Hercules XV185
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Devon UK
Hercules XV185
Many years ago I was lucky enough to get a couple of air experience flights aboard XV185 while visiting Lyneham with the ATC.
I wonder if anyone here has any memories of this aircraft? I understand it has now been disposed of.
One of the flights I took consisted of circuits and bumps. Myself and several others duly filled our nato issue bags. After landing we looked for somewhere to put them and duly found the nearest sand-filled bin. Other people had only put cigarettes in. I still feel guilty about that. Some poor *** must have cleaned up...
Thanks in advance.
I wonder if anyone here has any memories of this aircraft? I understand it has now been disposed of.
One of the flights I took consisted of circuits and bumps. Myself and several others duly filled our nato issue bags. After landing we looked for somewhere to put them and duly found the nearest sand-filled bin. Other people had only put cigarettes in. I still feel guilty about that. Some poor *** must have cleaned up...
Thanks in advance.
Nixor ut Ledo
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From: In a Beaut of a State
Did Honington-Gander, Gander-Cold Lake for Maple Flag in April 1981. Fifteen hours with yer legs up under yer chin and feet resting on a ground power unit. No such thing is DVT in them days!
Also did some continuation training Lyneham-Cardiff in Jul 87
Tell that to today's kids and they wouldn't believe yer!
Also did some continuation training Lyneham-Cardiff in Jul 87
Tell that to today's kids and they wouldn't believe yer!
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From: WILTSHIRE
Hercules XV 185
July 17th 1968, Exercise 2, 242 OCU Thorney Island, Captain was Denis N****n. I think that was the one where he feathered 1 & 2, to the slight dismay of all the ex Beverley student crew. Happy days !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Devon UK
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Looks like some logbooks have been out!
Back when I flew (early 80's) I was allowed to stand up front during a touch-and-go. I was quite safe, because a crewman had a grip on my belt! I hope todays ATC get the same opportunities.
I am amazed at what comes back from a google request...I admit I may have looked up this a/c before. I also see why XV208 is rather special. No chance of any connection there, Callsign Metman?
BTW Living in Kingsbridge (South Devon) I get to see lots of military stuff coming and going. The RN in Plymouth seem to have a war most Thursdays so if it's convenient I'd be obliged if anyone passing overhead could slow down and give a wave. Thanks.
Looks like some logbooks have been out!
Back when I flew (early 80's) I was allowed to stand up front during a touch-and-go. I was quite safe, because a crewman had a grip on my belt! I hope todays ATC get the same opportunities.
I am amazed at what comes back from a google request...I admit I may have looked up this a/c before. I also see why XV208 is rather special. No chance of any connection there, Callsign Metman?
BTW Living in Kingsbridge (South Devon) I get to see lots of military stuff coming and going. The RN in Plymouth seem to have a war most Thursdays so if it's convenient I'd be obliged if anyone passing overhead could slow down and give a wave. Thanks.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: UK after many years in the USA
Happy Days...
17th sortie on 242OCU with "Gentleman John St****rd" in the summer of '82
Next time to abuse the airframe was a "LL SW Keevil DZ ME/HP/FD" whatever the hell that all was in Summer '83 with a wonderful captain, and gentleman, who I believe went on to great things in Helos - Henry P.
Couple of other trips, of a longer duration, in the South Atlantic followed.
Would love to say XV185 stuck in my mind, but instead I'll happily reminisce more on the crews, and hope all are well.
Next time to abuse the airframe was a "LL SW Keevil DZ ME/HP/FD" whatever the hell that all was in Summer '83 with a wonderful captain, and gentleman, who I believe went on to great things in Helos - Henry P.
Couple of other trips, of a longer duration, in the South Atlantic followed.
Would love to say XV185 stuck in my mind, but instead I'll happily reminisce more on the crews, and hope all are well.
Joined: Mar 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Military
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From: sussex
ihoharv,
low level cross country, south west route, dropping zone was Keevil, manual ejection of (stores ! ) harness pack and finally a free drop of stores (no parachute ) from 50 feet (ish ). I have every Herc in my logbook except Snoopy I think. They are in the loft.
low level cross country, south west route, dropping zone was Keevil, manual ejection of (stores ! ) harness pack and finally a free drop of stores (no parachute ) from 50 feet (ish ). I have every Herc in my logbook except Snoopy I think. They are in the loft.
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From: Wiltshire
2-4 Dec 1987 OCU trainer Lye to Ottowa via Lajes and Gander needed MAMS support to load a Henly forklift in Ottowa being returned to UK when the RAF Det there was withdrawn. Introduced to H Wallbanger during the nightstops in Gander.
25-26 Feb 88 Andoya to Lye via Bardufoss, Bodo, Oerland, Sola and Wyton. Resupply/change various GSE in Norway. Originally left from Lye on XV300 but that went U/S and 185 took over the route.
16 Jul 1988 Lye to Keevil for Ex Fast Buzzard - 5 AB
25-26 Feb 88 Andoya to Lye via Bardufoss, Bodo, Oerland, Sola and Wyton. Resupply/change various GSE in Norway. Originally left from Lye on XV300 but that went U/S and 185 took over the route.
16 Jul 1988 Lye to Keevil for Ex Fast Buzzard - 5 AB
Last edited by November4; 23rd March 2007 at 15:56.
Joined: May 2006
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From: Norfolk swamps
I'm not sure 185 is there, but a look at !!!!!!!!!!!!!! for Georgetown & Hercules:
http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/search/phot...ne_version=6.0
will make you weep.
http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/search/phot...ne_version=6.0
will make you weep.
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From: UK
5 Aug 99 XV185 JGN45
Lyneham - Bruggen - Pristina (24 bird (flock) strike on take off) - Gioia del Colle (L/H rear brake fire) - Slip - XV177 - Bruggen (GTC fire) - (radar failure) & weather divert to Norwich. Actuals Curry.
Sewing Machine
Lyneham - Bruggen - Pristina (24 bird (flock) strike on take off) - Gioia del Colle (L/H rear brake fire) - Slip - XV177 - Bruggen (GTC fire) - (radar failure) & weather divert to Norwich. Actuals Curry.
Sewing Machine
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From: sussex
Jagrigger
having spent almost 30 yrs in and around the beast it does indeed make me weep to see those frames in such a sorry state.
Why could they not have donated one to the RAF Museum at Hendon or to Duxford or to Cosford ?. Whatever the FJ chaps may think it was by any reasonable definition a 'cold war warrior' without which few ops could have taken place.
having spent almost 30 yrs in and around the beast it does indeed make me weep to see those frames in such a sorry state.
Why could they not have donated one to the RAF Museum at Hendon or to Duxford or to Cosford ?. Whatever the FJ chaps may think it was by any reasonable definition a 'cold war warrior' without which few ops could have taken place.
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: EU Region 9 - apparently
Kingsbridge
Vitesse,
.
You wouldn't happen to know which particular resident spray painted my car there last weekend!
BTW Living in Kingsbridge (South Devon) I get to see lots of military stuff coming and going. The RN in Plymouth seem to have a war most Thursdays so if it's convenient I'd be obliged if anyone passing overhead could slow down and give a wave. Thanks
You wouldn't happen to know which particular resident spray painted my car there last weekend!
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Back in the USSR
Georgetown, Delaware!!
So THAT'S where it was!!
I was on a trip state-side travelling up the Eastern Seaboard on the return home when we got a request from RAFLO Dulles to bend in somewhere I never caught the name of (until just now!!) in order to pick up some role equipment (P-Strops etc) and some ovens from recently decommisioned old K-Models.
It was quite surreal to see a 'mini-Lyneham' parked up facing each other on that crappy bit of taxi-way. And if I recall correctly, on its own at the end of the line in a scene reminiscent of Stephen Kings 'Christine', was our arch-nemisis: XV-222
Even though I am not a spotter in any way whatsoever, it was sad to see frames I had spent many a happy hour in the back of sleeping off numerous monumental hangovers rotting away like that. What a shame.
But thanks for letting me know where the hell it was we had gone!!
So THAT'S where it was!!
I was on a trip state-side travelling up the Eastern Seaboard on the return home when we got a request from RAFLO Dulles to bend in somewhere I never caught the name of (until just now!!) in order to pick up some role equipment (P-Strops etc) and some ovens from recently decommisioned old K-Models.
It was quite surreal to see a 'mini-Lyneham' parked up facing each other on that crappy bit of taxi-way. And if I recall correctly, on its own at the end of the line in a scene reminiscent of Stephen Kings 'Christine', was our arch-nemisis: XV-222
Even though I am not a spotter in any way whatsoever, it was sad to see frames I had spent many a happy hour in the back of sleeping off numerous monumental hangovers rotting away like that. What a shame.
But thanks for letting me know where the hell it was we had gone!!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 302
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From: EGDL
195 looks like its crew after a night at Kreehsskebad in the bad (good!) old days of the 70’s and 80’s. Mind you the old timers pictured ARE in Albertheaven cos they’re near the BX and, double bonus, they may have an auntie or two lurking nearby.
Great to see them all again, kinda sad but the memories created by those frames and the places they took us to can never be erased.
PS Nice to see the probes are waiting for Maggie Mk2 (was that Snoopy?) and the next Falklands when I believe some of the Albert probes were bought at ridiculously inflated prices from a scrappy in Lincolnshire for the first Falklands shindig?
Great to see them all again, kinda sad but the memories created by those frames and the places they took us to can never be erased.
PS Nice to see the probes are waiting for Maggie Mk2 (was that Snoopy?) and the next Falklands when I believe some of the Albert probes were bought at ridiculously inflated prices from a scrappy in Lincolnshire for the first Falklands shindig?
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: WILTSHIRE
Digging out the logbooks, not only was I with November4 on the trip in Dec '87, but my very last route in the RAF was 25-28 June 1989, Conversion Squadron, XV 185, Lye-Goose-St Johns-Namao-St Johns-Lyneham. Not a very glamorous trip to finish 21 years on Albert, but plenty of good memories.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
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From: Lincolnshire
ancientaviator2, you raise an excellent point.
All our log books handed down over the generations will become food for cryptographers in the future.
For instance:
Ex Kinsman LL/RBS (UKLL PT12->WF Link)->Leconfield 3RBS
but you would have to know where I was based and what happened next to build the picture.
Perhaps one cold wet day we should go through our log books and decode them for our heirs.
All our log books handed down over the generations will become food for cryptographers in the future.
For instance:
Ex Kinsman LL/RBS (UKLL PT12->WF Link)->Leconfield 3RBS
but you would have to know where I was based and what happened next to build the picture.
Perhaps one cold wet day we should go through our log books and decode them for our heirs.
