Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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ken,
The item was MAROC(Marshalls Orange Crop) , a step up from hand held RWR kit.
The item was MAROC(Marshalls Orange Crop) , a step up from hand held RWR kit.
I think its interesting that they hung the antenna below the wingtip rather than embedding it in the wingtip similar to the S-3/CP-140 ESM antenna installation. Maybe hanging it below makes it easier to mod and de-mod.
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AA62, Sorry I had no input at all to the wing mounted pods.
I do have knowledge of the Ex Vulcan RWR ARI 18228/1 which went on Chinook, Puma and our SAR Sea Kings for FIMPA. I did have a hand in some avionic equipment installations on the K circa 1982 and W Mk2 (probably 1988) and a few special fits on the J when Airdrop was becoming more sophisticated than bits of cloth string and plywood.
I often wondered if the wing tip pods on the Herc were similar to those on the Nimrod Mk2. The ones we fitted to the R were different altogether.
Ken,
One thing that Marshalls were very good at was doing things very quickly. may not have been all that sanitary but worked. Cost vs Time vs performance. I think AA62 has already recounted earlier about the tanker and even the probe fits that were undertaken by Marshall in short order.
I do have knowledge of the Ex Vulcan RWR ARI 18228/1 which went on Chinook, Puma and our SAR Sea Kings for FIMPA. I did have a hand in some avionic equipment installations on the K circa 1982 and W Mk2 (probably 1988) and a few special fits on the J when Airdrop was becoming more sophisticated than bits of cloth string and plywood.
I often wondered if the wing tip pods on the Herc were similar to those on the Nimrod Mk2. The ones we fitted to the R were different altogether.
Ken,
One thing that Marshalls were very good at was doing things very quickly. may not have been all that sanitary but worked. Cost vs Time vs performance. I think AA62 has already recounted earlier about the tanker and even the probe fits that were undertaken by Marshall in short order.
Drag,
Your comments re Marshalls definately hit bullseye. I first met them in 71 at Colerne, even then they were supporting the engineering task on the K. That followed through on both ALSS, Ground Engineers and AES at Lyneham. They were a good bunch of guys, who got the job done, and fitted nicely with the service element of Albert support. My only theory on why the wingtip pods were "under slung" would be that we were interested in a ground threat, and under slung gave it an unobstructed view of terra firma.
Smudge
Your comments re Marshalls definately hit bullseye. I first met them in 71 at Colerne, even then they were supporting the engineering task on the K. That followed through on both ALSS, Ground Engineers and AES at Lyneham. They were a good bunch of guys, who got the job done, and fitted nicely with the service element of Albert support. My only theory on why the wingtip pods were "under slung" would be that we were interested in a ground threat, and under slung gave it an unobstructed view of terra firma.
Smudge
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Smuge,
My uninformed guess would be more along the lines of- it was a structurally more simple installation without the need to reposition Nav lamps and other things. and could be accomplished quickly.
I will have a chat with their chief aerodynamicist of the era next week when I see him. perhaps he can shed some light.
When I was challenged to fit MAWS sensors to a jet, I found a very simple solution to the forward facing ones. Cable runs dictated a few constraints.
My uninformed guess would be more along the lines of- it was a structurally more simple installation without the need to reposition Nav lamps and other things. and could be accomplished quickly.
I will have a chat with their chief aerodynamicist of the era next week when I see him. perhaps he can shed some light.
When I was challenged to fit MAWS sensors to a jet, I found a very simple solution to the forward facing ones. Cable runs dictated a few constraints.
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No, MAROC was an entirely different system to YELLOW GATE fitted to Nimrod MR2; the latter was derived from an American system, indeed the display on the Flight Deck was the same as that fitted to F15. The YELLOW GATE fitted to the R1 was the same as that fitted to the MR2.
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The YELLOW GATE fitted to the R1 was the same as that fitted to the MR2.
dragartist asked about the Herc, he knows about the Nimrod pods.
Yellow Gate was not fitted to the R1 and the wingtip pods fitted to the MR2 and R1 were quite different. Roughly same shape and colour on the outside, but as the old proverb says, it's what on the inside that counts!
Anyway, back to Albert.
S-D
Last edited by salad-dodger; 5th Dec 2014 at 07:09.
smudge,
got my screeching in certificate when I was on Hastings. Ah the Bermudiana and the Castle Harbour hotels in Bermuda ! Do they still exist ?
Back to my Barbados tale. But first a pic of our basha taken from the boat that took us on a sunset rum punch cruise. Needless to say the supply did not last long.
When the Caribbean islands became independent they had an arrangement that in the event of trouble on one island (coup etc) the others would come and help. As they had no transport a/c we and the u/s would supply.
So on the 24 June 1972 we set off in XV 300 to carry out this task.
As the USAF were providing more a/c they ran the scheduling.
I have to 'fess up to a minor run in with the lady Aerial Port. Major i/c the loads. They way it was initially set up had myself and the GE doing what I considered to be more re-roling than necessary. The result of our discussion was that she would give us the days task and we would arrange it for a minimum of a/c re roling. That is how we carried on shuttling around the Islands.
Shortly after we arrived there a S/L from group turned up (complete with wife) to 'observe and report' ! A nice jolly !
Part way through the task we were asked by the High Commission if we could fly some of them and some local worthies around the island.
We asked group who agreed provided the a/c was rigged as per the Families' Day Flying SOP. So we did scenic tour one for those lucky enough to get a 'ticket'.
We were asked by the Major if we would do a special to Roosevelt Roads to pick up some priority cargo and a few of the troops. When we got there we had to wait for this cargo to arrive and their rep was a bit reticent about what it was. We soon found out. It was all 'white goods' washers fridges freezers and the like. They must have cleaned out the BX at the place.
On arrival back at Barbados we were met by a curious Major who went bananas when she saw the 'priority cargo' . We of course were not bothered in the least.
We came home via Bermuda and then direct to Lyneham.
got my screeching in certificate when I was on Hastings. Ah the Bermudiana and the Castle Harbour hotels in Bermuda ! Do they still exist ?
Back to my Barbados tale. But first a pic of our basha taken from the boat that took us on a sunset rum punch cruise. Needless to say the supply did not last long.
When the Caribbean islands became independent they had an arrangement that in the event of trouble on one island (coup etc) the others would come and help. As they had no transport a/c we and the u/s would supply.
So on the 24 June 1972 we set off in XV 300 to carry out this task.
As the USAF were providing more a/c they ran the scheduling.
I have to 'fess up to a minor run in with the lady Aerial Port. Major i/c the loads. They way it was initially set up had myself and the GE doing what I considered to be more re-roling than necessary. The result of our discussion was that she would give us the days task and we would arrange it for a minimum of a/c re roling. That is how we carried on shuttling around the Islands.
Shortly after we arrived there a S/L from group turned up (complete with wife) to 'observe and report' ! A nice jolly !
Part way through the task we were asked by the High Commission if we could fly some of them and some local worthies around the island.
We asked group who agreed provided the a/c was rigged as per the Families' Day Flying SOP. So we did scenic tour one for those lucky enough to get a 'ticket'.
We were asked by the Major if we would do a special to Roosevelt Roads to pick up some priority cargo and a few of the troops. When we got there we had to wait for this cargo to arrive and their rep was a bit reticent about what it was. We soon found out. It was all 'white goods' washers fridges freezers and the like. They must have cleaned out the BX at the place.
On arrival back at Barbados we were met by a curious Major who went bananas when she saw the 'priority cargo' . We of course were not bothered in the least.
We came home via Bermuda and then direct to Lyneham.
AA62,
Bless my soul, the Grand Barbados, the pier restaurant was a cracker for breakfast. I heard that the Bermudiana was demolished, or burned down in the early 90s, we then used to stay at The Grotto Beach
This is the bar, under the hotel. It was in a sea cave that was illuminated from below. You could stand on the balcony, Dark and Stormy in hand and watch rays and sharks swim past below. Those were the days.
Smudge
Bless my soul, the Grand Barbados, the pier restaurant was a cracker for breakfast. I heard that the Bermudiana was demolished, or burned down in the early 90s, we then used to stay at The Grotto Beach
This is the bar, under the hotel. It was in a sea cave that was illuminated from below. You could stand on the balcony, Dark and Stormy in hand and watch rays and sharks swim past below. Those were the days.
Smudge
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Dark and Stormys
In the Cock and Feather in Hamilton one evening, the wrong side of quite a few of these -it's amazing how innocuous they taste- Our skipper, one A*** S**** made a terrible mistake. It all went in slow motion but in the crowded bar on the balcony looking over the harbourside where the cruise ships were disgorging thousands of pax, he inadvertently knocked off the ash from his fag on one of the most perfectly rounded female bottoms on the island. So far, so good. Where it all went wrong was when he tried to brush it off with the back of his hand, dropping the fag at the same time. The outraged owner of said bum spun round and clouted the woman standing the other side of Andy while he was bent over retrieving his errant snout.
The crew just managed to drag the bemused and slightly surprised skipper out of the bar as this humungous cat fight developed into an audience participation game. "Lucky to get out of there in time" he declared.
Bless
The crew just managed to drag the bemused and slightly surprised skipper out of the bar as this humungous cat fight developed into an audience participation game. "Lucky to get out of there in time" he declared.
Bless
Fond memories of being despatched from the party room in the Hamilton Princess as a Student Nav/Student Captain pair to get in some booze for the compulsory hours-long debrief. In the local supermarket we were approached by a large chap wearing a pair of the shorts that the island was famed for; he claimed he owned the supermarket and having heard our British accents would like to invite us over to his house for a drink to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Faced with the possibility of being used as sex toys by locals or going back to the Staff Captain's interminable stories (he was renowned for not letting the studes get out and about in the town), we almost knocked each other over in the rush to get into our new best friend's van.
It turned out that he did own the supermarket (as well as a sizeable chunk of the island_. He had his own rum blended for him by an importer and it was freely available from a barrel in his back garden (where he also kept pot-bellied pigs who would take your feet out from under you when they heard the tap being turned on the barrel). He invited over a few friends who included a WWII USAF pilot who flew Liberators, his son (a Rhodes Scholar) and a few of the local bigwigs. Five hours of fascinating conversation and amazing hospitality later he took us back to the supermarket and presented us with a slab of beer and a litre bottle of Goslings Dark Rum each.
We wandered back to the party room where the rest of the Student crew were now feigning death in the desperate hope that they could escape via body bags and were greeted with a gruff 'took your bloody time' from the staff skipper.
Have loved Bermuda ever since...
It turned out that he did own the supermarket (as well as a sizeable chunk of the island_. He had his own rum blended for him by an importer and it was freely available from a barrel in his back garden (where he also kept pot-bellied pigs who would take your feet out from under you when they heard the tap being turned on the barrel). He invited over a few friends who included a WWII USAF pilot who flew Liberators, his son (a Rhodes Scholar) and a few of the local bigwigs. Five hours of fascinating conversation and amazing hospitality later he took us back to the supermarket and presented us with a slab of beer and a litre bottle of Goslings Dark Rum each.
We wandered back to the party room where the rest of the Student crew were now feigning death in the desperate hope that they could escape via body bags and were greeted with a gruff 'took your bloody time' from the staff skipper.
Have loved Bermuda ever since...
I was working at Marshalls (Concorde nose and visor particularly) when MCE got the Hercules support contract. Some amusement shortly after when MCE777, the Chairman's limo, changed from a Bentley to a Cadillac.
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Thanks SD, after 14 years I used to know almost every nut bolt and washer and cable run. Now how many people did I manage to convince that we had fitted a new antenna under that fibreglass fairing under the 4a tank. It only came off once every major to grease the axle!!
As you say back to albert.
Wander,
I remember a visit to Marshall from school when they were doing Concorde. many of the design team came to work with me at Wyton 10 years later. As Smuge, AA 62 and others may have recalled the place was buzzing during early 82 and for many years afterwards.
As you say back to albert.
Wander,
I remember a visit to Marshall from school when they were doing Concorde. many of the design team came to work with me at Wyton 10 years later. As Smuge, AA 62 and others may have recalled the place was buzzing during early 82 and for many years afterwards.
The most amusing event in my first visit to Barbados followed a similar, but not so well funded, walkabout as Dougie M. One morning after breakfast, and with a serviceable Albert and a crew rest day, the whole crew decided to wander down the beach from the Grand, where it was reported ( by our Captain) that there was a beach shack that did great barbecued burgers and beer lunches. Off we trotted, burned the calories and eventually found the recommended establishment. Lunch was, exactly as our Captain had described, smashing, and well worth the walk, a change for him, most of his recommendations usually incorporated Guinness as part of the repertoire (sorry if this might lead to any ID ideas skipper). Anyway, the walk back was underway, and the usual banter was underway, when a local chap (rasta?) jumped out of a bush. I'm not very good at a Barbudian accent, particularly when typing on an iPad, so please try and imagine the conversation.
" Hi guys, how yo doing ? How would you'll you like to do a tour of de island, all the local sites, churches and points of interest" ?
Skipper : "No thanks mate, we just want to walk along the beach back to the hotel".
This was repeated at least twice, before our Captain offered some profanity toward the rasta chap, suggesting he "go away fornicating".
To which the chap made his final pitch saying " no problem guys, y'all have a nice day, and would any of you like some wacky baccy"?
No one took him up on his final offer, no surprise there, but it was a source for much humour for the rest of the detachment.
From a GE point of view it was an interesting trip. The same deployment as described by AA62 in support of Caribbean forces movements, we had a problem early on when the Captains front window developed a huge crack on the inner laminate, and crazed across the outer laminate, making it unusable as a visual aid. With a 10 day deployment planned, all could be carried out unpressurised, we (the two GEs) dared to suggest that we would order a spare windscreen, and replace it on a planned, non flying day, before return via Bermuda. As it happened, there was no flying planned for the day prior to our departure, so we two GEs, and the hard working MSF Corporal attended Grantley Adams all that day. A windscreen change is a big job, ask any rigger, and this was no exception. We had to meet a target in that there was a setting time for the PRC (elastomer sealant) used in seating the new screen, and we had to complete a full ground pressurisation test, from memory, at least 12 hours before flying. As Dougie M says, it's hard work, and somebody has to do it. All went well, we even got out for a few beers before departure. One of my fondest memories, to this day of serving as an Aircraft Ground Engineer. Now look what you made me do, pull up a blinking sandbag again.
Smudge
" Hi guys, how yo doing ? How would you'll you like to do a tour of de island, all the local sites, churches and points of interest" ?
Skipper : "No thanks mate, we just want to walk along the beach back to the hotel".
This was repeated at least twice, before our Captain offered some profanity toward the rasta chap, suggesting he "go away fornicating".
To which the chap made his final pitch saying " no problem guys, y'all have a nice day, and would any of you like some wacky baccy"?
No one took him up on his final offer, no surprise there, but it was a source for much humour for the rest of the detachment.
From a GE point of view it was an interesting trip. The same deployment as described by AA62 in support of Caribbean forces movements, we had a problem early on when the Captains front window developed a huge crack on the inner laminate, and crazed across the outer laminate, making it unusable as a visual aid. With a 10 day deployment planned, all could be carried out unpressurised, we (the two GEs) dared to suggest that we would order a spare windscreen, and replace it on a planned, non flying day, before return via Bermuda. As it happened, there was no flying planned for the day prior to our departure, so we two GEs, and the hard working MSF Corporal attended Grantley Adams all that day. A windscreen change is a big job, ask any rigger, and this was no exception. We had to meet a target in that there was a setting time for the PRC (elastomer sealant) used in seating the new screen, and we had to complete a full ground pressurisation test, from memory, at least 12 hours before flying. As Dougie M says, it's hard work, and somebody has to do it. All went well, we even got out for a few beers before departure. One of my fondest memories, to this day of serving as an Aircraft Ground Engineer. Now look what you made me do, pull up a blinking sandbag again.
Smudge
smudge,
you and the others are doing exactly what I hoped my tales would do. Stir up the little grey cells of memory of the 'K' and the places it visited at HMQ'S behest. And of course the characters that took the a/c there.
Anyone remember OP Sheepskin ? Before your time smudge !
you and the others are doing exactly what I hoped my tales would do. Stir up the little grey cells of memory of the 'K' and the places it visited at HMQ'S behest. And of course the characters that took the a/c there.
Anyone remember OP Sheepskin ? Before your time smudge !
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Good morning Gentlemen ...
We are safely back from our trip to Prague ... what a fascinating place ... along with a touch of pre-Christmas snow
Now that we have over 203,000 Hits with c. 2,000 contributions, I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed thus far. I'm so pleased that our Thread has seen so many old friends and colleagues hook up again and share their stories when working with RAF Albert. I'm particularly appreciative of AA62 for his continued interest ... who would have thought that a little help with posting images for some could lead to the wealth of imagery that has been shared.
Thanks also to our good friend Dragartist for adding to the enjoyment with his stories from the Back Room
Just a few of the main culprits to this thread
Talking of interesting imagery ... I'm sure there are some pics out there of either AA62, Smudge, Mal Drop or Dougie in Bermuda Shorts
Here's to hopefully a few more stories ...
Seasons greetings ...
Coff.
We are safely back from our trip to Prague ... what a fascinating place ... along with a touch of pre-Christmas snow
Now that we have over 203,000 Hits with c. 2,000 contributions, I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed thus far. I'm so pleased that our Thread has seen so many old friends and colleagues hook up again and share their stories when working with RAF Albert. I'm particularly appreciative of AA62 for his continued interest ... who would have thought that a little help with posting images for some could lead to the wealth of imagery that has been shared.
Thanks also to our good friend Dragartist for adding to the enjoyment with his stories from the Back Room
Just a few of the main culprits to this thread
Talking of interesting imagery ... I'm sure there are some pics out there of either AA62, Smudge, Mal Drop or Dougie in Bermuda Shorts
Here's to hopefully a few more stories ...
Seasons greetings ...
Coff.
Coffman,
welcome back. Yes we are still going with tales of warmer places, all done in the line of duty. You asked for pics in Bermuda shorts. Not my style so you will have to make do with this one of me on the boat ready to set off for our sunset cruise in Barbados. Well you did ask for it !
welcome back. Yes we are still going with tales of warmer places, all done in the line of duty. You asked for pics in Bermuda shorts. Not my style so you will have to make do with this one of me on the boat ready to set off for our sunset cruise in Barbados. Well you did ask for it !
The Andros Detachment, and on a day off my fellow GE and I decided to visit the Space centre, and do the Apollo tour (again). Our Loadie, quick Don, took this showing that it wasn't just Mr Libby who had a penchant for dressing up
Murray was a natty dresser too
Note the Saturn 5, a rocket with almost as much thrust as the Mighty Allison
Smudge
Murray was a natty dresser too
Note the Saturn 5, a rocket with almost as much thrust as the Mighty Allison
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 6th Dec 2014 at 12:19. Reason: Picture resize
AA62,
It certainly was a 30 Sqdn Crew, Captain one B. A. R*****son (Saxophonist). As my 40th Birthday happened during the Det, I'm thinking it would have been in April 1993. Hope that helps.
Smudge
It certainly was a 30 Sqdn Crew, Captain one B. A. R*****son (Saxophonist). As my 40th Birthday happened during the Det, I'm thinking it would have been in April 1993. Hope that helps.
Smudge