Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
ExAscoteer,
Like you I remember the "buddies" close in under the wings. A particular trip to Sersink at that time might amuse a few (for future posting) but only Albert, and a professional crew could do it. I do wish you luck with boosting Mrs ExAscoteer into the loft, my experience is rapidly leading me to the thought that I might have to go up there myself
Whatever, chickenlover is smack bang in my timeframe as a GE, and may well coincide with your own experiences. I see little or no intrusion from the FJ boys here, so expect they all respect who delivered their mail, parcels etc. Meanwhile, even at this hour, I'm off to try and get Mrs Smudge up in the loft again, I know I have some decent photographs somewhere. A good weekend to all, it may mean nothing to many but we are going for "beer up the bum chicken"(see the "My beautiful Webber thread) on Sunday, using Old Speckled Hen for the schadenfreude of it.
Re the HALO. On the El Centro I did, one of the Hooligans asked me to film his exit. Before we depressurised I positioned myself up in the RH side of the freight door (above the ramp) with a Mk10 Bottle ? Once the door opened (it looked a long way down) I used the troopers video camera to record his jump, and he seemed pleased with the results. Once we closed ramp and door, I clambered down and found that the MK10? was exhausted. At 61 years old I can only reflect on what a plonker I was.
Smudge
Like you I remember the "buddies" close in under the wings. A particular trip to Sersink at that time might amuse a few (for future posting) but only Albert, and a professional crew could do it. I do wish you luck with boosting Mrs ExAscoteer into the loft, my experience is rapidly leading me to the thought that I might have to go up there myself
Whatever, chickenlover is smack bang in my timeframe as a GE, and may well coincide with your own experiences. I see little or no intrusion from the FJ boys here, so expect they all respect who delivered their mail, parcels etc. Meanwhile, even at this hour, I'm off to try and get Mrs Smudge up in the loft again, I know I have some decent photographs somewhere. A good weekend to all, it may mean nothing to many but we are going for "beer up the bum chicken"(see the "My beautiful Webber thread) on Sunday, using Old Speckled Hen for the schadenfreude of it.Re the HALO. On the El Centro I did, one of the Hooligans asked me to film his exit. Before we depressurised I positioned myself up in the RH side of the freight door (above the ramp) with a Mk10 Bottle ? Once the door opened (it looked a long way down) I used the troopers video camera to record his jump, and he seemed pleased with the results. Once we closed ramp and door, I clambered down and found that the MK10? was exhausted. At 61 years old I can only reflect on what a plonker I was.
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 28th Jun 2014 at 00:05.
I recognised some of chickenlover's pics as having appeared in the picture book about Albert operations during and immediately after GW1 - it's nice to see them a bit sharper than the ones in my copy, and not cropped!
Said book also has a close in shot of a 9L toting escorting A-10
Said book also has a close in shot of a 9L toting escorting A-10
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Originally Posted by smujsmith
29 Palms Marine Corps Air base.
A close friend deployed there (from MCAS El Toro, in the middle of Orange County, Ca), and reported not a single palm tree to be seen.
The legend was that some hard-arsed base CO had them cut down because the shade might make his Marines too soft.
ExAscoteer,
did 35000 ft free fall trials in the UK when I was at JATE. Very cold once the ramp and door was opened. As the a/c system was not cleared for this height we had a special oxy supply fitted at 245 with the oxy tubes routed to the flight deck. We had to pre-oxygenate for an hour before getting airborne. Smudge when I did high level para I always carried an extra Mk 4 portable oxy bottle with a locally made harness. Whenever possible on these trials we always carried a safety ALM whose sole job was to see the 'big picture' whilst the other ALM carried out the SOP drills. At those heights any small problem could escalate into a major emergency very very quickly.
did 35000 ft free fall trials in the UK when I was at JATE. Very cold once the ramp and door was opened. As the a/c system was not cleared for this height we had a special oxy supply fitted at 245 with the oxy tubes routed to the flight deck. We had to pre-oxygenate for an hour before getting airborne. Smudge when I did high level para I always carried an extra Mk 4 portable oxy bottle with a locally made harness. Whenever possible on these trials we always carried a safety ALM whose sole job was to see the 'big picture' whilst the other ALM carried out the SOP drills. At those heights any small problem could escalate into a major emergency very very quickly.
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ExA,
There's a fair chance we have some of the same photos -I have one of 2 A-10s tucked in taken by the other crew, I'll check with the owner if he's happy to put it up here. Meanwhile,
If you like looking at Herc pics, try this link but be warned-you can lose many hours of your life in here-try different search parameters as a change of word can bring up hundreds of different pics -
https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=low+hercules
There's a fair chance we have some of the same photos -I have one of 2 A-10s tucked in taken by the other crew, I'll check with the owner if he's happy to put it up here. Meanwhile,
If you like looking at Herc pics, try this link but be warned-you can lose many hours of your life in here-try different search parameters as a change of word can bring up hundreds of different pics -
https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=low+hercules
Finals at Changi. Have you seen what they have done to Changi now ? Amazing.
I went back after 25 years and was a bit disorientated so much has changed and is still changing. The new Changi puts the UK airports to shame.
The next series of pics I intend to post will show anything but the 'K', but they will have a connection. If Coff is OK with this then I will post them with an explanation. Hopefully you may find them interesting.
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Originally Posted by AA62
Have you seen what they have done to Changi now ? Amazing ...
Changi Civil and Military (East & West) Airfields.
Image Credit : Wikipedia
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Trolling through an old logbook...
July 14 1983 Hercules CMk3 XV183 Elmendorf - 90N - Bardufoss.
A mere 10 hours, all day strangely!
On the North South thing ... Let's see who claims an "overfly" of either 90N or 90S
A mere 10 hours, all day strangely!
Coff,
thanks for the 'Green' and the pic of the new Changi. I still have my Low Flying Chart from my time there. When my son was 'posted' out there by his firm I took it with me and compared it to modern map of Singapore. Hardly anything fitted they have reclaimed so much land. The old Beach Road where they used to play is now about a mile inland ! I wish he was still out there but after nearly five years he opted to come home. Pity as he used to pay our air fare every year to visit them. Very inconsiderate of him not to stay !
Pic is of the Singapore Grand Prix of the era . How that has changed.
thanks for the 'Green' and the pic of the new Changi. I still have my Low Flying Chart from my time there. When my son was 'posted' out there by his firm I took it with me and compared it to modern map of Singapore. Hardly anything fitted they have reclaimed so much land. The old Beach Road where they used to play is now about a mile inland ! I wish he was still out there but after nearly five years he opted to come home. Pity as he used to pay our air fare every year to visit them. Very inconsiderate of him not to stay !
Pic is of the Singapore Grand Prix of the era . How that has changed.
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Welcome Bengerman
I may need a bit of expert help here from a friendly Nav ... come back quick Brian 
Bengerman ... (Just out of personal interest ... I know ... I'm a sad Bu99er) ... Would I be correct in assuming that you routed PAED direct to W/P 90N then direct to ENDU ? Clearly there is a Great Circle Route PAED (61°15′05″N 149°48′23″W) to ENDU (69°03′21″N 018°32′25″E) Direct. Initial Heading 5.5°N c. 3428mi ... but I'm not sure if 90N is on that particular GC (or more correctly I can't do the Maths).
Notwithstanding the above ... your 90N claim is accepted
Originally Posted by Bengerman
July 14 1983 Hercules CMk3 XV183 Elmendorf - 90N - Bardufoss.
Bengerman ... (Just out of personal interest ... I know ... I'm a sad Bu99er) ... Would I be correct in assuming that you routed PAED direct to W/P 90N then direct to ENDU ? Clearly there is a Great Circle Route PAED (61°15′05″N 149°48′23″W) to ENDU (69°03′21″N 018°32′25″E) Direct. Initial Heading 5.5°N c. 3428mi ... but I'm not sure if 90N is on that particular GC (or more correctly I can't do the Maths).
Notwithstanding the above ... your 90N claim is accepted
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I thought some of you chaps might find this of interest
Here is a link to all RAF Albert (K) Serials. Thats 48 airframes XV172 to XV223 and 18 airframes XV290 to XV307 ... ALL 66 !
The information is reasonably up to date in terms of "whereabouts" ... where you will see that some of the old "girls" are still happily flying
UK Serials and click the "XV" Range
Note also that there is an example photo for every airframe listed with the exception of of XV180 ... just 'click" the Serial No for the image.
Coff.
Here is a link to all RAF Albert (K) Serials. Thats 48 airframes XV172 to XV223 and 18 airframes XV290 to XV307 ... ALL 66 !
The information is reasonably up to date in terms of "whereabouts" ... where you will see that some of the old "girls" are still happily flying
UK Serials and click the "XV" Range
Note also that there is an example photo for every airframe listed with the exception of of XV180 ... just 'click" the Serial No for the image.
Coff.
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If you like looking at Herc pics, try this link but be warned-you can lose many hours of your life in here-try different search parameters as a change of word can bring up hundreds of different pics -
- Rumbling ****eheap arrives at RAF wherever
- Turn up at hangar many hours ahead of departure from RAF Wherever to watch flying besuited movers load pallets - everyone's heroes!
- Go through RAF Plod excuse for security - w@nkers
- Wait a while longer for the full RAF air travel experience
- Board and select seat - nylon webbing, for the use of
- Probably facing a pallet, approx 12" in front of you
- Insert earplugs - you'll need them
- settle in for 6 to 8 hours
- no conversation
- enjoy the in flight meal. White cardboard box with sandiwches (barely), Hi Drink (zero juice), dodgy crisps etc
- Bottom half of body - freezing
- Top half of body sweltering
- Whole of body - vibrating
- prepare for descent - and get soaked
- Land - taxi - ramp opens - daylight!
- arrive in Cyprus - more movers - W@ankers!
- Immigration - F1250 etc
For you guys who spent your lives in the cattle truck, well done! For those who enjoyed it.................it's easy to be satisfied when you set your standards so low!
S-D
Salad dodger,
"For you guys who spent your lives in the cattle truck, well done! For those who enjoyed it.................it's easy to be satisfied when you set your standards so low!"
It's a shame that you seem to want to blame the people who operated the aircraft for your own experience of it. I doubt that Albert was designed to provide first class travel privileges for those who thought themselves "above the rest", in fact the best freight I experienced was the stuff that came on board via a condec or forklift. Indeed, the cargo bay was designed around the standard US freight container, never a passenger in mind. Perhaps your whinge is better aimed at the "upper echelons" who decided to use Albert to carry the likes of yourself, obviously more used to the luxury of executive travel. I suspect many of us , on the fleet, suffered exactly the situations you describe, but someone had to deliver the mail, and a slab or two of Grolsch at Tabuk, Mid GW1 went down quite well I believe. I very much doubt that anyone involved in operating this aircraft set their sights low, whatever your experience you survived to be able to post your whinge.
Smudge
"For you guys who spent your lives in the cattle truck, well done! For those who enjoyed it.................it's easy to be satisfied when you set your standards so low!"
It's a shame that you seem to want to blame the people who operated the aircraft for your own experience of it. I doubt that Albert was designed to provide first class travel privileges for those who thought themselves "above the rest", in fact the best freight I experienced was the stuff that came on board via a condec or forklift. Indeed, the cargo bay was designed around the standard US freight container, never a passenger in mind. Perhaps your whinge is better aimed at the "upper echelons" who decided to use Albert to carry the likes of yourself, obviously more used to the luxury of executive travel. I suspect many of us , on the fleet, suffered exactly the situations you describe, but someone had to deliver the mail, and a slab or two of Grolsch at Tabuk, Mid GW1 went down quite well I believe. I very much doubt that anyone involved in operating this aircraft set their sights low, whatever your experience you survived to be able to post your whinge.
Smudge
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Salad
"Board and select seat - nylon webbing, for the use"
The last flight I had, I didn't get a seat, fell asleep on the ramp as no seats left !
Frozen solid by the time we came into land !
Overall the crew looked after the green machine very well over here.
"Board and select seat - nylon webbing, for the use"
The last flight I had, I didn't get a seat, fell asleep on the ramp as no seats left !
Frozen solid by the time we came into land !
Overall the crew looked after the green machine very well over here.
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Salad you missed off the list..
Please do not want a crap.... Please do not want a crap
Please do not want a crap.... Please do not want a crap
Smudge,
agree your post in respect of salad-dodger. As our USAF exchange officer said to one senior whinger 'if the RAF had wanted a passenger plane they should have bought the 707' ! If he does not approve of us 'sad old gits' and our pics and stories of life on the 'K' he does not have to read this thread nor post sarcastic comments. Obviously his service career was on a far higher 'plane'.
agree your post in respect of salad-dodger. As our USAF exchange officer said to one senior whinger 'if the RAF had wanted a passenger plane they should have bought the 707' ! If he does not approve of us 'sad old gits' and our pics and stories of life on the 'K' he does not have to read this thread nor post sarcastic comments. Obviously his service career was on a far higher 'plane'.
Now and again a lucky few of us would get a trip that could be described as a 'jolly'. My definition of a 'jolly' is one that goes to nice/interesting places, late starts and short days and coupled with cheap food and beer. Your definition may be different ! The trip I am going to describe fits my definition.
The more mature reader may remember that as well as NATO we had CENTO and SEATO. When I was in FEAF the SEATO top brass used to visit one or more of the member counties once a year. The trip I did was the SEATO visit to Thailand. We took 76 senior officers in our 'K' (not one complained not even the RAF contingent) on the following itinerary.
Changi-Bangkok
Bangkok-U-Tapao
U-Tapao-Korat
Korat-Ubon
Ubon-Nakhon Phanom
Nakon Phanom-Chang Mai
Chang Mai-Bangkok
Bangkok-Changi
Everywhere was a night stop (2 in Chang Mai) and the longest flight was 2.45
from Bangkok to Changi. Definitely a 'jolly'.
The pics (I am missing probably the same number again) were taken at different places, and which was where I know not. No doubt someone out there may know.
First pic is the 'portrait of the artist as a young man' wondering if they would let him fly it on his PPL ! I invite the readership to identify the a/c involved.
The more mature reader may remember that as well as NATO we had CENTO and SEATO. When I was in FEAF the SEATO top brass used to visit one or more of the member counties once a year. The trip I did was the SEATO visit to Thailand. We took 76 senior officers in our 'K' (not one complained not even the RAF contingent) on the following itinerary.
Changi-Bangkok
Bangkok-U-Tapao
U-Tapao-Korat
Korat-Ubon
Ubon-Nakhon Phanom
Nakon Phanom-Chang Mai
Chang Mai-Bangkok
Bangkok-Changi
Everywhere was a night stop (2 in Chang Mai) and the longest flight was 2.45
from Bangkok to Changi. Definitely a 'jolly'.
The pics (I am missing probably the same number again) were taken at different places, and which was where I know not. No doubt someone out there may know.
First pic is the 'portrait of the artist as a young man' wondering if they would let him fly it on his PPL ! I invite the readership to identify the a/c involved.
