RAF C-130J's to be retired early?
Unless it changed very late in the day all 25 were purchased with probes. They became de facto role equipment from the outset in that no spare probes were procured and the servicing & repair margin was within the original 25. In the early days this effectively meant that the Mk5s were fitted with probes (trim) and any gaps in probe availability were held on the Mk4s. Clearly that changed for sure!
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What the military should look at with such things as the Hercs, is to sell them to a UK freight operator at a lower price than market value for civilian freight hauling operations, and get them put on the UK register.
Thus having them available as a reserve uplift capability if the need arises in case of war or other operations, RAF crews could then cross train / operate them on a part time basis as and when required...etc
To much thinking out of the box?
Think about it, the Berlin lift was carried out with pulling in ex RAF transports from civilian companies, so this would be similar, as indeed some of the Voyagers are farmed out to airlines..
Heck, the RAF could then by back some freight operation hours from the civilian company when they are more cost effective than the other RAF fleets.
Thus having them available as a reserve uplift capability if the need arises in case of war or other operations, RAF crews could then cross train / operate them on a part time basis as and when required...etc
To much thinking out of the box?
Think about it, the Berlin lift was carried out with pulling in ex RAF transports from civilian companies, so this would be similar, as indeed some of the Voyagers are farmed out to airlines..
Heck, the RAF could then by back some freight operation hours from the civilian company when they are more cost effective than the other RAF fleets.
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I cannot see why, there is a Lockheed produced Civilian Herc already. so there must be a way.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-assembly-line
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-assembly-line
cost of certification is likely to be pretty high............................ I don't think there has ever been a herc on the UK register?
would it be under CAP 632?
would it be under CAP 632?
Before the RB211/Tristar saga went sour there was a scheme to transport podded RB211s to the USA in UK registered Hercules. That got no further than the CAA who refused the bid as there are bare control runs accessible in the cargo bay.
I was always led to believe that 2 fire bottles for 4 engines is a no-no on the British register - but it could be an urban myth.
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There used to be civilian Herc in the U.K. we used to have pollution control ones here on the South African and Eire regs.
Theres civilian hercs there was 115 L-100 made for the civilian market, also the FAA allow american built hercs and other former military aircraft for firefighting. For some reason they are hesitant to allow americian built military aircraft on the civilian register. Helicopters seem to be an exception, its one of the reasons that foreign warbirds are popular its niegh on impossible to get american built aircraft on the civil register. They have to use foriegn aircraft like a friends father who owns a canadian built sabre
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Air Foyle/Heavylift operated several L-100s but they were leased Indonesian registered aircraft.
Most of the American registered warbirds flying in the UK eventually transfered to the G- register in the 1990s, there are still a couple of Mustangs on the N reg at Duxford but they are American owned.
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The amount of money wasted on various "projects" could have kept the "J's" for many more years. Remember who made the decision when he was Chancellor and now is in No 10. Not heard much from B*n W*****e last few days.
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None so far, the only Hercules registered were the 1930s DH-66 variety!
Air Foyle/Heavylift operated several L-100s but they were leased Indonesian registered aircraft.
Most of the American registered warbirds flying in the UK eventually transfered to the G- register in the 1990s, there are still a couple of Mustangs on the N reg at Duxford but they are American owned.
Air Foyle/Heavylift operated several L-100s but they were leased Indonesian registered aircraft.
Most of the American registered warbirds flying in the UK eventually transfered to the G- register in the 1990s, there are still a couple of Mustangs on the N reg at Duxford but they are American owned.
Parked at East Mids, it was the ideal airfield for oil spills at sea
https://www.planespotters.net/photo/...c-130-hercules