Herc overhead console

[ex_matelot]

I once had the pleasure of a jolly flight around the Falkland Islands in a Herc. I was in the rear jumpseat (under the bubble) for the landing. As soon as we touched down I noticed a Sgt, not one of the pilots got up and retarded 4 levers on the console in succesion.

Can anyone tell me what they were and why the Captain or Co-pilot did not do it?

Thanks

[airborne_artist]

What's the point of having staff if you still have to do all the work.

If the Army operated Albert it would be flown by a S/Sgt and a Corporal

[OmegaV6]

Herc overhead console

I once had the pleasure of a jolly flight around the Falkland Islands in a Herc. I was in the rear jumpseat (under the bubble) for the landing. As soon as we touched down I noticed a Sgt, not one of the pilots got up and retarded 4 levers on the console in succesion.

Can anyone tell me what they were and why the Captain or Co-pilot did not do it?

Thanks

You have me confused ... in just under 10,000 hours on the Hercules I don't remember any levers on the overhead console and I looked at it many, many times ...... I also don't remember anyone "getting up" as soon as touch down occurred .. mostly we were hanging on tight as the 2-winged master race put all 4 throttles to max reverse simultaneously - Ok sometimes in symetrical pairs - any other action being met by a swift response from myself .... no "levers" ever moved "in succession" at that point !!!

[Kreuger flap]

Did you happen to notice if the Sgt was there when you took off or did he suddenly appear out of nowhere. Also did he have a badge on his chest with the letter "E" on it?

[ex_matelot]

I'm pretty certain it was a Herc - the arse end lowered in flight and everything. There were definitely 4 levers of some sort on the overhead panel.

It was 2001 and it was an outbound RAF squadron who hosted the flight.
What other type of aircraft could it have been?

[Kreuger flap]

Did it have 4 propellers and was there a strong smell of piss in one corner of the flight deck?

[ex_matelot]

Yes, and the smell of piss came from the Sgt.

Just looked on google images - the levers are on the overhead console with black & yellow hatching behind them.

[Top Bunk Tester]

Did it go very quiet after he pulled them? Closely followed by everyone running away?

[ex_matelot]

On second thoughts - Think I'll get a better answer if I ask on Arrse - more real pilots there.



oooeuuuurrrrrggghhhh !

[Kreuger flap]

Think I'll get a better answer if I ask on Arrse

Good luck with that one fella.

[ex_matelot]

Cheers, thanks!

Want me to tell you all the answer when I find out? - It may make you look good if anyone else asks a related question!

[taxydual]

Oh for God's sake!!

It's easy.

Turning off the oven containing the crew pies.

[ex_matelot]

Cheers Taxy! That explains it!

Thanks!

[Tea White Zero]

oh come guys be nice and put him out of his misery with the T-Handles!....

or were they to disarm the top secret afterburners and lasers??? oops just let the cat out of the bag!

TWZ

[Pontius Navigator]

Now real aircraft had real sergeants to pull real levers.

As the trusty bus from 1066 glided gracefully over the boundary fence the pilot, both hands manfully engaged on the control wheel, would order "Slow Cuts" where upon the paid help in the engine room would respond with "Slow Cut" and things got quieter.

[sycamore]

Was it Aden ,or Gan, a Hastings on approach got a bit low and slow on short Finals,the Captain called the Eng (facing backwards and expecting `slow cut`) .`` Take-off Power`,so the Eng did...and they all got very wet...

[glojo]

The mystery has been solved.

On a different thread a video has been posted which demonstrates this lever\levers being operated

Here we go just look at them 32 seconds into the footage.

[MFC_Fly]

What a top video - thanks for posting the link

[Top Bunk Tester]

Still can't see any levers ......

[Kreuger flap]

If you look closely you can see the steam coming from the working parts of that panel.