fun over Stanley in the world's fastest steam engine, the magnificent FGR2....

[chevvron]

Herod,
the now quiet Hercules thread has a gr
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1577x1086/hercules_aar_close_41666bd010c4b08e8f4c1c009c80c7c5dd16d6c7. jpg A reat deal of info and pics of the Conversion and use of the Hercules as a tanker It was used to tank other Hercules nut also many FJ a/c as well. Especially supporting the RAF FJ element in the Falklands and of course the Airbridge..
Superb photo.

[Ken Scott]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/3b9f2afb_77bb_41ad_b3ce_5e90058ac0a8_9316ae3d00a49ce764882bc dbed7823ad6c33427.jpeg
The view from the opposite end.

[Video Mixdown]

Superb photo.
Thank you.

[NutLoose]

sandie,
the reason I said 'boring' was that it was all covered in the Hercules thread.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x960/herctankerinternal_1__a477adc842d0802674358b2171246ddedfa672 39.jpg

Are those the ex Andover tanks that were also used in the Chinook?

[ExAscoteer2]

They were certainly ex-Andover tanks. Initially the fitment was 2, latterly 4.

[sycamore]

VM. great to see the `goofers gallery` full ,as usual,for a 24 Sdn crew demo...
KS,suggest the aircraft is a little `low`,as the hose is not level from the drogue...but hey ,I`m just an old AARI....!
`Scroggs` will be along to comment...

[Video Mixdown]

VM. great to see the `goofers gallery` full ,as usual,for a 24 Sdn crew demo...
I swear the Captain of Henry's Honkies would have given up his own seat for them if he could!

[sycamore]

Duncan,it was H& S that finally saw the demise of the Herc tankers,as the Andover tanks were single skinned,and would be a nightmare if involved in any shooting war,as the system did not allow fuel to be directly offloaded thu` the HDU to a receiver,but transferred up to the main fuel system,not that the rest of the aircraft`s fuel system was any different,ie no self sealing /flame-suppressant system,either...
I took a couple of tankers to the `scrapyard at Marshall`s` `,ostensibly for scrapping,but they were later sold on to the Sri Lankan AF ,and also the Austrian AF..Still in service I think...and they`d been operated at up to 175kMauw......! or thereabouts...

It was never comfortable looking out at the wings/engines`nodding`; one felt that Marshalls should have put a couple of extra `struts/flying wires on the wings....

[ancientaviator62]

IIRC,
the tanker always had 4 internal tanks. It was the PLR 2/4 mods that varied the tanks. As sycamore says they were
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x605/hercules_aar_f4_4a7b3ae1167152e64ebd379c6bb9d7c1e342238b.jpg
routinely operated at 20000 lbs above the normal T/O weight. I would noot have bought an ex RAF tanker but I assume they are still giving good service. View from my 'office'.

[Herod]

IIRC, that overload was allowed for in the design, but had to be authorised by a VSO, as wartime necessity.

[DCThumb]

IIRC,
the tanker always had 4 internal tanks. It was the PLR 2/4 mods that varied the tanks. As sycamore says they were
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x605/hercules_aar_f4_4a7b3ae1167152e64ebd379c6bb9d7c1e342238b.jpg
routinely operated at 20000 lbs above the normal T/O weight. I would noot have bought an ex RAF tanker but I assume they are still giving good service. View from my 'office'.

In the latter days of their lives, fatigue on the Tankers was monitored more precisely than any aircraft in the fleet. My (limited) understanding is that instead of using TOW multiplied by the load factor to produce Fatigue Index, we monitored AUW and recorded it, plus the fatigue meter reading, at every change of flight profile, as a result, there was plenty of life left in the Tankers before they were withdrawn from service,

[ancientaviator62]

As there seems to be a rewed interest in the RAF Hercules tanker I have several pics of them. Most are mine some are not If I put any up then perhaps the owners of the rights can forgive me ! I will put up one a day to gauge the interest.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/744x1024/hercules_aar_tanker_inside_hdu_98367eacc33a5879f2ef8e60c337e 1fa4327fcda.jpg

[ancientaviator62]

Herod,
yes the 175000 lbs overload weight was meant to be an emergency one off. Not the norm as we did with the tankers. I understand that Lockheed were approached for fatigue information about this but refused to help !

[ancientaviator62]

Today's offering.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x542/hercules_aar_to_herc_aar_6a714d040bf7bbad8e83a514d6af646359a 03272.jpg

[DaveReidUK]

I took a couple of tankers to the "scrapyard at Marshall's", ostensibly for scrapping, but they were later sold on to the Sri Lankan AF, and also the Austrian AF. Still in service I think...

The Austrian ones certainly are, and grace UK airspace from time to time:

Making a RIAT debut this year will be the Austrian Air Force with their Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) role demonstration. In an exciting display sequence, this C-130K Hercules will simulate an intruder entering RAF Fairford airspace only to be intercepted by a pair of Austrian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons scrambling from the runway with orders to force the Hercules to land. The Austrian fleet of three C-130K aircraft were all previously flown by the Royal Air Force and are all now based at Hörsching Air Base.

Austrian Hercules (https://www.airtattoo.com/airshow/aircraft/lookingback/looking-back-at-2022/aircraft-in-the-spotlight/austrian-hercules)

[ancientaviator62]

Dave,
thanks for the information. However with quite a few tanker hours in my log book I would still have opted for other redundant RAF C130k a/c were I to buy one. !
I suppose you can see the sales pitch. One titled lady owner, never raced or rallied and full service history.

[Ken Scott]

I thought that the ones the Austrians had bought were not ex-tankers. The Sri Lankans had bought a few of them but at least one was scrapped in situ at Marshals in Cambridge, I saw it reduced to nothing over a number of visits to drop off & collect frames. The Austrians had some of the good ones, I remember seeing a couple up in Norway parked near us some years ago (around 2005ish?), they’d upgraded them including INAS etc (no need for the Nav!)

Some years later I was on a land away to Austria in a newer TacAT type and saw one of them in the circuit, the trails of black smoke seemed rather innocuous for this day & age…

[DaveReidUK]

I thought that the ones the Austrians had bought were not ex-tankers.

The 3 Austrian C-130K's are:

8T-CA (4198), formerly XV181
8T-CB (4256), formerly XV291
8T-CC (4257), formerly XV292

if that helps in identifying whether any of them are ex-tankers.

[ExAscoteer2]

XV292 wasn't a Tanker - it was the aircraft that carried the 25 Years In RAF Service livery in 1992.

[Ken Scott]

As I thought none of those were tankers. From my logbook I have XV201, 204, 213 & 296 as tankers. I think there were only four.

[sycamore]

XV192 ,XV203 were also tankers,6 altogether...

[NutLoose]

Duncan,it was H& S that finally saw the demise of the Herc tankers,as the Andover tanks were single skinned,and would be a nightmare if involved in any shooting war,as the system did not allow fuel to be directly offloaded thu` the HDU to a receiver,but transferred up to the main fuel system,not that the rest of the aircraft`s fuel system was any different,ie no self sealing /flame-suppressant system,either...
I took a couple of tankers to the `scrapyard at Marshall`s` `,ostensibly for scrapping,but they were later sold on to the Sri Lankan AF ,and also the Austrian AF..Still in service I think...and they`d been operated at up to 175kMauw......! or thereabouts...

It was never comfortable looking out at the wings/engines`nodding`; one felt that Marshalls should have put a couple of extra `struts/flying wires on the wings....

Then H&S would have positively sh*t themselves at the sight of the Puma’s ferry tanks.

[sycamore]

Nutty,maybe they`re still `in service`...

[NutLoose]

Nutty,maybe they`re still `in service`...

Are they? Dick Langworthy hadn’t got a good word for the spreader plates as he said he designed the originals and the final MOD product didn’t address the problem with them pulling the mounts out of the honeycomb floor panels as they just moved the loading from the tank feet to the revised mounts.

Though in fairness we never had a problem again.



​​​​​​…

[ancientaviator62]

Today'
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1351/hercules_aar_3264905702f4c36cf13f9ac3c9ca30ed67e0d7cf.jpg
s picture

[ancientaviator62]

sycamore is correct. There were six tankers and each of the four 'downstairs' tanks in the tankers held approx 7000 lbs of fuel.

[DaveReidUK]

XV192, XV203 were also tankers, 6 altogether...
Two of the six did eventually go to Sri Lanka. A third, originally intended for them, was instead scrapped due to the condition it was found to be in, and the remainder went the same way.

[Video Mixdown]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1356x934/c_130_1312_flt_5_9875cfda901dd437763d42a400d66da69dcc73be.jp g
XV203 airborne from MPA in 1989
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1884x1422/teal_inlet_937cd30cb6714bc4c983fec235c40b06e339a11b.jpg
The view from the flight deck: Teal Inlet

[MReyn24050]

En route to the Falklands early Dec 1984.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x740/just_fill_her_up_please_20bf398fe5b7ddf6fe4decb10ab1be04af5a 3b6c.jpg

[ancientaviator62]

Nice to see more
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x515/hercules_aar_rear_of_tanker_asi_43513c82b8f671b69feb820aebe6 d5152d57d5ea.jpg
pics appearing.

[sycamore]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x431/falklands_93_39eb2aad1dce181ab752786693877915ec1ea9ce.jpg
And another,N of the Falklands....

[roadsman]

I was working in Eng Ops at Stanley in late 1982 when two QRA Phantoms were scrambled one afternoon, they were then followed by the Hercules tanker which taxied out of the dispersal next to the old air terminal but as it turned onto the runway there was a problem with the nose wheel which either jammed or snapped and the herc was stuck on the runway unable to move. there was great consternation as the phantoms would need refueling or return to Stanley and land but at that point they could do neither. I can't recall how the situation was resolved. I presume the Hercules was eventually towed back to the dispersal and the Phantoms landed without incident. does anybody else recall the incident?

[MENELAUS]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x431/falklands_93_39eb2aad1dce181ab752786693877915ec1ea9ce.jpg
And another,N of the Falklands....


Cracking shots. Jason Islands. We found the remains of an Argentinian Navy pilot and his A4 about 2/3rd of the way up of the first peak in the photograph. Heading East and presumably inbound to do his worst. What was left of him was repatriated home.

[VX275]

I was involved with the A&AEE trials of a JATE designed ASRA for the Herc tanker. The tankers were an obvious choice for a Search and Rescue aircraft in the Falklands and so JATE designed and built a platform that could be positioned in the port para door to despatch three linked MS10 containers. The trials were on the whole a success, but we never issued recommendations for a CA Release for the ASRA as it was pointed out that having three smoke floats secured to the cabin wall within feet of a single skinned fuel tank was probably not all that sensible. Also, as the aircraft itself didn't have a CA Release as result of the tanker mod we couldn't issue recommendations for the ASRA.
Incidentally every time we despatched the three life rafts two out of the three inflated inverted, I never complained about dinghy righting drills after that.

[ancientaviator62]

VX 275,
i find that very interesting as almost from day one of the C130K in RAF service we had a role to drop three containers from the port para door. These could be a mix of liferafts and/or supplies.They were linked together by rope in a plywood rope dispenser box. Certainly the tanker in the Falklands had such a role and the kit was available, Although my memory is not what it was I am sure we carried marine markers and smoke floats

[ancientaviator62]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x691/hercules_48_asra_d00b90c41e85ac7c09b9fbff6c49b2a7abb9aaad.jp g
Pic shows the kit at the port para door and the cargo door open which is how we did it in FEAF. Normally the cargo door remained shut.

[ancientaviator62]

Forgot to mention that you can see the yellow smoke floats and a marine marker in a box to the left of the ASRA kit which has not yet been moved into the drop position.

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

I was working in Eng Ops at Stanley in late 1982 when two QRA Phantoms were scrambled one afternoon, they were then followed by the Hercules tanker which taxied out of the dispersal next to the old air terminal but as it turned onto the runway there was a problem with the nose wheel which either jammed or snapped and the herc was stuck on the runway unable to move. there was great consternation as the phantoms would need refueling or return to Stanley and land but at that point they could do neither. I can't recall how the situation was resolved. I presume the Hercules was eventually towed back to the dispersal and the Phantoms landed without incident. does anybody else recall the incident?

oh yes! I was the Tower Controller. Full description being typed up! Fred Carno's Circus was Amateur Hour in comparison!

[DCThumb]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x431/falklands_93_39eb2aad1dce181ab752786693877915ec1ea9ce.jpg
And another,N of the Falklands....

Thats a photo of Me!

[VX275]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x691/hercules_48_asra_d00b90c41e85ac7c09b9fbff6c49b2a7abb9aaad.jp g
Pic shows the kit at the port para door and the cargo door open which is how we did it in FEAF. Normally the cargo door remained shut.

The ASRA kit on the tanker was mounted on rails that ran in the gap between the end of the fuel tanks and the HDU on the ramp. It was all a bit cramped especially as we had additional MS10s stowed in the walkway alongside the fuel tanks. The rails were used so that a seat for an observer could be fitted in the open doorway before being slid out of the way and the ASRA positioned. Unlike the one in your photo the JATE design had the ropes stowed under the metal base on which the MS10s sat.
I believe JADETU came up with another ASRA design for the J Herc, having failed to remember they had designed one for the Herc Tanker.

[ancientaviator62]

VX275,
thanks for the clarification.

[wiggy]

I was working in Eng Ops at Stanley in late 1982 when two QRA Phantoms were scrambled one afternoon, they were then followed by the Hercules tanker which taxied out of the dispersal next to the old air terminal but as it turned onto the runway there was a problem with the nose wheel which either jammed or snapped and the herc was stuck on the runway unable to move. there was great consternation as the phantoms would need refueling or return to Stanley and land but at that point they could do neither. I can't recall how the situation was resolved. I presume the Hercules was eventually towed back to the dispersal and the Phantoms landed without incident. does anybody else recall the incident?

May well be wrong but as I recall it only 1 F-4 involved, 29 sqn crew..(it was during the 29/23 overlap as you say end of 82).

F-4 had launched, the original tanker I think went "inop" on taxi out and the nosewheel collapse happened on it's taxi back in (?).

Second C-130 was eventually despatched from the mid'ish point, entering via a clear intersection and then used reverse I think to back up to the stranded 130 to maximise runway length before power up, brakes off.

Some time later after a fair bit of tanking, the F-4 was recovered into the approach end cables with the stranded 130 still blocking runway.

FWIW the crew brief I believe was if they'd missed the wires the crew would have ejected, so we (Phandet) and others retired to a safe distance from the runway edge just in case.

C-130 I think went off to Montevideo.

Be very interesting to compare notes and see how others remember it.

[Video Mixdown]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/647x677/mail_drop_dd755f83ec9ccd5266078414d91139eee5e50250.jpg
Mail Drop - Grytviken, South Georgia

[chevvron]

Some time later after a fair bit of tanking, the F-4 was recovered into the approach end cables with the stranded 130 still blocking runway.

FWIW the crew brief I believe was if they'd missed the wires the crew would have ejected, so we (Phandet) and others retired to a safe distance from the runway edge just in case.


From what I heard, the F4s at Stanley used to engage the RHAG on every landing as SOP.

[wiggy]

From what I heard, the F4s at Stanley used to engage the RHAG on every landing as SOP.

Correct ...( though I have a vague memory the set up wasn't exclusively RHAG).

[MPN11]

Two spaced out RHAGs at each end, and a CHAG in the middle.

You can make out the locations by the extended AM-2 matting at the runway edges. 1984 pic, IIRC.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1570/img063_b187ad65e1c82d9c6ecc91bf49b8db266b0eeef3.jpg

[RAFEngO74to09]

Correct ...( though I have a vague memory the set up wasn't exclusively RHAG).

It was Portable Aircraft Arrestor Gear (PAAG) - used by Phantoms on every landing.

GEF was allocated one of the ex-TCW Mobile TACAN LHD Land Rover 101 Forward Control Box Body with the 3.5-litre V8 engine as a rapid rewind / maintenance vehicle (the TACAN equipment was removed and shipped back to the UK).

http://www.marontech.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PAAG-Unit.jpeg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/59/99/1c/59991c281d92c8c3881a9a396ae85aa4--land-rover-defender-range-rover.jpg

[MPN11]

Ah, PAAG ... memory fade there! Thanks.

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

OK, Roadsman asked for this – so it’s his fault, not mine! It’s a long post, so pour yourself a beer or Scotch and pull up another sandbag…..

Background. It’s 1982, Falkland Islands, immediately post conflict. The runway – orientation 08/26 - at RAF Stanley has been extended to 6,100ft and surfaced with AM2 aluminium matting for its entire length. Arresting gear has been installed with 5 cables running:

Bak-13 – -RHAG –---- BAK-13 -----RHAG –- Bak-13.

to cater for the more recently arrived F-4 Phantom operations. All F-4 landings were ‘arrested’ landings as Standard Operating Procedure; it was also normal for the F-4s to stream their chutes just prior to touchdown too – presumably as a ‘belt and braces’ option. (The centre cable was known colloquially in ATC as the “Oh ****-me” cable because it was only ever likely to be used in such extremis)! (MPN11 – there was the remains of a CHAG but that was a left over from the temporary occupation of the airfield by the Argentinean forces – it was never part of the RAF operational inventory).

I think it was 6 x F-4s that formed ‘Phandet’, 6 (8?) x Harrier GR3s formed ‘Hardet’, both located very approximately where indicated on the attached photo. ‘Replen’ was an ‘always open – pitch-up’ helicopter rotors running refuelling facility on the north side of the airfield.

The old existing apron has been significantly expanded to cater for the parking of larger aircraft, mainly 2 x C130 Tankers/MRR on permanent detachment, 1 (sometimes 2 ) x C130 on the regular Airbridge detachment with plenty of additional room for other usage and as Manoeuvring Area. On this occasion there are indeed 4 x C-130s on the apron, 3 as described above, the 4th being Lady Thatcher’s transport, for it is She Herself that the story really revolves around. There was one C-130 on Tanker Alert, the second had just returned from an MRR sortie and had yet to be refuelled, the 3rd the Air Bridge and of course Mrs T’s VIP pod equipped one that was on ‘Alert’, in case she had to be evacuated quickly.

Everyone was at a high state of anticipation on the expectation that ‘something might happen’ due to the Prime Minister’s presence on the Islands.

Initial Play. An F-4 (as usual, fully armed) was already airborne on a ‘Presence Sortie’ and had been up for a while. The opening ‘shot’ of this spectacle was the observance of a number of C-130 aircrew proceeding towards their Alert Tanker at what can only be described an unusually animated pace…..and I can confirm that one of the leaders was, indeed, in possession of the in-flight ration box! Quick call to Ops:

Ops: “Ops……”

Twr: “Twr - Anything you want to tell us?”

Ops: “Oh, yeah – scrambling an F-4 and the tanker – FIADGE have detected an incoming raid.” Click whirrrrrr.

Me to self and my AATC (Smudger Smith): Oh dear – (or words to that effect)

Near simultaneous 4 engine start from Herc (impressive!), who calls for taxy when he’s about to enter the runway and thinks that backtrack (26 in use) approval may be useful. Backtrack approved. Said Herc backtracks at a pace perhaps ‘not recognised as prudent by Queen’s Regulations’.

In the meantime, F-4 – we’ll call Q2 – (Q1 = the one already airborne) calling for taxy on a scramble – manage to hold him before he enters the runway in the face of the C-130 about to depart.

More Haste, Less Speed. Observe the C-130 in the 26 turning circle with one wing very low carrying out a 180 turn that would have put an F1 car doing doughnuts to shame!

Me: “That doesn’t look good”

C-130 stops, crew door opens, crew member on long lead headset looks agitated at the nose gear and makes animated gestures at the nose wheel and cockpit area; re-enters aircraft – door closes.

This takes a few seconds – I’ll let the readership imagine the screeching about priority departures emanating from Q2……but given the wind and only 6,100 ft, 26 is the only option.

C-130 starts taxying s l o w l y up the runway in a very drunk-like manner, weaving gently – the noise being generated indicating that steering is being maintained by differential power usage on the outboards.

C-130: “Twr, we’re U/S – hydraulic issue, no nosewheel steering. Returning to Apron – get Ops to launch the other Tanker..”

Immediately relay same to Ops and update them on the situation and that I’ll get the F-4 away as soon as the C-130 is clear. Ops mention that Tanker 2 hasn’t yet been refuelled from it’s MRR sortie earlier in the day…….

Twr: “C-130, take the first exit left for the apron, there’s going to be an F-4 backtracking against you on a scramble, can you make the turn or do you require a tug?”

C-130: “We’ll make the turn and shut down when clear, we’ll need the tug then.”

Start arranging ground handling and clear the F-4 to back-track when:

WHHHHHOOOoooooooo............!

Notice C130 on equally impressive rapid 4 engine shut-down – RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUNWAY as indicated on the photo. Approx 3000ft of runway behind and 3000ft in front. It takes me a few seconds to notice that the nose gear is now sheared off at the leg and the wheels are on their sides, supporting the underside of the nose. This aeroplane is going nowhere in a rush!

And its at max all up weight – full of fuel.

Advise Q2 that backtrack approval rescinded and that the runway’s blocked for the foreseeable future; response from Q2 is somewhat less than helpful!

By this time, of course, numerous C-130 ground crew and senior eng staff are on their way to the stricken C-130 while another crew are sauntering out to Tanker 2, sans in-flight rations this time.

Ops get Q2 to return to Phandet and advise that 4 x Sidewinder armed Harriers are going to scramble from Hardet and STOL off, downwind, off 08 to support Q1 to engage the ‘incoming raid’ with a Mixed Fighter Force.

Within seconds the Harriers are on frequency and depart equally quickly off 08 to join Q1 – they are the least of my issues that now comprise various vehicles, people, sundry equipment and other impedimenta that are running around the Apron in an uncontrolled and bizarre fashion unaware that Tanker 2 is about to start and depart. Ops have, in the meantime, advised that – because the Tanker 2 C-130 (ex-MRR) hadn’t been refuelled yet - it’s light enough to depart RW 26 on 3000ft from the middle apron access taxiway and has – at least – some fuel to give to Q1.

Tanker 2 STOLs off RW 26 and joins the airborne melee – but with little giveaway fuel for Q1 if its to carry sufficient diversion fuel for Montevideo.

While all this is going on, at the same time there was a Chinook with a stuck transmit switch trying to get into ‘Replen’ and regaling the world on his views on life in the FIs in general and ATC units who wouldn’t answer his calls in particular. (Never thought to look at the cab for the green light that a) would have given him permission to cross the RW and land-on at Replen and b) given him the hint that all might not be well with the world RT-wise.)

At this point hysteria is breaking out in the twr cupola as Smudger and I were laughing fit to burst with the inevitable “What’s going to happen next?”

Enter the Royal Navy…..

We don’t know, but strongly suspect, that an RN ECM operator decided to listen-in to the excitement on the Twr frequency but had patently set his gear to broadcast barrage noise on whatever frequency he was monitoring, communication capacity became – at best - limited. As we played ‘chase me around the frequencies’ so followed the noise jamming a few seconds later. It was during this period that OC Air Wing announced words to the effect that the Herc was to continue to refuel the F4 until dry tanks and then throw himself bravely into the South Atlantic while the F4 landed or diverted. The Herc captain’s response was to the effect “I’m not doing that for anyone!” and promptly Foxtrot Oscared to Montevideo! Leaving Q1 with the sole option of landing on 26 and taking a wire (as normal) but with the potential benefit of a fully fuelled C-130 acting as the ultimate barrier as opposed to a 'stop-end' cable arrestment.

The Harriers returned first, RVL’ed onto 26 and pushed back into Hardet while Q1 made an uneventful approach end arrestment into the BAK-13, which was still in use at that time.

The Herc was slowly recovered to the apron and Ops normal returned over a period of a few hours – but I will never forget that couple of hours of sheer unbelievable co-incidents.
Oh? The incoming raid? We were told that the ‘High Speed’ raid plotted by FIADGE turned out to be a Wessex Mk 3 Humphrey doing his ship/shore routine transit and probably going flat out at 90 kts. However, I cannot attest to the veracity of that element of this story, because that was only heresay; but the rest of it – absolutely true.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1053/raf_stanley_1235c4d8a751bcdeeb090de8e18edc8b3a5d1a10.gif

[wiggy]

Downwind.Maddl-Land

Thanks for that very comprehensive account....glad to see it ties in at least to some degree with my previous notes on the day and shows I've still got at least a few functioning bits of memory..

"it was also normal for the F-4s to stream their chutes just prior to touchdown too – presumably as a ‘belt and braces’ option"..

It was..and I got a right ********* from another squadron's QFI when I did the same out of habit just after I got back to the UK...

Oh, and also thanks (all) for the reminder about the various cables.......

[MPN11]

The 'sporting arrival' of the F-4s resulted in some interesting hook dents in the AM-2 at the approach end, where the last 2 planks sloped down to ground level at about 20º. A couple of them showed that they had come very close to engaging the end of the runway instead of the cables! It was surmised on 23/Phandet that pilots were ducking under the PAPI glide path to give themselves the maximum possible runway to play with. In 83 I used to give new F-4 crews an airfield tour, pointing out the hook dents as a reminder to stick to the glide path.

Gotcha!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1607x1626/scan_f48c657658d09a75748cc5b397d91ef5f4af30cc.jpeg

[ancientaviator62]

Fascinating recollections . Biggest a/c we ever tanked. Always seemed to push the basket up and away to the left as viewed from my station.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x540/hercules_aar_nimrod_2__235fd08e91f1715a655ab6e19fb69c5908e3b 00e.jpg

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

Cracking photo MPN11! Couldn't possibly be after one of my talkdowns - far too near the centreline! (Night arrestments, with all the sparks, were especially 'cool'!)

[Nil_Drift]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/647x677/mail_drop_dd755f83ec9ccd5266078414d91139eee5e50250.jpg
Mail Drop - Grytviken, South Georgia

Brings back the memories. I wasn't happy with the ALM when he decided to tease the residents of Grytviken who were waiting for their "Blueys" after a long period of isolation. We informed the Zodiac boat driver that the first run was their mail. When I called "Green On", the Loadie lobbed out a loose bag of blank Blueys which flutter down like chaff all over the water. The resultant R/T call from the Zodiac did not follow protocol and it couldn't be written here!

[F34]

Just to add to the thread, whilst not a Hercules per-se the L100 we used in Afghanistan regularly moved fuel using internal fuel tank.
We flew on average 6 days a week into many bases, some known and some people didnt know about.
2nd mission into Tarin Kowt 12 months after the Australians pulled out and we took small arms fire in port wing and ramp. Patched it up and flew back to Kandahar but patch failed coming into landing which made for interesting time.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x840/screenshot_2022_11_18_at_20_30_23_40ff665c76c48c90265c89d245 62f7e0166477b6.png
15,000ltr fuel tank with filter/pumpset to offload.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/625x685/screenshot_2022_11_18_at_20_30_55_e1941cc2a5001b92f90620a5ad f7c9b36d707681.png
Farah Airfield where previous night US Special Forces had taken over the airfield and we fly in to deliver fuel into the bags.

[VX275]

I've found a photo from the ASRA trial. It shows just how cramped the space was in the tanker Herc. The photographer is stood on the ramp in the space between the HDU and fuselage wall that the observer's seat would be stowed to allow the ASRA (visible between the HDU support frame) to be rolled into the doorway. Just forward of the doorway can be seen the stowage for the pyrotechnics. They may have been handy for the observer but as can be seen they were also close to the Andover tank.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1515/tanker_asra_0001_2__5cd9c9d788e89fe83bf44698d03df706dc2c9568 .jpg

[fergineer]

Been in both positions there Ancient, as a receiver and then tanking them

[ancientaviator62]

VX275,
a very interesting picture thanks. Not keen on the roller on the floor for obvious reasons.

[Peter G-W]

Could someone provide some details please on the ECM/ESM pod on the starboard wing tip in the photo at #43?

[DeanoP]

Ref Post No 74.
Regret poor photo which shows, in part, the HDU control unit (top left) and the ECM pod control unit (below E290 radar). All situated at the Nav station. Photo taken on Fishery Patrol in the Falklands (see Lat/Long display)
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/805x1199/dean026_c1dd4b88fbe749e7064ef06d7da3cee6024b77e3.jpg

[Mactlsm1]

Believe it is a MAROC Pod (Orange Crop ESM)

Mac

[ExAscoteer2]

Believe it is a MAROC Pod (Orange Crop ESM)

Inseed it is. Originally fitted to RN Helos as Orange Crop, colloquially known on Albert as MAROC - Marshall's Orange Crop - Marshalls at Cambridge did the fitment.