C130J Hercules 10th Anniversary
Dengue Dude
While you are portraying yourself as the world's greatest wind-up artist and the rest of us are thinking you are a bitter old f@rt, just consider the facts...
The C130J arrived in 1999 directly onto a squadron with the RAF as the lead customer; no OEU, no clearances, no experience on type, no OCU. Just a few C130K crews who had done a Lockheed Martin factory course on a raw airframe with basic software, which amounted to not much more than medium-level flying A to B and LM telling them how great the aircraft that they were selling us was. Compare that, at the time with the K and its 25 years of operational experience, tac clearances and more manuals than the British Library.
Imagine my surprise when a few individuals - remember no Nav or Flt Eng on this new-fangled aircraft - scoffed at the lack of ability of this raw airframe. Now fast forward 10 years and see what the aircraft can do. Whether you like it or not, it has a proven track record since 2003 and is the airframe of choice by the Army in theatre. Please go and Google some random, irrelevant 5 year old reports by another nation or recall your (alleged) conversation with someone 10 years ago who thought it may not be any good... but better still listen or talk to current operators or customers. You may learn something...
The C130J arrived in 1999 directly onto a squadron with the RAF as the lead customer; no OEU, no clearances, no experience on type, no OCU. Just a few C130K crews who had done a Lockheed Martin factory course on a raw airframe with basic software, which amounted to not much more than medium-level flying A to B and LM telling them how great the aircraft that they were selling us was. Compare that, at the time with the K and its 25 years of operational experience, tac clearances and more manuals than the British Library.
Imagine my surprise when a few individuals - remember no Nav or Flt Eng on this new-fangled aircraft - scoffed at the lack of ability of this raw airframe. Now fast forward 10 years and see what the aircraft can do. Whether you like it or not, it has a proven track record since 2003 and is the airframe of choice by the Army in theatre. Please go and Google some random, irrelevant 5 year old reports by another nation or recall your (alleged) conversation with someone 10 years ago who thought it may not be any good... but better still listen or talk to current operators or customers. You may learn something...
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Lockstock.
You appear to have at least some knowledge of the C130 fleets within the RAF.
So when questioned about the lack of RAF AT assets, some government spokesman proudly says that 'we' have 60 C130's in service, do you think that it may be the truth, and not just airframes that have been stretched a little
BTW, I have not heard this conversation, but feel sure something like it must have been said at some stage
Now I must put away this large clockwork key/wooden spoon (delete as appropriate)
You appear to have at least some knowledge of the C130 fleets within the RAF.
So when questioned about the lack of RAF AT assets, some government spokesman proudly says that 'we' have 60 C130's in service, do you think that it may be the truth, and not just airframes that have been stretched a little
BTW, I have not heard this conversation, but feel sure something like it must have been said at some stage
Now I must put away this large clockwork key/wooden spoon (delete as appropriate)
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Oh Lockstock, please drown yourself in your barrel of vitriol.
Humour is funny to some but not to others, get over it.
In Yorkshire there is a great phrase.
'Get yoursen felt'.
Endex.
Humour is funny to some but not to others, get over it.
In Yorkshire there is a great phrase.
'Get yoursen felt'.
Endex.
Dengue dude
Just doing what you seem unable to do; provide a few facts.
Ever feel that you are a lone voice in a large crowd...?
btw, thanks for the PM - it meant nothing.
.
Last edited by Lockstock; 9th Nov 2009 at 19:20.
Believe you me. as one who as the G.E. was on the trip to Marietta, it was certainly no jolly. Two days in Atlanta and then fly to Denver, pick up a load of marines on exercise, back to Marietta and then home with the people we took to Marietta for the photoshoot. The only good bits were the Lockheed brief on the H.T.P. and the airborne photoshoot formatting on a photo ship Mitchell. The Mitchell pilot wasn't too keen on close formation with a Herk so our captain told him to fly along and we would do the formation bit. This did involve at one point trying to get the probe as close to the tail position of the Mitchell as possible, close enough to get the photographer laying in the open tailcone to move further back up the fuselage. Well done Obe!
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wow DD you are such a wag!!!!
All along it was just a wind-up, and there was me just thinking you were a 'male game bird' or a 'small vertical sided, round topped pile of hay'!
How about next time you start a thread titled 'The C130J - 10 years on and look at what great support it is giving to our troops on ops'
. Gone on, you can do something worthwhile and positive rather than unfunny and vindictive that quite frankly undermines the efforts of all on ops as the thread is read by many who are not in the know.
TWO
Ps Stoppers - have a good one and keep your head down. see you soon.
Happiness is 70 tonnes, a HUD and a Hobnob!
All along it was just a wind-up, and there was me just thinking you were a 'male game bird' or a 'small vertical sided, round topped pile of hay'!
How about next time you start a thread titled 'The C130J - 10 years on and look at what great support it is giving to our troops on ops'
. Gone on, you can do something worthwhile and positive rather than unfunny and vindictive that quite frankly undermines the efforts of all on ops as the thread is read by many who are not in the know.TWO
Ps Stoppers - have a good one and keep your head down. see you soon.
Happiness is 70 tonnes, a HUD and a Hobnob!
Tightgit
10 years of the J eh! I remember going to the 25th anniversary of the Herc meeting at Greenham Common in 1979.
(dunno what that's got to do with anything I just thought I'd lighten the mood)!
(dunno what that's got to do with anything I just thought I'd lighten the mood)!
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Oh dear, a strong feeling of deju vu, I thought the 'K v J' debate was put to bed years ago as the weight of evidence, rather than spite & prejudice, proved that the J was doing an admirable job.
DD, can you give a list of military aircraft that hit the ground running with all their clearances, post 1960 ish? Let's not forget that the J faced huge institutional opposition from those AT operators who had no seat aboard, and even went as far as to cancel test programmes that would have obtained said clearances much sooner.
The 10th anniversary should be a moment of celebration for an aircraft that is, along with the C17, the backbone of current AT Ops and without which the UK military could not carry on. The boys and girls of XXIV & 30 Sqns have been continuously in harms way since Ops began, joined more recently by 47J, and are doing a superb job. The K, RIP, simply cannot provide the frames anymore; as an ex - K operator I have enormous respect & affection for its past contribution, but Canute has wet feet now and we have to look forwards not behind us.
Happy birthday, Albert J!
DD, can you give a list of military aircraft that hit the ground running with all their clearances, post 1960 ish? Let's not forget that the J faced huge institutional opposition from those AT operators who had no seat aboard, and even went as far as to cancel test programmes that would have obtained said clearances much sooner.
The 10th anniversary should be a moment of celebration for an aircraft that is, along with the C17, the backbone of current AT Ops and without which the UK military could not carry on. The boys and girls of XXIV & 30 Sqns have been continuously in harms way since Ops began, joined more recently by 47J, and are doing a superb job. The K, RIP, simply cannot provide the frames anymore; as an ex - K operator I have enormous respect & affection for its past contribution, but Canute has wet feet now and we have to look forwards not behind us.
Happy birthday, Albert J!
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SVK
Indeed. Forum rules prevent me from expanding any further.
I have an image of the 10th Anniversary Print. I believe it is a stunning piece of artwork
Could a moderator drop me a quick PM giving me permission to post the image?
Now, I am going to bite myself and ask SPHLC is anybody selling this new work of art and whether or not he might know a good picture framer!!!
I have an image of the 10th Anniversary Print. I believe it is a stunning piece of artwork
Could a moderator drop me a quick PM giving me permission to post the image?
and they've more than made up for it subsequently.
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10 years!
What an awesome aircraft.
Cut my teeth flying around Iraq, knew that the J was pretty good. Wasnt till I started working in Afghan that I realised how good.
Climbing out of Kabul knowing that SALT could be made if we lost an engine.
Shuttles to Bastion with gas for the day, 10-12t down the back, NOS onto a 4000' strip.
10t into Chagcharan (how high is it there? About 8500' or so?)
Absolutely loved my time on the J and still amazed that it is still so far advanced in many ways over anything else flying in an AT role, civvy or mil.
What an awesome aircraft.
Cut my teeth flying around Iraq, knew that the J was pretty good. Wasnt till I started working in Afghan that I realised how good.
Climbing out of Kabul knowing that SALT could be made if we lost an engine.
Shuttles to Bastion with gas for the day, 10-12t down the back, NOS onto a 4000' strip.
10t into Chagcharan (how high is it there? About 8500' or so?)
Absolutely loved my time on the J and still amazed that it is still so far advanced in many ways over anything else flying in an AT role, civvy or mil.
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As an ex Air Eng on the K, I left EDGL not long after the J frames arrived. I admit to being somewhat sceptical of the new plastic fantastic aircraft. Yes, it took time to get a lot of the clearances, yes, it took time for the crews to become familiar with it. In fact all of the associated problems that you get with any new frame coming into service, especially as the 'launch' customer.
Roll on a few years and, now in a different life, I found myself in Iraq and using the J service quite a lot. Because of my background I spent most of those trips 'up front', chatting to old mates and taking more than a casual interest of how the J was operated and any limitations I could see. All I can say is that the crews love it, they say it flys like a dream. Yes, it was very strange sitting in the jumpseat and having no instruments to check on the T/O roll, trying to get used to the MFD outputs, of course the master race had their HUDs. When doing anything a bit 'meaty' the Loady then took the role of the third pair of eyes on the flight deck. All I can say is that it works and seems to be getting better all of the time.
I still believe that for 'certain' roles they need a dedicated third man, but that aside, unfortunately some may say, the future is J. The K will continue to provide an exemplary service until it is withdrawn, kicking and screaming, from service.........much like I was
Roll on a few years and, now in a different life, I found myself in Iraq and using the J service quite a lot. Because of my background I spent most of those trips 'up front', chatting to old mates and taking more than a casual interest of how the J was operated and any limitations I could see. All I can say is that the crews love it, they say it flys like a dream. Yes, it was very strange sitting in the jumpseat and having no instruments to check on the T/O roll, trying to get used to the MFD outputs, of course the master race had their HUDs. When doing anything a bit 'meaty' the Loady then took the role of the third pair of eyes on the flight deck. All I can say is that it works and seems to be getting better all of the time.
I still believe that for 'certain' roles they need a dedicated third man, but that aside, unfortunately some may say, the future is J. The K will continue to provide an exemplary service until it is withdrawn, kicking and screaming, from service.........much like I was
Top Bunk Tester--what a nice and well-balanced reply. I agree entirely--yes, we were a bit cautious when the J arrived, remember the J glider (that sat on the pan for ages) (much mirth en-route to 47 and LXX) when there were the shortage of engine problems--but hey ho folks we all move on and sometimes it is for the better--from an outsiders view-point I think the J is to be commended as indeed are all their crews. Shame they don't have space for a 61 year old nav.
Last edited by OKOC; 11th Nov 2009 at 17:18. Reason: Sp
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Shhhhhhh....
Listen....
I think DD has finally buggered off.
Brilliant, now we can get down to saying nice things about the 'plastic fantastic'. An ac I happen to have a lot of time for, seeing as I've been on it for nearly ten years.
Oh, and SPHLC, top print by the way, don't post it here though, as I may have bought it as a present for someone who may be reading this.....
Listen....
I think DD has finally buggered off.
Brilliant, now we can get down to saying nice things about the 'plastic fantastic'. An ac I happen to have a lot of time for, seeing as I've been on it for nearly ten years.
Oh, and SPHLC, top print by the way, don't post it here though, as I may have bought it as a present for someone who may be reading this.....
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SPHLC,
Any chance we can have a look at the print? Can you put an image on here or something? Might be keen to get one off you but want to check the number of blades before I order anything!
Cheers Mate,
Juliet
Any chance we can have a look at the print? Can you put an image on here or something? Might be keen to get one off you but want to check the number of blades before I order anything!
Cheers Mate,
Juliet
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Unless the Mods relent, I'm not going to get this thread locked by posting an image, as it would be advertising (even though it is a break-even project)
PM me.
If you googled for the obvious words, you might get a look...
... at your Xmas prezzie, grey_not_green's partner/parent
The reason it has suddenly gone all polite on this thread is that word has finally hit the crewrooms that there will be a free beer situation coming up soon. Very shallow, us Ascoteers
PM me.
If you googled for the obvious words, you might get a look...
... at your Xmas prezzie, grey_not_green's partner/parent
The reason it has suddenly gone all polite on this thread is that word has finally hit the crewrooms that there will be a free beer situation coming up soon. Very shallow, us Ascoteers
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Hi all,
i was just reading through the posts about the herc when i worked for fedex, ACL operated one DUB-STN-CDG which i used to load.
Just a few questions on the military herc were would the navigator sit is the flight deck layout different or is there a civi verson?.
I remember jumpseating on it the crew who i worked with were mostly ex RAF/RAAF/SAAF&USAF great bunch of guys.
i was just reading through the posts about the herc when i worked for fedex, ACL operated one DUB-STN-CDG which i used to load.
Just a few questions on the military herc were would the navigator sit is the flight deck layout different or is there a civi verson?.
I remember jumpseating on it the crew who i worked with were mostly ex RAF/RAAF/SAAF&USAF great bunch of guys.