RAF C-130J's to be retired early?

[topgas]

The actual date of C130J retirement is supposed to be 31 Jun 2023

That's a date you don't often see

[Lyneham Lad]

Originally Posted by chevvron

The actual date of C130J retirement is supposed to be 31 Jun 2023 so presumably that will be marked in some way in addition to the flypast route on 14 Jun and the 'Kings Birthday' flypast on 17 Jun.

31st June??? Which calendar? Julian?

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by Lyneham Lad

31st June??? Which calendar? Julian?

I did say 'supposed to be' after all; it was posted in an earlier post on this thread and I just copied it!!
(Well that's my excuse anyway believe it or not)

[Guido]

Who will crew the final flights?

Will the final flights be crewed bt Sqn aircrew or Sqn/Stn execs"?

[ORAC]

https://twitter.com/royalairforce/st...HhlFHGKbTPQr_A

Eyes to the sky on Wed 14 June, as a formation of Hercules aircraft fly around the UK as a farewell salute ahead of retirement at the end of the month and transition to Atlas. The crews look forward to seeing you on the way, routing and timings here 👉

​​​​​​​https://ow.ly/xHGW50OJPSg

[dctyke]

If someone in the know could pop a flight path on here it would be useful, hoping to catch it between Leeming and Leconfield.

[Tommy Tipee]

Farewell Hercules flypast

A pity the route doesn’t include Thorney Island, original home of the OCU, to give we southerners a a farewell sighting.
Truly the end of a remarkable era.
.

[DaveReidUK]

The map's back on the website, still showing "Royal Wooten Basset"

[SLXOwft]

Originally Posted by Tommy Tipee

A pity the route doesn’t include Thorney Island, original home of the OCU, to give we southerners a a farewell sighting.
Truly the end of a remarkable era.
.

If the route is anything like accurate they could be overflying Baker Barracks/Thorney Island after all.

[Herod]

Thorney Island; one of the best ground-tours you could get. Two-and-a-half years as an Ops Controller, then the OCU, before departing for Lyneham.

I'll be at Cosford, quietly weeping.

[son of brommers]

As with other types that have gone on to continue life in an "historic flight" or similar setting, is there a plan to preserve any Hercs in a flying state in the UK?

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by son of brommers

As with other types that have gone on to continue life in an "historic flight" or similar setting, is there a plan to preserve any Hercs in a flying state in the UK?

Don't be silly, there's plenty of 'life' left in them so they're all going to be sold on to other airforces.

[Video Mixdown]

Originally Posted by Tommy Tipee

A pity the route doesn’t include Thorney Island, original home of the OCU, to give we southerners a a farewell sighting.
Truly the end of a remarkable era.

The map does show the route looping round the Thorney Island area. No indication whether it's accurate or just a graphic illustration.

[SLXOwft]

Three ship formation over south Lincs at present - formation practice? Alt 300 ft ! according to ADS-B Exchange. Including '870 which was initially thought beyong economic repair on return to the UK c.2020.

[Davef68]

If the route south from Lossie is accurate I might just see them!

[Scamp]

Quite something to see them over Scamp mansions in Wiltshire today returning as a fairly tight 3 ship at 1100 ft, catch em while you can folks.

[sfm818]

[skua]

Crying shame they are not passing STANTA or Sculthorpe, whih have been regualr haunts. So not probably won't trek across the region to say goodbye.

What a monumentally stupid decision to disband our Herc Force. Reminded of that every time I see a US SF 130J cruise past.

[airsound]

Speaking as an ancient trucky (Transport Command, originally….), I’ve been incandescent about the binning of the Herc. So I’ve been putting together a Letter to the Times, to be signed by a few aviation luminaries. And, believe it or not, t’Times says it’s going to be in on Wednesday 14 - to coincide with the big flypast. Signatories include a couple of former CASs and a former Defence Minister.

I’m aware that nothing will change - but I felt that something needed to be said in the columns of the Thunderer.

Of course, with all the extraordinary news that’s around just now, it might not appear. But I’m hopeful.

airsound

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by airsound

Speaking as an ancient trucky (Transport Command, originally….), I’ve been incandescent about the binning of the Herc. So I’ve been putting together a Letter to the Times, to be signed by a few aviation luminaries. And, believe it or not, t’Times says it’s going to be in on Wednesday 14 - to coincide with the big flypast. Signatories include a couple of former CASs and a former Defence Minister.

I’m aware that nothing will change - but I felt that something needed to be said in the columns of the Thunderer.

Of course, with all the extraordinary news that’s around just now, it might not appear. But I’m hopeful.

airsound

'The Times' has the same owners as 'The Sun' which excels in 'sensationalising' stories so maybe you should send it to them too. As you say, 'The Times' will probably 'bin' it in favour of some MP fiddling their expenses.