Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
Upgently,
Welcome back, and thanks for posting that great photograph of RAF Alberts in RAF Colours (Light Stone, Dark earth (Titanine paint as I recall) and the gloss black underbelly). Your post is a treat for those of us who had our first experience in those colours. Stay well and keep posting sir, it's a joy to behold.
Smudge
Welcome back, and thanks for posting that great photograph of RAF Alberts in RAF Colours (Light Stone, Dark earth (Titanine paint as I recall) and the gloss black underbelly). Your post is a treat for those of us who had our first experience in those colours. Stay well and keep posting sir, it's a joy to behold.
Smudge
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Erewhon
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The colour scheme was referred to as Crud and Custard when I was at Colerne then 30 Sqn.
You just knew when we went to European Grey and Green that we were going back to the desert didn't you?
You couldn't write a script . . .
You just knew when we went to European Grey and Green that we were going back to the desert didn't you?
You couldn't write a script . . .
Brian,
How right you are. Crud and Custard Eh ? I well remember arriving at Aldergrove during the operation motorman resupply weekend, when us Colernite techies were used as liney's for that weekends movements. The paint scheme really stood out amidst the greens of the Northern Irish countryside. I heard a while later that the white band had been removed from the roundel as it made it a target for IRA snipers, also the white flight deck top. By the time they decided to change the colour scheme, I had left Colerne to help Kilwhang overhaul hydraulic components in Cyprus, as I remember 70 Squadron, operated both Alberts and Whistling Tits in the "Crud and Custard" scheme. I wonder if there are any photographs around of 70 in those days ?
Smudge
How right you are. Crud and Custard Eh ? I well remember arriving at Aldergrove during the operation motorman resupply weekend, when us Colernite techies were used as liney's for that weekends movements. The paint scheme really stood out amidst the greens of the Northern Irish countryside. I heard a while later that the white band had been removed from the roundel as it made it a target for IRA snipers, also the white flight deck top. By the time they decided to change the colour scheme, I had left Colerne to help Kilwhang overhaul hydraulic components in Cyprus, as I remember 70 Squadron, operated both Alberts and Whistling Tits in the "Crud and Custard" scheme. I wonder if there are any photographs around of 70 in those days ?
Smudge
Sorry Smudge, I can't remember. I am sure somebody from Royal WB will know. One of the other schools spelt out "BYE" which almost brought a tear to the eye.
These were some of the official photos, I have some of my own if they would be of interest. No swimming pools though!
These were some of the official photos, I have some of my own if they would be of interest. No swimming pools though!
I was in the High St as the 4 ship went over, the police gave up controlling the crowd as it converged into the road and controlled the traffic instead. I got some dust in my eye, probably from the K that was a bit lower than the J's,to avoid wake turbulence you understand! I got in my car and with heavy heart drove to work; at Brize. There shall always be a connection between RWB and the Hercules (J or K) we aren't partisan, that tide nor time can diminish.
I was looking through one of my log books for something else and came across this entry. On the 25 April 1996 we took XV 190 on an Op Resolute trip to Split via Paderborn to pick up the troops. The captain was Hptm S. A fairly regular task at that time but this one triggered a memory.
After landing at Paderborn the crew wandered off to the terminal but I stayed with the a/c as was my wont, and sat on the crew entrance door steps in the Spring sunshine with a cup of tea watching the world go by. Very shortly after the captain came back out to the a/c. There was a party of German schoolchildren looking round the airport and would I mind if they came to look round the Herc.
Of course not ! I was very happy to show anyone around even the Devil if he would promise to improve the heating.
There were about fifteen eight to nine year olds with a teacher who spoke English. So they come up the ramp and I point out the Elsan high on the fuselage wall in the stowed position. As usual this provokes much mirth.
One of them asks teacher a question and she translates. No we do not have to climb up to it and I demonstrate how it was lowered on the bungee. Another question , could they sit on it ? So amid much laughter they all took turns (yes smudge the lid was closed).Of course you never have a camera on these occasions.
So we carry on towards the flight deck via trying the seats etc.
Then the captain shows them round and they try all the seats.
When it is time for them to go I rifle through the pax drinks packs (always too many) and give them a carton each.
As they depart I start to laugh. Hptm S asks why. I said you can imagine when the kids get home and the parents ask them what they did at school today. 'Well we looked round an RAF a/c and all sat on the loo'
He thought it was amusing at the time too.
Just one of these little interludes that made the job.
After landing at Paderborn the crew wandered off to the terminal but I stayed with the a/c as was my wont, and sat on the crew entrance door steps in the Spring sunshine with a cup of tea watching the world go by. Very shortly after the captain came back out to the a/c. There was a party of German schoolchildren looking round the airport and would I mind if they came to look round the Herc.
Of course not ! I was very happy to show anyone around even the Devil if he would promise to improve the heating.
There were about fifteen eight to nine year olds with a teacher who spoke English. So they come up the ramp and I point out the Elsan high on the fuselage wall in the stowed position. As usual this provokes much mirth.
One of them asks teacher a question and she translates. No we do not have to climb up to it and I demonstrate how it was lowered on the bungee. Another question , could they sit on it ? So amid much laughter they all took turns (yes smudge the lid was closed).Of course you never have a camera on these occasions.
So we carry on towards the flight deck via trying the seats etc.
Then the captain shows them round and they try all the seats.
When it is time for them to go I rifle through the pax drinks packs (always too many) and give them a carton each.
As they depart I start to laugh. Hptm S asks why. I said you can imagine when the kids get home and the parents ask them what they did at school today. 'Well we looked round an RAF a/c and all sat on the loo'
He thought it was amusing at the time too.
Just one of these little interludes that made the job.
Last edited by ancientaviator62; 4th Feb 2015 at 07:20. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Good morning Gentlemen ...
Just stepping in to help Dougie post some interesting pics. I'm sure he will be along shortly to add follow-up commentary
I'll leave Dougie to assign 'Image Credit" as may be necessary ...
Best ...
Coff.
Just stepping in to help Dougie post some interesting pics. I'm sure he will be along shortly to add follow-up commentary
I'll leave Dougie to assign 'Image Credit" as may be necessary ...
Best ...
Coff.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
WIDN62 ... Although a little sad, those are outstanding pics you have there ... many thanks for sharing with us. Please feel free to add your personal pics ... we have a fabulous record of the K building here 
Best ...
Coff.
Best ...
Coff.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
AA62 ... PR like that is always worth the time invested ... it costs nothing and achieves so much 
And without doubt ... toilet related jokes for the average eight year old of any nation is going to cause a few sniggers
And without doubt ... toilet related jokes for the average eight year old of any nation is going to cause a few sniggers
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: M4 Corridor
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back "Down South"
The thirty year rule of confidentiality has now been lifted on the other side of Op Corporate and a little known or quietly hushed number of tales have emerged. The joint commanders in 1982 discovered that the long range C130 fleet could do all sorts of new things and this energised the imagination of the Senior Commanders' brains. An amazing number of suggestions for objectives came forward ranging from the daring to the outright barmy. All have heard of the alleged "one way" trip to Pebble Island and some years later in the Cameroons I asked a certain "Kiwi" if the plan really was to "slot" the crew to maintain the integrity of the mission. He was evasive in his reply which was chilling. That and other Spec Ops have been reported in a book written by Ewen Southby-Tailyour who was a beachmaster at San Carlos.
This thread is too restrictive to elaborate on the Dark Side of Op Corporate so I advise eager readers to check out Exocet Falklands - Untold Special Operations on Amazon. Find out what really happened. Thirty years on! Where did it go
Thanks Coff for the Art Work and AA I'm glad you didn't mention the oven (sorry about that)
This thread is too restrictive to elaborate on the Dark Side of Op Corporate so I advise eager readers to check out Exocet Falklands - Untold Special Operations on Amazon. Find out what really happened. Thirty years on! Where did it go
Thanks Coff for the Art Work and AA I'm glad you didn't mention the oven (sorry about that)
Last edited by Dougie M; 4th Feb 2015 at 09:42. Reason: omission
And here's LYE during happier times, taken during an air experience flight with the ATC in the mid-1980's. The flight seemed to be an instrument check of some sort, and the other notable thing was that the ALM was Belgian Air Force.
DH
Double Hydro,
we had two complete Begian crews attached to the RAF 'K' fleet at that time. One each on 24 and 30. They did not fly as a constitured crew but as individual crew members. I was the ALM Leader on 30 Sqn and I was fortunate to have Dirk van L as our Belgian loadmaster. A class act and all round nice bloke. I would have kept him if that had been possible.
The Belgian captain was Leon op de B. A great chap to go on route with and a bit of a 'character'. Happy times.
we had two complete Begian crews attached to the RAF 'K' fleet at that time. One each on 24 and 30. They did not fly as a constitured crew but as individual crew members. I was the ALM Leader on 30 Sqn and I was fortunate to have Dirk van L as our Belgian loadmaster. A class act and all round nice bloke. I would have kept him if that had been possible.
The Belgian captain was Leon op de B. A great chap to go on route with and a bit of a 'character'. Happy times.
