Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
Here I am
Where does time go? Just about to go out on my bike, ( only chance till the weekend as we are off to No2 son's to meet the new in-laws !! ) so quick look at Pprune and I'm wanted.
I will try to locate my slides but not for a few days
.
Re GEs - I do recall an airman with us on our Kathmandu trip in April '69, the reason is that he wore the briefest shorts I had ever seen and was getting some peculiar looks cast in his direction as we strolled around town.
Certainly had one on of my best trips - a week u/s in Antigua over NY 70/71 - because of the mix of ranks the only 2 crew members sharing a room were the two Fg Offs, Pete A-Z Cullum and me.
I will try to locate my slides but not for a few days
.Re GEs - I do recall an airman with us on our Kathmandu trip in April '69, the reason is that he wore the briefest shorts I had ever seen and was getting some peculiar looks cast in his direction as we strolled around town.
Certainly had one on of my best trips - a week u/s in Antigua over NY 70/71 - because of the mix of ranks the only 2 crew members sharing a room were the two Fg Offs, Pete A-Z Cullum and me.
SWMBO did this for me - I've no idea how - but there was lots of swearing while she was on tinypics.com.
XV 209 at Tarawa in the Gilbert & Ellice Islands Feb 16-18th 1969 - I was with Dave Carter ( RIP ) and Angus Morris ( still a mate of ours ).
Brian,
welcome ! The pics are a bit small for my old eyes but it is a start.
welcome ! The pics are a bit small for my old eyes but it is a start.
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And, for a period of time under Master Nav. George Kelly, I (acting Corporal unpaid LOL 
, managed the "Nav Bags" section of Lyneham's Flight Planning section updating and providing you guys with all your docs ... and looking back on it 37 years later ... interesting work and valuable experience it was also.
, managed the "Nav Bags" section of Lyneham's Flight Planning section updating and providing you guys with all your docs ... and looking back on it 37 years later ... interesting work and valuable experience it was also.
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Brian ...
When you return ... Please re-brief SWMBO to select the TinyPic Resize option to Message Board 640x480 in the drop-down box before uploading ... I suspect you have gone with the Default setting which produces Thumbnail images
Best regards ...
Coff.
Just trying to help out
And to help save AA62's eyesight
When you return ... Please re-brief SWMBO to select the TinyPic Resize option to Message Board 640x480 in the drop-down box before uploading ... I suspect you have gone with the Default setting which produces Thumbnail images
Best regards ...
Coff.
Just trying to help out
And to help save AA62's eyesight
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 2nd Jun 2014 at 16:02.
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I came across a couple of RAF recruitment ads from the early 70's earlier today ... where Albert was the star ... with due respect to the named personnel that is
XV294 ?
XV210 ?
Best ...
Coff.
XV294 ?
XV210 ?
Best ...
Coff.
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Brian, it could be we were on the same flight to Tarawa and there certainly weren't many but for those of us not fortunate enough to have visited then check it out on the web.
Tarawa was the scene of the US forces first attempted ground forces landing in the Pacific and the defences after a couple of days naval and airborne bombardment were assumed to have been neutralised. Not so and after a cock up with the tides the US forces were stuck on the coral 200 yards out and they became an easy target. The landing craft remain rusting on the coral. I have a collection of pics but they are not appropriate for this thread. The beaches, jungle and many other areas still boast all the detritus of battle, tanks, shore guns (taken by the Japs from Singapore and manufactured in UK) and many items like helmets, weapons etc continue to be unearthed on a regular basis. Huge, huge American losses.
Tarawa was the scene of the US forces first attempted ground forces landing in the Pacific and the defences after a couple of days naval and airborne bombardment were assumed to have been neutralised. Not so and after a cock up with the tides the US forces were stuck on the coral 200 yards out and they became an easy target. The landing craft remain rusting on the coral. I have a collection of pics but they are not appropriate for this thread. The beaches, jungle and many other areas still boast all the detritus of battle, tanks, shore guns (taken by the Japs from Singapore and manufactured in UK) and many items like helmets, weapons etc continue to be unearthed on a regular basis. Huge, huge American losses.
Coff, you're a star, thank you very much. We've just come back from the village pub and my darling wife was cursing the fact that she hadn't been able to increase the size 
.
Re the ads - Colin Burns was on 30 when I arrived back from Changi - a fantastic goalie, was that allowed for Towers guys? Met him years later at a party at Joe Oldfield's house near Lyneham.
I had never met or heard of Mitch until meeting him in France in 2007 when we moved there, we became chums until we came back in 2010 - he is there for the duration, so much so that he and his good lady have already bought their plots in the local cemetery!
I recognise the good-looking nav' in the second ad', I think he was first tour on 36 when I was on 30 at Lyneham. Was he later a boss of 10 Sqn?
Upgently - I was on 48 from Dec' 67 until Oct' 69 - the bastards short-toured me by far too much! Does that tally with your time?
.Re the ads - Colin Burns was on 30 when I arrived back from Changi - a fantastic goalie, was that allowed for Towers guys? Met him years later at a party at Joe Oldfield's house near Lyneham.
I had never met or heard of Mitch until meeting him in France in 2007 when we moved there, we became chums until we came back in 2010 - he is there for the duration, so much so that he and his good lady have already bought their plots in the local cemetery!
I recognise the good-looking nav' in the second ad', I think he was first tour on 36 when I was on 30 at Lyneham. Was he later a boss of 10 Sqn?
Upgently - I was on 48 from Dec' 67 until Oct' 69 - the bastards short-toured me by far too much! Does that tally with your time?
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Post GW1 SLF Albert story
Sorry to intrude into the house of Albert, but I do have one, tiny, SLF Hercybird story and some of you, I am sure, were there. I am a CT/MRI scanner engineer based in London and the south east, but because of my experience, I have occasionally been asked (told?) to go to some outlandish places. One of them was Kuwait City, not long after the end of GW1. Because that nice Mr. Saddam had blown up or stolen Kuwait Air, I was instructed by the FCO to fly to Bahrain (via Doha) and report to RAF Muharaq - MAMS office. Wherever that was. 
I qualified, it seems, because I was British, knew the kit and had never been to Israel!
After an eventfull civilian journey and being driven past a lot of RAF 'Banging Machinery' with a rather used look about them, I was directed to a refrigerator full of non alcoholic drinks by a MAMS Corporal and told to wait for the crew. They - whoever you are - turned up, we trooped on board what I thought was merely a strangely camoflaged C130 and we set off. I never knew that aeroplanes could wuffle, but Albert definitely wuffled out to line up. But when you gave him the beans, he suddenly got all serious and quite anxious to be elsewhere.
The most bizarre smoke break at Jabail (?) Naval Air Station was followed by the second leg and our Loadie briefing that we had five minutes to look out of the portholes before landing. Apart from smoke so thick we could barely see the wing tanks (overload tanks?), I can genuinely say it was a scene from Dante's Inferno, A stunning demonstration of just how spiteful stupid people can be, with oil fires lighting up the daytime darkness for a hundred feet around each one.
After Albert wuffled some more, past the black mark on the apron where that nice Mr. Saddam reduced BA's stock of 747's by one and the stuffed camel on top of a Series Land Rover, we were told to wait for 'The Duty Officer'. The DO sped through the load deck ticking stuff and people off and vanished again, leaving about a dozen sprained necks trying to follow her, because F/O Sarah Byrne was a drop dead gorgeous blonde, with desert fatigues and a gun.
Apart from having to beg MRE's off American and British squadies at checkpoints during the week I spent there, trying to bring a CT scanner back to life after having its electronic brains blown out by a generator - they had a GSW they needed to scan on the day the Iraqis blew up the power station - that was it for me and the Military.
On the way back it was all the same in reverse, except that after asking the Loadie if it would be possible to visit the conservatory at the front, where you guys sit around all day, I was invited to spend the entire flight standing up, next to the Flight Engineer. I was like a pig in ...... ordure!
However, being an engineer, I couldn't help asking questions of the hapless F/E and it turned out the aeroplane was a Lyneham based frame and that it and it's happy crew were merely dropping us off in Bahrain and were then going home - for good! Also that there were 'one or two' minor defects.
Had I not noticed that three of Albert's props were black and one was silver with red stripes? Borrowed that off the Septics; ours is broke. The Loadie dashing around with a torch peering in to various nooks? Hydraulic leaks, might have to crank the u/c down. The APU was inop and they'd probably have to be jump started to leave Muharaq and on and on. We - you blokes - were flying a wreck! But it didn't matter! You were going home.
Elf and safety would probably have had a kerniption fit if they had seen me hanging on to something tubular with one hand, while I took photographs out of the cockpit windows on very, very short finals!
As we taxied in, the replacement Albert was pointed out and I remarked on the different camoflage scheme. Oh no, the F/E said, that's the same colour as this, its just that we've been flying through all that clag for a month!
Twenty-two years later, I would like to thank the crew of that 'Fat Albert' for one of my most memorable flights, anywhere. I did take photographs, but for the moment I can't find them. A truly remarkable aeroplane.
Roger
I qualified, it seems, because I was British, knew the kit and had never been to Israel!After an eventfull civilian journey and being driven past a lot of RAF 'Banging Machinery' with a rather used look about them, I was directed to a refrigerator full of non alcoholic drinks by a MAMS Corporal and told to wait for the crew. They - whoever you are - turned up, we trooped on board what I thought was merely a strangely camoflaged C130 and we set off. I never knew that aeroplanes could wuffle, but Albert definitely wuffled out to line up. But when you gave him the beans, he suddenly got all serious and quite anxious to be elsewhere.
The most bizarre smoke break at Jabail (?) Naval Air Station was followed by the second leg and our Loadie briefing that we had five minutes to look out of the portholes before landing. Apart from smoke so thick we could barely see the wing tanks (overload tanks?), I can genuinely say it was a scene from Dante's Inferno, A stunning demonstration of just how spiteful stupid people can be, with oil fires lighting up the daytime darkness for a hundred feet around each one.
After Albert wuffled some more, past the black mark on the apron where that nice Mr. Saddam reduced BA's stock of 747's by one and the stuffed camel on top of a Series Land Rover, we were told to wait for 'The Duty Officer'. The DO sped through the load deck ticking stuff and people off and vanished again, leaving about a dozen sprained necks trying to follow her, because F/O Sarah Byrne was a drop dead gorgeous blonde, with desert fatigues and a gun.
Apart from having to beg MRE's off American and British squadies at checkpoints during the week I spent there, trying to bring a CT scanner back to life after having its electronic brains blown out by a generator - they had a GSW they needed to scan on the day the Iraqis blew up the power station - that was it for me and the Military.
On the way back it was all the same in reverse, except that after asking the Loadie if it would be possible to visit the conservatory at the front, where you guys sit around all day, I was invited to spend the entire flight standing up, next to the Flight Engineer. I was like a pig in ...... ordure!
However, being an engineer, I couldn't help asking questions of the hapless F/E and it turned out the aeroplane was a Lyneham based frame and that it and it's happy crew were merely dropping us off in Bahrain and were then going home - for good! Also that there were 'one or two' minor defects.
Had I not noticed that three of Albert's props were black and one was silver with red stripes? Borrowed that off the Septics; ours is broke. The Loadie dashing around with a torch peering in to various nooks? Hydraulic leaks, might have to crank the u/c down. The APU was inop and they'd probably have to be jump started to leave Muharaq and on and on. We - you blokes - were flying a wreck! But it didn't matter! You were going home.
Elf and safety would probably have had a kerniption fit if they had seen me hanging on to something tubular with one hand, while I took photographs out of the cockpit windows on very, very short finals!
As we taxied in, the replacement Albert was pointed out and I remarked on the different camoflage scheme. Oh no, the F/E said, that's the same colour as this, its just that we've been flying through all that clag for a month! Twenty-two years later, I would like to thank the crew of that 'Fat Albert' for one of my most memorable flights, anywhere. I did take photographs, but for the moment I can't find them. A truly remarkable aeroplane.
Roger
Landroger,
What a smashing story, and how I recognise the dry whit you experienced that convinced you that the RAF C130 fleet in theatre, was on its last legs. I can assure you that the aircraft you flew in, both ways, was perfectly fit to fly, and so were the crew (well, maybe) We had a lot of support in theatre, even after the shooting stopped. I for one got back to Lyneham a full 2 months after the welcome home, tea and medals parade. I'm sure many of us had become fairly cynical by the time our Det had halved and moved to Bahrain, but, servicing and operating standards never deteriorated in my humble opinion. You certainly would not have been the only "non RAF" passenger to be "wound up" by crews, and I can assure you that even government ministers were subject to such banter. Your story though does reflect the oft recorded thoughts of professionals from the civilian world, having been exposed to "Albert". I hope your memories of Albert, and the crew are something you remember with fondness, I suspect Baron Wakeham might not have such, as a result of my making him a Coffee on the way to Kuwait, around the time of your trip.
Smudge
What a smashing story, and how I recognise the dry whit you experienced that convinced you that the RAF C130 fleet in theatre, was on its last legs. I can assure you that the aircraft you flew in, both ways, was perfectly fit to fly, and so were the crew (well, maybe)
We had a lot of support in theatre, even after the shooting stopped. I for one got back to Lyneham a full 2 months after the welcome home, tea and medals parade. I'm sure many of us had become fairly cynical by the time our Det had halved and moved to Bahrain, but, servicing and operating standards never deteriorated in my humble opinion. You certainly would not have been the only "non RAF" passenger to be "wound up" by crews, and I can assure you that even government ministers were subject to such banter. Your story though does reflect the oft recorded thoughts of professionals from the civilian world, having been exposed to "Albert". I hope your memories of Albert, and the crew are something you remember with fondness, I suspect Baron Wakeham might not have such, as a result of my making him a Coffee on the way to Kuwait, around the time of your trip.Smudge
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As I said Smudge, a truly remarkable aeroplane and I have heard it said that Mr. Lockheed made some astonishingly good ones. I'm not sure the F/E was winding me up, because all of those things did appear to be 'inop'. Well not the prop, but they were definitely 'odd' - as in odd socks.
And it didn't worry me that the aircraft was less than pristine, it felt absolutely unburstable. And the power of those donks! The crew were exactly how I imagine RAF aircrew to be. A late and very dear friend was a Chinook driver. Just being allowed to spend an extended period in the cockpit was an honour and a treasured memory.
My genuine thanks to that nameless crew - if only I could find the photographs, because that would give me the cab number.
Roger
PS: Does anyone else think Fat Albert has an avuncular smile?
And it didn't worry me that the aircraft was less than pristine, it felt absolutely unburstable. And the power of those donks! The crew were exactly how I imagine RAF aircrew to be. A late and very dear friend was a Chinook driver. Just being allowed to spend an extended period in the cockpit was an honour and a treasured memory.
My genuine thanks to that nameless crew - if only I could find the photographs, because that would give me the cab number.
Roger
PS: Does anyone else think Fat Albert has an avuncular smile?
landroger,
terrific tale which many of us can recognise as a typical of overseas ops.
I always thought that 'Albert', on the ground at least, looked like Dougal from The Magic Roundabout.
terrific tale which many of us can recognise as a typical of overseas ops.
I always thought that 'Albert', on the ground at least, looked like Dougal from The Magic Roundabout.
Coffman,
thanks for those wonderful period ads with the 'K'. My eyes thank you for resizing Brian's pics. This thread which you originated is really on a roll now.
thanks for those wonderful period ads with the 'K'. My eyes thank you for resizing Brian's pics. This thread which you originated is really on a roll now.
I too have the Tarawa 'tick' and if I can find the pics they may well appear.
Sometimes the pressurisation would go AWOL so we had to mask up.
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AA62 ...
It's my pleasure ... It's really great to see these pics and read the stories that might otherwise never see the light of day
Best ...
Coff.
PS I'm also pleased that a few more chaps can now post pics on PPRuNe
It's my pleasure ... It's really great to see these pics and read the stories that might otherwise never see the light of day
Best ...
Coff.
PS I'm also pleased that a few more chaps can now post pics on PPRuNe
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Some little while back I had the great privilege to share a coffee and chat with Pontifex who is a PPRuNe regular ... I'm sure he won't mind me posting this remarkable pic under this thread. He was the lead TP flying Albert during this interesting AAR trial. Hopefully he may pitch-up with a bit more to tell
Best ...
Coff.
Best ...
Coff.
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Where has the Herc yet to go?
So with all these articles from earlier years etc it seems that the Herc has been almost everywhere.
With recent missions in Mali, Afghan and the Philippines, I wondered if there is anywhere for it still to venture and fly the Flag?
I bet between us we could cover the globe.
My own exploits have taken me as far away as Fiji, Somoa, Kota Kinabulu and Namibia to mention a few.
Where has / or hasn't she been?
With recent missions in Mali, Afghan and the Philippines, I wondered if there is anywhere for it still to venture and fly the Flag?
I bet between us we could cover the globe.
My own exploits have taken me as far away as Fiji, Somoa, Kota Kinabulu and Namibia to mention a few.
Where has / or hasn't she been?