Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
Kilwhang #3014,
That must have smelled like a paraffin cooked toffee apple on shut down. Amazing that the little buggers can be so active in only a couple of days. I assume, as you suggest that the GE removed the intake blanks, that the little devils entered the engine via the jet pipe. In my day as a GE, some while after your experience, we were advised that if staying on the ground for more than the usual night stop, it was advisable to fit tailpipe and NACA duct blanks too. Perhaps as a result of your experience.
Smudge
That must have smelled like a paraffin cooked toffee apple on shut down. Amazing that the little buggers can be so active in only a couple of days. I assume, as you suggest that the GE removed the intake blanks, that the little devils entered the engine via the jet pipe. In my day as a GE, some while after your experience, we were advised that if staying on the ground for more than the usual night stop, it was advisable to fit tailpipe and NACA duct blanks too. Perhaps as a result of your experience.
Smudge
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Blanks
Smuj,
As you surmised, back in the day, the intake blanks weren't fitted as often as they should have been. They weren't in the best condition either.
In our case, the 'jaspers' entered via a poorly fitting (not poorly fitted) intake blank.
Years later, while on a trip to Johannesburg, I got talking to a local apiarist. He assured me that the average swarm of African bees can construct a large comb in about 12 hours.
When we did the compressor wash in Nairobi, we first briefed ATC and asked permission. The a/c was parked facing away from, and quite close to, the Tower. When the crushed walnuts dropped from the hopper and travelled through the engine, cleaning the compressor blades, a rather large dark cloud emanated from the exhaust.
ATC came on the radio saying 'ASCOT XXXXX, what is it that you are doing? Everything is black here.'
We, of course, apologised.
You may, also, remember the incident a few years later where an engine was started with a blank still in the intake.
IIRC the a/c had come from the hangar and the blank was lying flat in the intake and, therefore, couldn't be seen from the ground.
The 'powers-that-be' tried to finger the crew - in particular the Air Eng - but their accusation fell apart when it was discovered that there were four blanks in their correct stowage in the cargo compartment and that the offending blank was, in fact, an extra one.
The external walk-round check was amended to reflect the fact that inspection of the intakes is restricted from the ground.
Another fine example of Sod's Law.
As you surmised, back in the day, the intake blanks weren't fitted as often as they should have been. They weren't in the best condition either.
In our case, the 'jaspers' entered via a poorly fitting (not poorly fitted) intake blank.
Years later, while on a trip to Johannesburg, I got talking to a local apiarist. He assured me that the average swarm of African bees can construct a large comb in about 12 hours.
When we did the compressor wash in Nairobi, we first briefed ATC and asked permission. The a/c was parked facing away from, and quite close to, the Tower. When the crushed walnuts dropped from the hopper and travelled through the engine, cleaning the compressor blades, a rather large dark cloud emanated from the exhaust.
ATC came on the radio saying 'ASCOT XXXXX, what is it that you are doing? Everything is black here.'
We, of course, apologised.
You may, also, remember the incident a few years later where an engine was started with a blank still in the intake.
IIRC the a/c had come from the hangar and the blank was lying flat in the intake and, therefore, couldn't be seen from the ground.
The 'powers-that-be' tried to finger the crew - in particular the Air Eng - but their accusation fell apart when it was discovered that there were four blanks in their correct stowage in the cargo compartment and that the offending blank was, in fact, an extra one.
The external walk-round check was amended to reflect the fact that inspection of the intakes is restricted from the ground.
Another fine example of Sod's Law.
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eight legged friends
If you ever manned a night drop zone in the borderlands of southern California it's very dark. The only light is the impact point in the desert. Lots and lots of arachnids come to see what's going on. I sat on the roof of a Humvee with lots of insect repellent. I was told that they were mostly docile.
Rumour has it that when Prince Harry's det returned to Wattisham, all the unaccompanied baggage was left in the mess where the cosy temp woke up all the black widow shpiders hiding in the kit. Nice
Rumour has it that when Prince Harry's det returned to Wattisham, all the unaccompanied baggage was left in the mess where the cosy temp woke up all the black widow shpiders hiding in the kit. Nice
Kilwhang,
Nicely remembered on the blanks. I suspect the old Aluminium, red painted jobbies that were prevelant when I returned to Albert at Lyneham. By the time I was leaving circa 1997 the "front bungs" we're canvas covered pillows, of great luxury, I suspect likely to cause less compressor damage should they be left in on start. Certainly more comfortable as a pillow in the hammock
Doug,
Thank goodness I was only a lowly GE. I think that that spider might have seen me run back across the pond, without resorting to Albert Airways.
Sunday night question.
Anyone remember the "crew member" on the roof trick. ISTR used on Op Banner trips, due to their short duration ? I bet someone has done it or been aboard when it was done. If not, I'm happy to relate the version given to me by a very experienced loadmaster some years back.
Smudge
Nicely remembered on the blanks. I suspect the old Aluminium, red painted jobbies that were prevelant when I returned to Albert at Lyneham. By the time I was leaving circa 1997 the "front bungs" we're canvas covered pillows, of great luxury, I suspect likely to cause less compressor damage should they be left in on start. Certainly more comfortable as a pillow in the hammock
Doug,
Thank goodness I was only a lowly GE. I think that that spider might have seen me run back across the pond, without resorting to Albert Airways.
Sunday night question.
Anyone remember the "crew member" on the roof trick. ISTR used on Op Banner trips, due to their short duration ? I bet someone has done it or been aboard when it was done. If not, I'm happy to relate the version given to me by a very experienced loadmaster some years back.
Smudge
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Beasties
Doug,
You seem to have a penchant for nasty things in dark corners - it must be as a result of spending all those years in the nether regions of the Flt Deck.
Smudge,
I think the 'crew member on the roof' trick was discussed earlier when we were appreciating Pete Tyas.
You seem to have a penchant for nasty things in dark corners - it must be as a result of spending all those years in the nether regions of the Flt Deck.
Smudge,
I think the 'crew member on the roof' trick was discussed earlier when we were appreciating Pete Tyas.
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I think the 'crew member on the roof' trick was discussed earlier when we were appreciating Pete Tyas.
RIP Pete . . . you did make me laugh so many times.
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Anyone remember the "crew member" on the roof trick
Don,
You'll be pleased to know that M**k G is still going, and has even survived a hip operation. I did the same GE course as him, and we all thought he would become the "new" M**k L***y. I've done a couple of prop descents, as pulling the hatch release on the outside risked damaging the hatch, and possible delay, a serious no for AGE's
the Loadie/Crewman on the roof was certainly a good spoof, and done correctly, the squaddie witnesses seemed to gain respect for the "blue jobs". I think my first experience was on a Banner A with a Loady called P**e S***t, why is it always the Loady, and why are so many called P**e ?
S****e
You'll be pleased to know that M**k G is still going, and has even survived a hip operation. I did the same GE course as him, and we all thought he would become the "new" M**k L***y. I've done a couple of prop descents, as pulling the hatch release on the outside risked damaging the hatch, and possible delay, a serious no for AGE's
the Loadie/Crewman on the roof was certainly a good spoof, and done correctly, the squaddie witnesses seemed to gain respect for the "blue jobs". I think my first experience was on a Banner A with a Loady called P**e S***t, why is it always the Loady, and why are so many called P**e ?S****e
Don,
I will be glad to pass that on. But Drunken nights with moi ????? I rarely strayed from sarsaparilla
Ask Doug M. Could you have also contributed to my own "prop descents" ? Fess up young fella !!!
Smudge
I will be glad to pass that on. But Drunken nights with moi ????? I rarely strayed from sarsaparilla
Ask Doug M. Could you have also contributed to my own "prop descents" ? Fess up young fella !!!Smudge
Don, sorry I wasn't asking you to "come out", merely if you ever did the same to me as M**k G. Not that I'd mind, in those days it always offered a reason for some "afters". Your anonymity is safe with me.
Now gentlemen, I left Colerne, and Albert in 1973 to ply my trade with Kilwhang, only to return in 1985 at Lyneham (Global hub of the RAF C130K). In 12 years the wings that I had spent a year lovingly blending, polishing and retreating were thrown away, and new wings fitted. The aircraft also underwent major avionics modification and obviously the extra fuel plumbing. I wonder if those who remained engaged with the aircraft through my "missing years", might like to comment on the upgrades to the K, as opposed to the purchase of the H model and specialist MC130s for SF duties.
Now gentlemen, I left Colerne, and Albert in 1973 to ply my trade with Kilwhang, only to return in 1985 at Lyneham (Global hub of the RAF C130K). In 12 years the wings that I had spent a year lovingly blending, polishing and retreating were thrown away, and new wings fitted. The aircraft also underwent major avionics modification and obviously the extra fuel plumbing. I wonder if those who remained engaged with the aircraft through my "missing years", might like to comment on the upgrades to the K, as opposed to the purchase of the H model
and specialist MC130s for SF duties.
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Smuj, no problem; only did it the once to MG, he mentioned how he nearly missed the prop when he jumped so figured it was safer for GE's not to do it again! Went back to trying to do you in with alcohol instead!
Don, nice try on me, obviously failed. I still haunt the threads . Typical of MG, he believed he could fly in those days, as did we all. It was far simpler to clamber along the engine, grasp the prop and glide safely to the short drop to the ground.
Smudge
. Typical of MG, he believed he could fly in those days, as did we all. It was far simpler to clamber along the engine, grasp the prop and glide safely to the short drop to the ground. Smudge
Fergie, No probs mate
On the top Bunk. What a bloody mess. Although I have the impression that all these "panels" have only a tenuous grip on "our" terra firma.
Smudge
On the top Bunk. What a bloody mess. Although I have the impression that all these "panels" have only a tenuous grip on "our" terra firma.
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 20th May 2015 at 19:08.
Now chaps, having recently been on the receiving end of a suggestion of "rain windows" or some such, I have recently found this ;
Special Forces C-130 Hercules - RAF Special Forces Flights
As I don't recognise most of the "kit" that's mentioned here, I can only assume that these MODS were put in post my departure circa 97. No wonder the loadies work load went up though, the front end must have been working flat out to understand all that electronic input.
Smudge
Special Forces C-130 Hercules - RAF Special Forces Flights
As I don't recognise most of the "kit" that's mentioned here, I can only assume that these MODS were put in post my departure circa 97. No wonder the loadies work load went up though, the front end must have been working flat out to understand all that electronic input.
Smudge