Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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MTTB
Good spot Drag. You will also notice that it's a J it's emerged from. Only source I could find an airborne tube. I never observed anything from that angle. (Nor did I do assisted free fall whilst on detachment).
I launched a 1ton CADS on the Yuma range with a huge likely footprint of where it might go. It had a mind of its own for the first 3000 ft then when it responded it couldn't make the DZ. The jumper with it called it "A ****ing waste of time and money" And so it was.
I've done MTVPS tho. Unnerving being lashed that close to a PJI who had garlic prawns the night before.
I launched a 1ton CADS on the Yuma range with a huge likely footprint of where it might go. It had a mind of its own for the first 3000 ft then when it responded it couldn't make the DZ. The jumper with it called it "A ****ing waste of time and money" And so it was.
I've done MTVPS tho. Unnerving being lashed that close to a PJI who had garlic prawns the night before.
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Dougie, I did not wish to antagonise Aeroid by mention of the J. Or the square window as Smudge referred to it last week.
In my day CADS only went to 350 lbs (may have been 400 with the French Square chute). We never got the French chute in what we called the Duplex bag which could be rigged for Freefall with the old Irvin Hightfinder so it was only Static line for HAHO.
I too spent a lot of time over the years at YPG with various crews. I used to sing a little in the Sage and Sands or Pop the Top. We also did stuff at El Centro and China Lake. We did the CADS Mk2 trials at CL in around 2002.
In my day CADS only went to 350 lbs (may have been 400 with the French Square chute). We never got the French chute in what we called the Duplex bag which could be rigged for Freefall with the old Irvin Hightfinder so it was only Static line for HAHO.
I too spent a lot of time over the years at YPG with various crews. I used to sing a little in the Sage and Sands or Pop the Top. We also did stuff at El Centro and China Lake. We did the CADS Mk2 trials at CL in around 2002.
ksimboy, Dougie et al,
I knew someone would know of the Canadian Tube. ISTR being on a Det to Souda Bay when they were trying a steerable version of the beast. The steering being controlled by one of the accompanying troopers through a wired up glove, with the thumb having the "circuit" and the four fingers contacts for forward, back, left and right. It seemed to work well during the daytime, we didn't try a night drop. I'm sure it must have been a "hairy HALO" trying to formate on the tube, steer it after chute deployment, and control your own rig. Great photograph Doug, as it's a J, are they still using the Canadian Tube ? Apologies if you have already answered this, I was only a GE and never understood acronyms.
Smudge
I knew someone would know of the Canadian Tube. ISTR being on a Det to Souda Bay when they were trying a steerable version of the beast. The steering being controlled by one of the accompanying troopers through a wired up glove, with the thumb having the "circuit" and the four fingers contacts for forward, back, left and right. It seemed to work well during the daytime, we didn't try a night drop. I'm sure it must have been a "hairy HALO" trying to formate on the tube, steer it after chute deployment, and control your own rig. Great photograph Doug, as it's a J, are they still using the Canadian Tube ? Apologies if you have already answered this, I was only a GE and never understood acronyms.
Smudge
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Smudge, The switches in the fingers of the gloves was CADS. The last version I saw had a weather girl type switch which fitted under a flap on what was the HAPLSS Gloves. (HAPLSS was the High Altitude parachutists Life Support System which included thermal clothing and O2)
What Doug showed was the Military Tandem Tethered Bundle.
The Canadian tube was a cardboard tube (concrete pillar mould) with wooden ends. It came down under a drogue till a hitefinder popped a round aeroconical at low altitude (hopefully after the troops had popped their square mains.
MTTB, CADS and ski packs under 28ft Utilities used the tube. CADS also used a plastic rectangular box. The payload of such systems was very poor. The cardboard tube and wooden bits was very heavy.
If ever cut away the MTTB used a CYPRES as in use with the skydiving community.
I will try and find a picture of CADs for you.
What Doug showed was the Military Tandem Tethered Bundle.
The Canadian tube was a cardboard tube (concrete pillar mould) with wooden ends. It came down under a drogue till a hitefinder popped a round aeroconical at low altitude (hopefully after the troops had popped their square mains.
MTTB, CADS and ski packs under 28ft Utilities used the tube. CADS also used a plastic rectangular box. The payload of such systems was very poor. The cardboard tube and wooden bits was very heavy.
If ever cut away the MTTB used a CYPRES as in use with the skydiving community.
I will try and find a picture of CADs for you.
Drag,
Thank you very much for that. Obviously what I saw was obviously CADS then. Obviously I never felt that I had "the need to know", on the SF Dets, my job was to ensure the crew had a serviceable platform for them to jump from. YLSNED, as they say
Smudge
Thank you very much for that. Obviously what I saw was obviously CADS then. Obviously I never felt that I had "the need to know", on the SF Dets, my job was to ensure the crew had a serviceable platform for them to jump from. YLSNED, as they say
Smudge
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Eng support on Dets
Smuj.
There were only a select few G.E.s who were considered top bananas for the role and the social side of certain Dets. You were one such. Hope the experience didn't scar you for life. Happy days
There were only a select few G.E.s who were considered top bananas for the role and the social side of certain Dets. You were one such. Hope the experience didn't scar you for life. Happy days
Doug,
No way was I scarred, though a bit broken at the end. Of 30 years in the RAF, my best few years were when I served as an Aircraft Ground Engineer on Albert. For someone previously confined to hangars and flight lines, this was a different world, and I reckon Gopher 01 would support that contention. I thinks I was a very lucky bloke to get the opportunity.
Smudge
No way was I scarred, though a bit broken at the end. Of 30 years in the RAF, my best few years were when I served as an Aircraft Ground Engineer on Albert. For someone previously confined to hangars and flight lines, this was a different world, and I reckon Gopher 01 would support that contention. I thinks I was a very lucky bloke to get the opportunity.
Smudge
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Canadian tube
On a drop in Norway the chute on the tube malled. Nav plotted where it could have landed and we set off and found it in the snow. DZ party then went out and retrieved it. The snow and the packing did a good job. Full of skis and only two were damaged and even those were able to be bound and made reasonably useful.
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Touch gloves
Had one of these loads just exit stage right once despatched. It was a trial at China Lake and the trial team hadn't checked the frequency with all other agencies. Surprise surprise with all the transmitters in the area there was a clash of freqs.
OK Gentlemen,
I came across this, very poor vid on YewToob recently ;
http://youtu.be/oYBNKH3sJI0
Is this representative of procedures ? I see lots of high ground, a fly by to warn people off the strip. Anyone recognise the strip ? What sort of altitude was it ? And what sort of load could be put in there by Albert ? I'm sure there's a few out there who could answer these queries, without breaching OPSEC.
On the subject of Ethiopia, anyone know this chap ?
http://youtu.be/AXiHO3pkrns
Or this one ;
http://youtu.be/G4QLv9yV7gA
Over to you.
Smudge
I came across this, very poor vid on YewToob recently ;
http://youtu.be/oYBNKH3sJI0
Is this representative of procedures ? I see lots of high ground, a fly by to warn people off the strip. Anyone recognise the strip ? What sort of altitude was it ? And what sort of load could be put in there by Albert ? I'm sure there's a few out there who could answer these queries, without breaching OPSEC.
On the subject of Ethiopia, anyone know this chap ?
http://youtu.be/AXiHO3pkrns
Or this one ;
http://youtu.be/G4QLv9yV7gA
Over to you.
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 6th May 2015 at 19:39. Reason: Additional content
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Stories from the flight deck
Smuj
These interviews were done before this excellent thread afforded the opportunity to relate tales of derring and not so derring do. To be dragged out of a Squadron reunion and plonked in a museum piece Herc (Note all the blanking plates on the Nav panel where the kit has been removed) to tell your story removed the veil of anonymity. This is a great forum to state your case in relative obscurity.
Long may it continue
By the Way. VE Day today does not necessarily mean Victory in the Election!
These interviews were done before this excellent thread afforded the opportunity to relate tales of derring and not so derring do. To be dragged out of a Squadron reunion and plonked in a museum piece Herc (Note all the blanking plates on the Nav panel where the kit has been removed) to tell your story removed the veil of anonymity. This is a great forum to state your case in relative obscurity.
Long may it continue
By the Way. VE Day today does not necessarily mean Victory in the Election!
Dougie,
Totally agree, and suspect they might both have been filmed at Cosford. At least some record of Alberts service in the RAF has been recorded on video for posterity. Meanwhile, this thread, under Coffs leadership, will hopefully continue to accumulate anecdote and pictorial records, as I'm sure you agree, there's more to come.
Smudge
Totally agree, and suspect they might both have been filmed at Cosford. At least some record of Alberts service in the RAF has been recorded on video for posterity. Meanwhile, this thread, under Coffs leadership, will hopefully continue to accumulate anecdote and pictorial records, as I'm sure you agree, there's more to come.
Smudge
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I think our chum AA62 is amongst those interviewed on camera at Cosford. He appears to have gone AWOL or did Coff sign his leave chit.
Also thoughts at the moment with our A400M pals.
Drag
Also thoughts at the moment with our A400M pals.
Drag
Seconded Drag.
Always sad to hear of such a loss. AA62 has obviously decided on a sabbatical, he deserves one after his contribution to the thread. Perhaps he's cadged a route on a J
Smudge
Always sad to hear of such a loss. AA62 has obviously decided on a sabbatical, he deserves one after his contribution to the thread. Perhaps he's cadged a route on a J
Smudge
The prodigal son has returned from his 'skive' to France for a week. Skulking at the back I did not think I would be missed !
I do not recall dropping the 'tube' but certainly dropped winter kit for those gallant chaps already mentioned. We used to drop a form of sled with skis etc strapped on and more than once during a trial the sled and the skis made their own separate ways to the DZ.
I had huge respect for the SBS who would disappear out into the night over the water following a Gemini or Zodiac.
Sorry to hear about the A400 crash but out of respect for them and their families and following TT's request I will leave it at that.
I do not recall dropping the 'tube' but certainly dropped winter kit for those gallant chaps already mentioned. We used to drop a form of sled with skis etc strapped on and more than once during a trial the sled and the skis made their own separate ways to the DZ.
I had huge respect for the SBS who would disappear out into the night over the water following a Gemini or Zodiac.
Sorry to hear about the A400 crash but out of respect for them and their families and following TT's request I will leave it at that.
I was interviewed at Cosford on the Herc. I had a stinking cold and a sore throat and could only croak but the show had to go on !