Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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Very smart AA62 
A question if I may ... maybe it's just the pic or the fold in your uniform sleeve ... but I don't see any Aircrew Chevron Eagles (likewise with the two chaps to your left) ?
A question if I may ... maybe it's just the pic or the fold in your uniform sleeve ... but I don't see any Aircrew Chevron Eagles (likewise with the two chaps to your left) ?
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 24th Feb 2015 at 17:50.
Allison Conway,
I had a licence for the "yellow peril" too, and Like Brian May, often towed Paloustes, Houchins and even OC admins car across the "Fosse Way" airbase. Some great stuff coming through now all, it was interesting to see how the Ground training school, which eventually became HEMS ((Hercules Engineering Maintenance School) developed. I well remember "Luv and kisses" at Akronelli in 71-73, where I was fortunate to deploy to Malta on a 56 Sqdn Air defence exercise by Hanaidi I believe, our return on the whistling tit introduced me to another type operated by a great transport squadron. I'm sorry I'm a bit "in and out" at the moment, I have a few bits and bobs going on. Finally, I'm now about halfway through Exocet Falklnds, and what a good read it is, having had the pleasure of working with some of the major participants in the book, I am rapidly approching the conclusion that my own impressions from my day are valid, they were bonkers !! Keep it coming gentlemen, there's some great Albert related stuff out there.
Smudge
I had a licence for the "yellow peril" too, and Like Brian May, often towed Paloustes, Houchins and even OC admins car across the "Fosse Way" airbase. Some great stuff coming through now all, it was interesting to see how the Ground training school, which eventually became HEMS ((Hercules Engineering Maintenance School) developed. I well remember "Luv and kisses" at Akronelli in 71-73, where I was fortunate to deploy to Malta on a 56 Sqdn Air defence exercise by Hanaidi I believe, our return on the whistling tit introduced me to another type operated by a great transport squadron. I'm sorry I'm a bit "in and out" at the moment, I have a few bits and bobs going on. Finally, I'm now about halfway through Exocet Falklnds, and what a good read it is, having had the pleasure of working with some of the major participants in the book, I am rapidly approching the conclusion that my own impressions from my day are valid, they were bonkers !! Keep it coming gentlemen, there's some great Albert related stuff out there.
Smudge
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Something a little odd here ?
I came across this pic on the C-130.net recently ... but there is something a bit odd about it. The pic purports to be a Crown image of RAF aircrew posing for a group shot after the last C-130K operational sortie on October 25, 2013. However, up close, it appears to be a composite image ? The aircrew look as though they have been superimposed on a different background (aircraft) and even some aircrew have the appearance of being added ?
Image Credit : Purports to be a Crown Image
Is it just me or do other members think the same ?
If so ... does anyone know the story here ... there has to be a reason for going to such photographic lengths
I came across this pic on the C-130.net recently ... but there is something a bit odd about it. The pic purports to be a Crown image of RAF aircrew posing for a group shot after the last C-130K operational sortie on October 25, 2013. However, up close, it appears to be a composite image ? The aircrew look as though they have been superimposed on a different background (aircraft) and even some aircrew have the appearance of being added ?
Image Credit : Purports to be a Crown Image
Is it just me or do other members think the same ?
If so ... does anyone know the story here ... there has to be a reason for going to such photographic lengths
I think that the Hercules.net has used the photo but sharpened it to make it clearer and in doing so made it look a bit suspicious.
Coffman,
yes it does look is my eagles are missing but I cannot think of any reason why that should be. Perhaps the camera does lie or at least mislead in this instance.
yes it does look is my eagles are missing but I cannot think of any reason why that should be. Perhaps the camera does lie or at least mislead in this instance.
One point about my pic of the Herc ALMs on 8 course. We were all retreads from the Beverley and Hastings fleets.
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November4, AA62 ...
Many thanks gents
November4 ...
Adding the link to Global Gateway is a great bonus ... a nice potted history of the K along with individual frames
Interestingly I too had a recollection over the weekend of a Herc pic from the mid 70's which I think was in the Flight Safety Review publication ... with a 'bent' wing ... so coming up next (as I managed to find the pic on the web) XV181.
Best ...
Coff.
PS. More Air Clues material later today
Many thanks gents
November4 ...
Adding the link to Global Gateway is a great bonus ... a nice potted history of the K along with individual frames
Interestingly I too had a recollection over the weekend of a Herc pic from the mid 70's which I think was in the Flight Safety Review publication ... with a 'bent' wing ... so coming up next (as I managed to find the pic on the web) XV181.
Best ...
Coff.
PS. More Air Clues material later today
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 25th Feb 2015 at 15:52.
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As mentioned above ... I remembered seeing at least one of these pics in the Flight Safety Review publication back in the late 70's. Spookily I came across these pics when doing a sport of other research for this Thread. I can't remember the article detail but I believe this was a 'Landing Mishap' at Thorney Island circa 1975.
Interestingly XV181 continued in service until Mar 2003 when we sold her to the Austrians and she is now sporting 8T-CA as a serial.
Image Credit : Unknown
And 8T-CA as she is now ... love the flag
C-130K 8T-CA Austrian Air Force
Coff.
Interestingly XV181 continued in service until Mar 2003 when we sold her to the Austrians and she is now sporting 8T-CA as a serial.
Image Credit : Unknown
And 8T-CA as she is now ... love the flag
C-130K 8T-CA Austrian Air Force
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 25th Feb 2015 at 09:38.
Coff,
should XV 818 be XV 218 ?
should XV 818 be XV 218 ?
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AA62 ...
I'm reasonably certain that it's XV181 ... just found another pic from a different angle ... you can just make out 181 on the nose (on the larger pic at least).
Image Credit : Unknown (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bygonetymes/6494994995/)
Coff.
PS. AA62 ... Sorry I just noticed my keyboard dyslexia in typing 818 and not 181
It seems you were afflicted likewise with 218
I'm reasonably certain that it's XV181 ... just found another pic from a different angle ... you can just make out 181 on the nose (on the larger pic at least).
Image Credit : Unknown (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bygonetymes/6494994995/)
Coff.
PS. AA62 ... Sorry I just noticed my keyboard dyslexia in typing 818 and not 181
It seems you were afflicted likewise with 218
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 25th Feb 2015 at 15:49.
Coff & Nimman
That's the photo I recall! SWMBO says how come I can remember trivia from the sixties and not what happened this morning!
In #2514 I recognise a skipper, then Flt Lt Ed Carter later Sqn ldr, on the left - next to him is a nav' Ken Foster. I cycled over to Ken's house in the Gers about 6 years ago when resident in France. Next to Ken could be Sqn ldr 'Andy' Andrusikiewicz, apart from Rochford-Hughes and Merriman I'm struggling to recognise the others.
I recall being told that Rochford-Hughes had taxied a Sunderland several hundred miles across the Atlantic back to base during WW2.
Being the youngest nav' on 48 I was regularly 'joe'd' to be the nav' when the trappers came to examine the staish, Grp Capt Merriman and also when the latter demonstrated the joys of the Herc' to AOA, AVM Peter le Cheminant - all the old hairies dived out of the window when the flying programme was published!
In #2514 I recognise a skipper, then Flt Lt Ed Carter later Sqn ldr, on the left - next to him is a nav' Ken Foster. I cycled over to Ken's house in the Gers about 6 years ago when resident in France. Next to Ken could be Sqn ldr 'Andy' Andrusikiewicz, apart from Rochford-Hughes and Merriman I'm struggling to recognise the others.
I recall being told that Rochford-Hughes had taxied a Sunderland several hundred miles across the Atlantic back to base during WW2.
Being the youngest nav' on 48 I was regularly 'joe'd' to be the nav' when the trappers came to examine the staish, Grp Capt Merriman and also when the latter demonstrated the joys of the Herc' to AOA, AVM Peter le Cheminant - all the old hairies dived out of the window when the flying programme was published!
Coff,
Nice captures on 181, and what can anyone expect when a bunch of aircrew get let loose with one of HM's finest examples of aloominum constructitude. Come on Doug, let's hear how it ended thus, or do we have to plumb the depths of the interweb?
Smudge
Nice captures on 181, and what can anyone expect when a bunch of aircrew get let loose with one of HM's finest examples of aloominum constructitude. Come on Doug, let's hear how it ended thus, or do we have to plumb the depths of the interweb?
Smudge
Coff,
your diagnosis of us both is correct. Keyboard dyslexia !
The story of the airframe 'mods' in the pic from Thorney as best I can recall.
It was a co-pilots landing and the a/c got away from him before the captain could react. The wing struck the runway and the number four prop did like wise. Parts of the blade penetrated the fuselage narrowly missing the loadmaster. I am sure someone out there can put more flesh on these bare bones.
your diagnosis of us both is correct. Keyboard dyslexia !
The story of the airframe 'mods' in the pic from Thorney as best I can recall.
It was a co-pilots landing and the a/c got away from him before the captain could react. The wing struck the runway and the number four prop did like wise. Parts of the blade penetrated the fuselage narrowly missing the loadmaster. I am sure someone out there can put more flesh on these bare bones.
Last edited by ancientaviator62; 26th Feb 2015 at 08:23. Reason: correction
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Good to have you 'connected' and back with us again Brian 48nav
Now we can't let you simply get away in saying that without a story
Being the youngest nav' on 48 I was regularly 'joe'd' to be the nav' when the trappers came to examine the staish, Grp Capt Merriman and also when the latter demonstrated the joys of the Herc' to AOA, AVM Peter le Cheminant - all the old hairies dived out of the window when the flying programme was published!
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More from the Air Clues archive provided by Nimman
I'm turning the clock back now to Aug 65 (which according to Bian 48nav's wife he should remember well !) ... Prior to Albert entering service with the RAF the Directorate of Flight Safety published a 'brief' list of incidents/accidents encountered by our USAF colleagues. You'll note W/C Spry's 'reassuring' comments ... along with the fairly 'dismissive' comment at the prospect of the RN 'borrowing some of our aircraft'.
Very interesting ...
Source Credit : MOD RAF Air Clues Aug 1965 (Pages 380 to 381)
Coff.
PS. More later today ...
I'm turning the clock back now to Aug 65 (which according to Bian 48nav's wife he should remember well !) ... Prior to Albert entering service with the RAF the Directorate of Flight Safety published a 'brief' list of incidents/accidents encountered by our USAF colleagues. You'll note W/C Spry's 'reassuring' comments ... along with the fairly 'dismissive' comment at the prospect of the RN 'borrowing some of our aircraft'.
Very interesting ...
Coff.
PS. More later today ...
Coff,
many thanks for the Air Clues pages. Thankfully by the time we got the 'K' the side opening cargo door had been discontinued. If you removed the insulation blanket it was NOT sound proofing) forward of the Utility hydraulic system you could still see the outline of where it would have been.
We did have crew entrance door issues but never lost one in flight.
many thanks for the Air Clues pages. Thankfully by the time we got the 'K' the side opening cargo door had been discontinued. If you removed the insulation blanket it was NOT sound proofing) forward of the Utility hydraulic system you could still see the outline of where it would have been.
We did have crew entrance door issues but never lost one in flight.
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I remember this day well - we were watching from the QFI's crewroom; it was exercise CP4 - co-pilot's asymmetric training, (when we used to shut down engines for real for practice, how foolish we were). They came in a bit fast and got into a "porpoise" from which the QFI couldn't recover. The fire situation was exacerbated by the then "long grass policy" to keep the birds away, never really worked, and the long dry grass burned merrily. We were amazed when XV181 was rebuilt, and there it is now with the Austrians! I felt so sorry for the instructor, and I believe the Asymmetric training policy may have changed after this, can't really remember.
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As promised ... more from the Air Clues archive
Still staying with the mid 60's and prior to Albert entering service with the RAF, in addition to learning from USAF's experiences, it would appear we also worked with our RAAF and RNZAF colleagues given their developing experience with the Hercules.
Here is an interesting article written by an un-named RAF Exchange Officer posted to 36 Squadron RAAF.
Note that the article quotes the RAF expecting to receive the C-130E at that time.
Source Credit : MOD RAF Air Clues Jun 1965 (Pages 292 to 295)
Coff.
Still staying with the mid 60's and prior to Albert entering service with the RAF, in addition to learning from USAF's experiences, it would appear we also worked with our RAAF and RNZAF colleagues given their developing experience with the Hercules.
Here is an interesting article written by an un-named RAF Exchange Officer posted to 36 Squadron RAAF.
Note that the article quotes the RAF expecting to receive the C-130E at that time.
Source Credit : MOD RAF Air Clues Jun 1965 (Pages 292 to 295)
Coff.
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I have an inkling that this article will be very relevant to one of our regular Thread members/contributors
Clearly keen to demonstrate the versatility of the 'new' RAF Hercules, I suspect opportunities to support prestigious expeditions were welcomed by the Service (if not by the poor chaps then tasked !).
Here is an article written by W/C D le R Bird on the Cambridge University 'Staunings Expedition' of 1970.
If I'm not mistaken ... pic Page 166 ... that looks like one of those old Clement Clarke 'Wire' Headsets being worn down the back ... I bet that was a bit cold with the ramp down
Source Credit : MOD RAF Air Clues Feb 1971 (Pages 164 to 167)
Coff.
Clearly keen to demonstrate the versatility of the 'new' RAF Hercules, I suspect opportunities to support prestigious expeditions were welcomed by the Service (if not by the poor chaps then tasked !).
Here is an article written by W/C D le R Bird on the Cambridge University 'Staunings Expedition' of 1970.
If I'm not mistaken ... pic Page 166 ... that looks like one of those old Clement Clarke 'Wire' Headsets being worn down the back ... I bet that was a bit cold with the ramp down
Source Credit : MOD RAF Air Clues Feb 1971 (Pages 164 to 167)
Coff.