Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
AA62
That's interesting that they arrived without a working autopilot. I only started my association with the Aircraft at Colerne in 1971. Someone once told me that the autopilot, like other bits, were "scavenged" from the Vulcan fleet, perhaps you could confirm that. Nice to see some pics of the inside of the aircraft for a change, mine tended to be of the outside.
Smudge
That's interesting that they arrived without a working autopilot. I only started my association with the Aircraft at Colerne in 1971. Someone once told me that the autopilot, like other bits, were "scavenged" from the Vulcan fleet, perhaps you could confirm that. Nice to see some pics of the inside of the aircraft for a change, mine tended to be of the outside.
Smudge
Smudge,
I think you may be correct in your assumption ref the autopilot. It had not been cleared by Boscombe before the 'K' entered service and this was the way it was for almost a year. So the pilots had to hand fly and down the route this became tiring. So we all had a go in the co's seat. As I already had a PPL this was fine straight and level but landing would have been 'interesting'. Later on I did several 'arrivals' but only in the sim.
The UK's insistence on replacing the US avionics with UK kit did cause a few problems. I recall looking at an ADF receiver on an early 'K' and it had BOAC stickers on it. And of course the fire warning coming on when we transmitted on certain frequencies on the HF. This could also cause the Doppler to unlock.
Will will not mention the CCWR will we ?
I think you may be correct in your assumption ref the autopilot. It had not been cleared by Boscombe before the 'K' entered service and this was the way it was for almost a year. So the pilots had to hand fly and down the route this became tiring. So we all had a go in the co's seat. As I already had a PPL this was fine straight and level but landing would have been 'interesting'. Later on I did several 'arrivals' but only in the sim.
The UK's insistence on replacing the US avionics with UK kit did cause a few problems. I recall looking at an ADF receiver on an early 'K' and it had BOAC stickers on it. And of course the fire warning coming on when we transmitted on certain frequencies on the HF. This could also cause the Doppler to unlock.
Will will not mention the CCWR will we ?
This is Raf Changi during my time on 48.
The Hastings pic is from a postcard at the now defunct Skyfame museum at Staverton, Tg 528 now resides at Duxford in Berlin Airlift markings.
When the young chap was showing me around 528 at Staverton, I put my hand down behind the soundproofing in the galley and pulled out a stick of paper cups and a pad of trim sheets . He was speechless.
A sadder note was that the standard trim fixed to the inside of the crew toilet door was signed by the AQM who was killed in the crash of XV 180.
Ex Ascoteer,
Steve Ryle was kind enough to let me post this shot of your display Herk XV292.
Taken at Fairford IAT 30 July 1994. I suspect no GE would have done that trip, Inthink they used to take a couple of Lineys! Nice Photo Steve, and thanks for the permission.
Steve Ryle was kind enough to let me post this shot of your display Herk XV292.
Taken at Fairford IAT 30 July 1994. I suspect no GE would have done that trip, Inthink they used to take a couple of Lineys! Nice Photo Steve, and thanks for the permission.
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Do any of you guys know if XV208 Snoopy is still flying ? I believe she was converted back from a W2 to a K ... may have done some service with the Dutch AF and then engine trials for the A400M with Marshalls at Cambridge ... saw her in the air once ... quite an impressive sight
Am I right in thinking XV208 served on 48 Squadron before she was converted to the W2 Met Snoopy.
Image Credit : Met Office
Am I right in thinking XV208 served on 48 Squadron before she was converted to the W2 Met Snoopy.
Image Credit : Met Office
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Snoopy went back to Marshalls and was used as the test airframe for the Airbus A400 engine:
Sadly the airframe is now being broken up. I believe the wings are being sold to one of the European herc operators. A pity really, such a unique aircraft should have gone to a museum.
PS. Yes Snoopy was an ex 48 Sqn 'frame.
Sadly the airframe is now being broken up. I believe the wings are being sold to one of the European herc operators. A pity really, such a unique aircraft should have gone to a museum.
PS. Yes Snoopy was an ex 48 Sqn 'frame.
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Initially at Farnborough and later at Boscombe Down
The flight deck crews were drawn from the Met Research Flight (MRF), however there were no dedicated Co-Pilots so Snoopy generally flew with 2 Herc Captains, one acting as Captain the other as Co.
On occasions where people were on leave then MRF would drawn on the main sqns at Lyneham to provide the Co.
It was this way that I managed to achieve so many hours as a Co on Snoopy.
The flight deck crews were drawn from the Met Research Flight (MRF), however there were no dedicated Co-Pilots so Snoopy generally flew with 2 Herc Captains, one acting as Captain the other as Co.
On occasions where people were on leave then MRF would drawn on the main sqns at Lyneham to provide the Co.
It was this way that I managed to achieve so many hours as a Co on Snoopy.
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I spent 11 happy years on the Herc, had some fantastic trips & flights on them as a mere SAC techie "erk"... My best memories were flying down "starwars valley" in Canada low level, spending a fair amount of time flying around the Falklands doing air to air refuelling & low level training, and my last ever flight on a herc, which consisted of being intercepted by a Typoon up in Scotland, then flying back to Lyneham low level all through Scotland, into wales and down over the Elan Valley dams. Stunning weather as well, was a fitting end to my RAF service. XV200 was always my favourite aircraft, it was the workhorse of the SF fleet & always seemed to soldier on, despite taking a beating nearly every flight!
Out of interest, does anyone have a link to the tribute to the Hercules RAF video, it had U2 playing beautiful day as the sound track? I can't find it anywhere on line anymore?
Out of interest, does anyone have a link to the tribute to the Hercules RAF video, it had U2 playing beautiful day as the sound track? I can't find it anywhere on line anymore?
Kengineer-130,
I couldn't find the video you referred to but I thought you might like this one made by the RAF Museum - it includes several people giving first hand accounts from the earliest days in RAF service. I wasn't aware of the JATFOR exercises referred to which involved 36 x C-130K flying low in close formation - must have been impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUVhEaK_OE
I couldn't find the video you referred to but I thought you might like this one made by the RAF Museum - it includes several people giving first hand accounts from the earliest days in RAF service. I wasn't aware of the JATFOR exercises referred to which involved 36 x C-130K flying low in close formation - must have been impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUVhEaK_OE
CoffmanStarter,
I never came across any proposals for JATO use during my time on the a/c. It should really be RATO as the augmentation uses rockets.
Perhaps it was suggested for SF use at some time but never used. We did have a Herc gunship but that's another story !
This is an 'official pic' of a 48 Sqn a/c complete with 'sun hat'.
Just to confirm XV 208 is in my log book from my time on 48 in Changi. First trip in her was the Honour Guard changeover to Korea via Kai Tak and then home via various places in Japan.
Pic of mount Fuji taken on the climb out from Yokota AFB. Known as 'Scenic Departure one !'
Found this poster of the 1994 Fairford IAT
Kengineer 130,
I also had the C130 YouTube tribute, it seems it's been deleted. As you enjoyed your low level through Wales, check out this nice bit of low level Albert (J though) using the "Mach Loop". A few other nice aircraft, but Albert at start and finish are best IMHOP.
http://youtu.be/gL-KV79UkQ
Smudge
I also had the C130 YouTube tribute, it seems it's been deleted. As you enjoyed your low level through Wales, check out this nice bit of low level Albert (J though) using the "Mach Loop". A few other nice aircraft, but Albert at start and finish are best IMHOP.
http://youtu.be/gL-KV79UkQ
Smudge
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