Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
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AA62 ... I'm genuinely pleased that you guys are enjoying the opportunity to swap pics and share stories ... PPRuNe at it's best IMHO 
Not to mention that a few more Members can now post pictures
Not to mention that a few more Members can now post pictures
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Morning all - todays offering. I must post with a caveat-most of the pics I put up are mine, but some are not-a bunch of us pooled our pictures,especially during the Gulf War and memory has dimmed in some cases. I was talking to Stretchwell last night and it turns out that a picture I have always thought of as his, in fact wasn't. Bottom Line-If I post someone else's pic from the good old days, I'm not stealing credit and I hope they will forgive me
First up - Ethiopia food dropping
Same drop -different DZ-flew up in a Polish Mi8 to man the DZ radio-slightly perturbed by the 2 pilots quaffing vodka all day-after the days work, we got airborne and did a 'DZ Inspection' during which we equalled the world low flying record-luckily the soft tyres just bounced us gently back into the air and we sheepishly flew back to Addis-in fact they let me fly it back most of the way ! At the time, quite a feat considering this was still 'Cold War' days....
An interesting Det to Gib with a tanker and some Tooms - Just after the Aardvarks from Heyford rearranged Ghaddaffi's tents. There was a perceived threat against Gib so we formed the Air-defence for a while. Twas a standard ' bring a bottle ' war until we got a shout and blasted off to meet a pair of Migs (Mirages ?) racing towards the Rock. There ensued a surreal 20 mins of listening to the Tooms engaging and the exchange with C&C trying to decide whether to splash them or not. All ended harmlessly and back to the Mess for sundowners
Saying Hi to the lovely Pole-Evans family at Saunders Island.
This was taken about the time BA and PO & crew had their nightmare arrival into ASI in the great storm. Looks so benign in this photo. Be nice if either of those fine aviators could tell their story here to those that haven't heard it. It is one of the top Herc stories.
First up - Ethiopia food dropping
Same drop -different DZ-flew up in a Polish Mi8 to man the DZ radio-slightly perturbed by the 2 pilots quaffing vodka all day-after the days work, we got airborne and did a 'DZ Inspection' during which we equalled the world low flying record-luckily the soft tyres just bounced us gently back into the air and we sheepishly flew back to Addis-in fact they let me fly it back most of the way ! At the time, quite a feat considering this was still 'Cold War' days....
An interesting Det to Gib with a tanker and some Tooms - Just after the Aardvarks from Heyford rearranged Ghaddaffi's tents. There was a perceived threat against Gib so we formed the Air-defence for a while. Twas a standard ' bring a bottle ' war until we got a shout and blasted off to meet a pair of Migs (Mirages ?) racing towards the Rock. There ensued a surreal 20 mins of listening to the Tooms engaging and the exchange with C&C trying to decide whether to splash them or not. All ended harmlessly and back to the Mess for sundowners
Saying Hi to the lovely Pole-Evans family at Saunders Island.
This was taken about the time BA and PO & crew had their nightmare arrival into ASI in the great storm. Looks so benign in this photo. Be nice if either of those fine aviators could tell their story here to those that haven't heard it. It is one of the top Herc stories.
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Wonderful pics Chickenlover ... Thanks for sharing 
Yes please
Originally Posted by Chickenlover
Be nice if either of those fine aviators could tell their story here to those that haven't heard it. It is one of the top Herc stories.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 1st Jul 2014 at 11:48.
Ref the pic of a typical day at ASI. This is what it could be like (and a lot worse) at the other end of the airbridge at MPA.
I had a chat with Bill's ALM back at Lyneham got the story of the ASI storm trip but far better if anyone personally involved could relate the facts.
I had a chat with Bill's ALM back at Lyneham got the story of the ASI storm trip but far better if anyone personally involved could relate the facts.
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Chickenlover
Not first hand but here goes........
It was a "routine" Port Stanley to Ascension trip on 4th March 1984. C/s Ascot 8173 captained by Bill A........(one eye permanently u/s), co-pilot A well-known Kiwi then on his first tour on 30 Sqn, plus a junior nav, S******, plus eng and ALM. Down the back were 60 pax
. They being Herc and Phanton crews plus elements of 16 Sqn Raf Regt.
Fuel was 62k lbs. TAF at ASC was 1212 13015 9999 3CYU 018 TEMPO 8000 80RASH 6CU012= i.e. SE wind 15 kts, greater than 10 k viz, 3 oktas at 1,800 feet, temp 8 km in showers 6 oktas at 1,200 ft. i.e. no probs.
Cruise was at FL 230. 200 miles out weather was checked and was as forecast. Fuel at destination was going to be 13,700 lbs. Decent for a tacan to visual was begun. At 75 miles ASC advise WX was deteriorating rapidly....300 ft cloud base and less than a mile viz.
Wind was 6-10 kts and variable, CBs were building to the south west...Tacan to Viz, became tacan to tacan. First approach began at 0915Z with 10,200 lbs and descended to 350 ft QNH and continued to 1.5 NM DME before executing a missed approach.
Tower estimated viz was down to 400m as they overflew SS Uganda. It was also now very turbulent and there was active lightning from the CBs and the wx radar was totally obscured so its was useless as a nav aid. Four more approaches were made all resulting in the same MAPP.
On the 6th approach, started at 1003Z fuel was down to 5,900 lbs. Bill advised the crew that at 5,000 lbs he would transmit a Mayday, order lifejackets on at 4,000 and ditch with 2,000 lbs. The RadAlt was set at 200 ft. Meanwhile Uganda had readied her life boats for launching expecting an imminent ditching.
On the final approach, co-pilot doing the flying, captain PNF, at 1 NM DME the Eng calls lights at 11 o'clock. Captain takes control and weaves left and lands at 1010Z on a flooded runway. The tanks are dipped subsequently revealing 4,700 lbs remained. (The no. 4 tank guage was u/s). Total flight time 2210Z 3MAR to 1010Z 4MAR 12 hours.....
BZ to the crew!
Did not BA get a gong for this? Got to be worth an AFC IMHO. If I've lost anything in the translation my apologies to those involved......
MB
Not first hand but here goes........
It was a "routine" Port Stanley to Ascension trip on 4th March 1984. C/s Ascot 8173 captained by Bill A........(one eye permanently u/s), co-pilot A well-known Kiwi then on his first tour on 30 Sqn, plus a junior nav, S******, plus eng and ALM. Down the back were 60 pax
. They being Herc and Phanton crews plus elements of 16 Sqn Raf Regt.Fuel was 62k lbs. TAF at ASC was 1212 13015 9999 3CYU 018 TEMPO 8000 80RASH 6CU012= i.e. SE wind 15 kts, greater than 10 k viz, 3 oktas at 1,800 feet, temp 8 km in showers 6 oktas at 1,200 ft. i.e. no probs.
Cruise was at FL 230. 200 miles out weather was checked and was as forecast. Fuel at destination was going to be 13,700 lbs. Decent for a tacan to visual was begun. At 75 miles ASC advise WX was deteriorating rapidly....300 ft cloud base and less than a mile viz.
Wind was 6-10 kts and variable, CBs were building to the south west...Tacan to Viz, became tacan to tacan. First approach began at 0915Z with 10,200 lbs and descended to 350 ft QNH and continued to 1.5 NM DME before executing a missed approach.
Tower estimated viz was down to 400m as they overflew SS Uganda. It was also now very turbulent and there was active lightning from the CBs and the wx radar was totally obscured so its was useless as a nav aid. Four more approaches were made all resulting in the same MAPP.
On the 6th approach, started at 1003Z fuel was down to 5,900 lbs. Bill advised the crew that at 5,000 lbs he would transmit a Mayday, order lifejackets on at 4,000 and ditch with 2,000 lbs. The RadAlt was set at 200 ft. Meanwhile Uganda had readied her life boats for launching expecting an imminent ditching.
On the final approach, co-pilot doing the flying, captain PNF, at 1 NM DME the Eng calls lights at 11 o'clock. Captain takes control and weaves left and lands at 1010Z on a flooded runway. The tanks are dipped subsequently revealing 4,700 lbs remained. (The no. 4 tank guage was u/s). Total flight time 2210Z 3MAR to 1010Z 4MAR 12 hours.....
BZ to the crew!
Did not BA get a gong for this? Got to be worth an AFC IMHO. If I've lost anything in the translation my apologies to those involved......
MB
Madbob,
that chimes with what I can remember the ALM telling me. Perhaps someone who was on ASI at the time can describe the chaos the storm caused and of efforts to get the resident tanker airborne.
that chimes with what I can remember the ALM telling me. Perhaps someone who was on ASI at the time can describe the chaos the storm caused and of efforts to get the resident tanker airborne.
AA62 #620,
I don't think my gliding experience would have got me anywhere near the pole in that machine, more's the pity, but I suspect it would certainly outperform anything I ever flew. Now, a request by an old GE mate, who follows this thread but is no PPRUNER. Today we had a nice walk, and lunch, and even remembered to bring our wives back after lunch he was saying how he always remembered the photograph of he thinks, a pink Albert with around 90 degrees of bank on. We couldn't remember if it was from GW1 or a US detachment like Red Flag. Does anyone own/have that photo, and the info on it. I'm sure most have seen the one I mean, so it wouldn't be anything naughty
Keep them coming gentlemen, a cracking record of a hard working aircraft through its time in RAF colours, all of them.
Smudge
I don't think my gliding experience would have got me anywhere near the pole in that machine, more's the pity, but I suspect it would certainly outperform anything I ever flew. Now, a request by an old GE mate, who follows this thread but is no PPRUNER. Today we had a nice walk, and lunch, and even remembered to bring our wives back after lunch
he was saying how he always remembered the photograph of he thinks, a pink Albert with around 90 degrees of bank on. We couldn't remember if it was from GW1 or a US detachment like Red Flag. Does anyone own/have that photo, and the info on it. I'm sure most have seen the one I mean, so it wouldn't be anything naughtyKeep them coming gentlemen, a cracking record of a hard working aircraft through its time in RAF colours, all of them.
Smudge
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Tonights offering
(apologies if I repeat myself, my pics are stored in 2 locations )
One of my favourite snaps from Op Bushell-no editing-came out the camera just like this
The pic I thought was Stretchwells-any takers ?
Taken at Dunmail Raise in the Lakes by a dear friend of mine who was probably the forerunner of the huge gaggle who now frequent the LFS recording low flying and posting on the web.
One of the lesser seen nose-art graphics from GW1 - sorry about the crude editing but I'm not comfortable showing faces of those who haven't agreed to it.
She wore a bikini by the time she went in the public gaze.
Thought I was quite good at Fighter Affil till I got my @rse served to me on a plate by this guy - Colonel 'Fack' Acker I believe. Did things with that jet I've never seen before or since.
XV 206, affectionately known as 'Terry the Tractor' amongst other things.....
(apologies if I repeat myself, my pics are stored in 2 locations )
One of my favourite snaps from Op Bushell-no editing-came out the camera just like this
The pic I thought was Stretchwells-any takers ?
Taken at Dunmail Raise in the Lakes by a dear friend of mine who was probably the forerunner of the huge gaggle who now frequent the LFS recording low flying and posting on the web.
One of the lesser seen nose-art graphics from GW1 - sorry about the crude editing but I'm not comfortable showing faces of those who haven't agreed to it.
She wore a bikini by the time she went in the public gaze.
Thought I was quite good at Fighter Affil till I got my @rse served to me on a plate by this guy - Colonel 'Fack' Acker I believe. Did things with that jet I've never seen before or since.
XV 206, affectionately known as 'Terry the Tractor' amongst other things.....
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I recall in 66 the RAF coming down to Australia in a new K model.
Paint job was better than my car.
Watched the ALM pump down the ramp and door but the GTC was running. Showed him how to start the aux pump and hey presto could put the ramp up and down with them two little switches. Much easier when the temp. was around 90 degrees. He showed me his "handbook" which consisted of a page of handwritten notes. Apparently the RAF did not subscribe to the USAF pubs.
Talking to engineer found out he at least had a page and a half of notes.
Then the pilot turned up and indicated no auto pilot. Time I think to take a walk to publications and see a friend. Came back with a complete set books covering, flying, loading and tech services, they stood about four foot tall. Engineer and ALM are all smiles, at least it will give us something to read on the way home. Might even save your life you know says I.
Eventually the bill arrived for the books and my boss says "how are we going to get rid of this." I ring headquarters who agreed the publications could be written off to training.
They were good days the like of which we will never see again.
Every best wishes guys.
Regards
Col
Paint job was better than my car.
Watched the ALM pump down the ramp and door but the GTC was running. Showed him how to start the aux pump and hey presto could put the ramp up and down with them two little switches. Much easier when the temp. was around 90 degrees. He showed me his "handbook" which consisted of a page of handwritten notes. Apparently the RAF did not subscribe to the USAF pubs.
Talking to engineer found out he at least had a page and a half of notes.
Then the pilot turned up and indicated no auto pilot. Time I think to take a walk to publications and see a friend. Came back with a complete set books covering, flying, loading and tech services, they stood about four foot tall. Engineer and ALM are all smiles, at least it will give us something to read on the way home. Might even save your life you know says I.
Eventually the bill arrived for the books and my boss says "how are we going to get rid of this." I ring headquarters who agreed the publications could be written off to training.
They were good days the like of which we will never see again.
Every best wishes guys.
Regards
Col
Latest in the Thailand 'jolly'. You can almost see our co thinking 'I wonder if they would let me borrow it'. Brilliant pics from everyone. It must be a real eye opener to any 'lay' readers of this thread just what the 'K' got up to in all those years in service.
Found this pic from my collection just to complement chickenlover's very nice pic of ASI. An engine failure after T/O in the always overweight tanker would have been an 'interesting' experience!
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Gentlemen Pilots and Loadmasters ... A question if I may of genuine interest ...
There are a couple of pics on this thread showing kit being dropped using an extracting chute. I gather this technique was also used low level.
So ... Apart from bog standard Landrovers ... What's the heaviest bit of kit/load that could be dropped in this way ? I assume there will have been significant trim changes as the load started to move and finally exit aft ? So what was aircraft handling like during these type of drops ?
There are a couple of pics on this thread showing kit being dropped using an extracting chute. I gather this technique was also used low level.
So ... Apart from bog standard Landrovers ... What's the heaviest bit of kit/load that could be dropped in this way ? I assume there will have been significant trim changes as the load started to move and finally exit aft ? So what was aircraft handling like during these type of drops ?
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 2nd Jul 2014 at 12:46.