Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
November4,
292 I think, and nice to see the GE did his job after the group welcome photograph. Thanks for the memory though, ISTR doing a Deci Schedule in 292 in that finish sometime around 91/2
Smudge
292 I think, and nice to see the GE did his job after the group welcome photograph. Thanks for the memory though, ISTR doing a Deci Schedule in 292 in that finish sometime around 91/2
Smudge
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November4,
Damn right mate, whoever the GE was he should have sorted the props out, before the group shot. Anyone know if they had a GE ? If it was the Eng, he would have been more interested in having his photograph taken
Happy New Year to all fellow posters, before Fergineer has me banned
Smudge
Damn right mate, whoever the GE was he should have sorted the props out, before the group shot. Anyone know if they had a GE ? If it was the Eng, he would have been more interested in having his photograph taken
Happy New Year to all fellow posters, before Fergineer has me banned
Smudge
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Never worked with the Herc Force [except briefly at Stanley in 83], but may I say 'Thank You" for some great insights into that world? I have loved reading this Thread, and even understood a bit of it!
And a Happy and Safe 2016 to y'all
And a Happy and Safe 2016 to y'all
With regard to lining up the props, didn't ALSS and BLSS line them up differently - one line as XXXX and the other line with ++++?
Maybe as the photo is of a crew on a jolly they had 2 GEs to help them cope and they displayed their former allegiances!
Maybe as the photo is of a crew on a jolly they had 2 GEs to help them cope and they displayed their former allegiances!
WIDN62,
I believe sir, you have it absolutely correct. In days of yore, OC BLSS and OC ALSS decided to differentiate between their two organisations by one goin XXXX the other ++++ (I think ALSS was the latter). Arguments were had that it aided our aircrew in identifying at least the line the aircraft belonged to (no credence given as to their ability to read the aircraft number) All went well until a new OC Eng arrived, looked out of his window and complained of the "muddled mess" he could see on His flight line. Both OC Squadrons were summoned, the outcome being decided on the toss of a coin, which OC ALSS won, hence the ++++.
From a tecky point of view, it does go a bit further than that. I was always told that the No1 blade (the one with the yellow spot on it) was mechanically linked (via the Beta feed back shaft) and, if placed in the 6 o clock position, with a leaking shaft seal, could empty your prop hydraulic contents whilst parked overnight. It's also obvious that the ++++ arrangement had the bonus of offering some protection to the intake, and FOD entry. Well, lots to consider there chaps, I'm with MPN11, this thread has given some great insight into Albert in the RAF, thanks to all who have posted some great stuff for the past year, happy new year to all and let's get some more for 2016.
Not quite perfect, but one I put to bed personally.
Smudge
I believe sir, you have it absolutely correct. In days of yore, OC BLSS and OC ALSS decided to differentiate between their two organisations by one goin XXXX the other ++++ (I think ALSS was the latter). Arguments were had that it aided our aircrew in identifying at least the line the aircraft belonged to (no credence given as to their ability to read the aircraft number) All went well until a new OC Eng arrived, looked out of his window and complained of the "muddled mess" he could see on His flight line. Both OC Squadrons were summoned, the outcome being decided on the toss of a coin, which OC ALSS won, hence the ++++.
From a tecky point of view, it does go a bit further than that. I was always told that the No1 blade (the one with the yellow spot on it) was mechanically linked (via the Beta feed back shaft) and, if placed in the 6 o clock position, with a leaking shaft seal, could empty your prop hydraulic contents whilst parked overnight. It's also obvious that the ++++ arrangement had the bonus of offering some protection to the intake, and FOD entry. Well, lots to consider there chaps, I'm with MPN11, this thread has given some great insight into Albert in the RAF, thanks to all who have posted some great stuff for the past year, happy new year to all and let's get some more for 2016.
Not quite perfect, but one I put to bed personally.
Smudge
Marietta
Smuj,
There was a G.E., I did the props and the group photo was just before going up for the air to air photo sortie with a B25 Mitchell as I mentioned some time ago in this thread. the jolly included going to Denver to pick up some Marines who flew back with us on a rather crowded frame!
There was a G.E., I did the props and the group photo was just before going up for the air to air photo sortie with a B25 Mitchell as I mentioned some time ago in this thread. the jolly included going to Denver to pick up some Marines who flew back with us on a rather crowded frame!
Gopher 01,
All understood then young fella Obviously props turned as required during the B/F. Thanks for resolving that, why did I never get good trips like that best for the coming year M8.
WE 992,
Spot on Sir on the photograph. Many a happy night spent in that hotel. Bushy bushy steak nights were a must. Say no more.
Smudge
All understood then young fella Obviously props turned as required during the B/F. Thanks for resolving that, why did I never get good trips like that best for the coming year M8.
WE 992,
Spot on Sir on the photograph. Many a happy night spent in that hotel. Bushy bushy steak nights were a must. Say no more.
Smudge
Good shot Dougie M,
Were you ever on one of those when the flares set fire to the grass at the approach end of the airfield ? ISTR at least twice having the departure delayed due to intense smoke "outbound".
Top one is one of the French Foreign Legion chaps who had just helped us offload, the lower a shot from the "GE Position" as we joined the runway for take off. Sarajevo was a very sad event I reckon. But Albert did the job, as always.
Here's a shot you may be familiar with Doug, credit to the Co pilot who took it;
Smudge
Were you ever on one of those when the flares set fire to the grass at the approach end of the airfield ? ISTR at least twice having the departure delayed due to intense smoke "outbound".
Top one is one of the French Foreign Legion chaps who had just helped us offload, the lower a shot from the "GE Position" as we joined the runway for take off. Sarajevo was a very sad event I reckon. But Albert did the job, as always.
Here's a shot you may be familiar with Doug, credit to the Co pilot who took it;
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 7th Jan 2016 at 18:16.
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Gentlemen ...
I'm sure quite a few of you (including our growing lurker community) will have been stumbling about the loft to stow the Christmas decorations for another year ... So has anyone tripped over a mouldy old Nav Bag, crumbly cardboard box or other such receptacle containing RAF Albert memorabilia ... If so, please do share pics and stories ... All most welcome.
If you are one of our regular 'lurkers' to this thread ... Come on in and join the fun
Best ...
Coff.
PS. AA62 ... Are you back yet after standing on your head over the Christmas period
I'm sure quite a few of you (including our growing lurker community) will have been stumbling about the loft to stow the Christmas decorations for another year ... So has anyone tripped over a mouldy old Nav Bag, crumbly cardboard box or other such receptacle containing RAF Albert memorabilia ... If so, please do share pics and stories ... All most welcome.
If you are one of our regular 'lurkers' to this thread ... Come on in and join the fun
Best ...
Coff.
PS. AA62 ... Are you back yet after standing on your head over the Christmas period
OK Coff,
I wonder how many have one of these in their possession. Certainly easy to "acquire" circa 1971 at Colerne. By 1987 these had disappeared from columns on the K. Fess up then gentlemen, who has one ?
Smudge
I wonder how many have one of these in their possession. Certainly easy to "acquire" circa 1971 at Colerne. By 1987 these had disappeared from columns on the K. Fess up then gentlemen, who has one ?
Smudge
Still basking in the Perth sunshine not back for another two weeks !
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Old Photos
AA. you'll be burnt to a crisp in that 40deg heat.
Smuj. I would have preferred to be inside the airfield boundary at that height in Sarajevo.
Here's a sunset pic of Albert in sunny South California that I found
Smuj. I would have preferred to be inside the airfield boundary at that height in Sarajevo.
Here's a sunset pic of Albert in sunny South California that I found
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El Centro CA
HNY All.
The sunset pic was over Camelot DZ in the Superstition Mountain area of R2512 just north of NAF El Centro on the range where they tested the solid fuel rocket boosters. It was before the Ks got probes. It was on this range we trialled the BT80 chute. Boscombe gave us the drive distances in feet which we took to be yards like all other drops so the guys went out at 25,000ft, three times the distance from the IP. They called that det the "Walk back in Anger"
The sunset pic was over Camelot DZ in the Superstition Mountain area of R2512 just north of NAF El Centro on the range where they tested the solid fuel rocket boosters. It was before the Ks got probes. It was on this range we trialled the BT80 chute. Boscombe gave us the drive distances in feet which we took to be yards like all other drops so the guys went out at 25,000ft, three times the distance from the IP. They called that det the "Walk back in Anger"