Hercules Convoy
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Hercules Convoy
I just saw a large convoy of Hercules aircraft (all in grey livery) flying over the West Midlands (approx 3.00pm).
The aircraft were flying in two groups of 5, all except 1 looked to be C130J's (one was noticably shorter). Although to be honest I am just guessing at the variants.
Just curious as to the reason for such a large movement of aircraft.
M!KE
The aircraft were flying in two groups of 5, all except 1 looked to be C130J's (one was noticably shorter). Although to be honest I am just guessing at the variants.
Just curious as to the reason for such a large movement of aircraft.
M!KE
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There was due to be an exercise involving a large amount of paradropping around about now (I think 15 C-130's were mentioned), I don't have the details here at work but I wonder if this could be what you saw?
Incidentally there are 2 variants of C-130J's, known as C4's and C5's in RAF service, although I forget which is the standard length aircraft and which is the "stretched" version (I suspect C4 and C5 in that order...)
PHX
Incidentally there are 2 variants of C-130J's, known as C4's and C5's in RAF service, although I forget which is the standard length aircraft and which is the "stretched" version (I suspect C4 and C5 in that order...)
PHX
Incidentally there are 2 variants of C-130J's, known as C4's and C5's in RAF service, although I forget which is the standard length aircraft and which is the "stretched" version (I suspect C4 and C5 in that order...)
I think it was around 1971 when I went flying as a UAS APO on one of those JATFOR formation meat-bombing trips on EX. CHAMPION HURDLE. We were number 33 out of 36 Hercs in the formation stream...
And now, 33 years later, the RAF manages.........12.
There's progress for you.
And now, 33 years later, the RAF manages.........12.
There's progress for you.
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HERCULES CONVOY
Ah, happy days Beagle, 42 number three engines starting simultaneously on the pan at Lyneham at the start of the exercise, 37 plus spare aircraft. An awesome sight and great to be a part of it. Despite the spacing on take off, by the time the aircraft in the 'teens were getting airborne in the turbulence from the leaders, there were some exciting sights.
Red On, Green On
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6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac
Saves time at the baggage reclaim as well.
quote:
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6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac
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Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
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6 x K, 6 x J & loads of people jumping out of serviceable ac
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Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
LXXIV - yes, the cloud of brown smoke which rose majestically over Rompers Green on the day start up was quite spectacular! I watched the start and take-off, then we raced off to the DZ to watch the meat bombing. Then the next formation was the night one - the one I was on. Interestingly as we ran in from Trevose Head we went via Merryfield and I was close enough to home to wave!
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Hi Gang;
quote.....
Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
endquote.....
Now who is trying to ignite things???
without your sort 'J' & 'K' get on quite well together.
Select neck switch to 'wind'.
Regards to Most
SFS
quote.....
Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
endquote.....
Now who is trying to ignite things???
without your sort 'J' & 'K' get on quite well together.
Select neck switch to 'wind'.
Regards to Most
SFS
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Should of been 11 Hercs but obviously 12
Ex Eagles eye at West Freugh airfield should of been the destination.
The helos have been doing a bit of moving at Westhill farm on 'the plain' beforehand, and at keevil and south cerney, and the second half the Ex should be up in the borders, otterburn and West freugh ect.
They did a nice airfield assault at Kemble this week, 10 chinooks, a few merlins etc.
Razor
Ex Eagles eye at West Freugh airfield should of been the destination.
The helos have been doing a bit of moving at Westhill farm on 'the plain' beforehand, and at keevil and south cerney, and the second half the Ex should be up in the borders, otterburn and West freugh ect.
They did a nice airfield assault at Kemble this week, 10 chinooks, a few merlins etc.
Razor
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792 airborne troops - and some wedge.
4 x stores platforms.
Britains finest shock troops, all onto a sodden bog mit jockland.
Golly, 12 hercs. Hardly rattle the ornaments on the mantlepeice nowadays! Guess that left a few 'spares' (broken ones) on the pan at the secret airbase in wiltshire soon to close down (give a decade or two).
LFOGOOTFW
ISITD
4 x stores platforms.
Britains finest shock troops, all onto a sodden bog mit jockland.
Golly, 12 hercs. Hardly rattle the ornaments on the mantlepeice nowadays! Guess that left a few 'spares' (broken ones) on the pan at the secret airbase in wiltshire soon to close down (give a decade or two).
LFOGOOTFW
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My logbook shows the big JATFOR formations took place in July 1972.
I had to dig deep into the loft to find the old logbook but it iwas interesting to see that the big formation trips were preceeded by a route trip Lyneham - Bermuda - Nassau - Freeport - Belize -Montego Bay - Barbados - Lages - Lyneham and followed by Lyneham - Gander - Offut - McClellon - Hickam - Wake - Guam - Changi - Gan - Bahrain - Lyneham.
How things have changed.
I had to dig deep into the loft to find the old logbook but it iwas interesting to see that the big formation trips were preceeded by a route trip Lyneham - Bermuda - Nassau - Freeport - Belize -Montego Bay - Barbados - Lages - Lyneham and followed by Lyneham - Gander - Offut - McClellon - Hickam - Wake - Guam - Changi - Gan - Bahrain - Lyneham.
How things have changed.
J Bloke
quote.....
Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
endquote.....
This wasn't an attempt to ignite anything, Just that it was nice to see a formation of J's. During my time on the aircraft, there were a 'few' hangar queens, and a pile in the bottom of J1 known as 889. Just glad to know the situation has improved.
quote.....
Nice to see that many Serviceable J's in the same area.
endquote.....
This wasn't an attempt to ignite anything, Just that it was nice to see a formation of J's. During my time on the aircraft, there were a 'few' hangar queens, and a pile in the bottom of J1 known as 889. Just glad to know the situation has improved.